SBL*** March 2023 ACCA SBL exam – Instant Poll and comments ***

I have a strange feeling that this was too easy and I wrote too little! ?

Bazakke question ( Book seller) Role of senior management consultant. I did 100% paper that's the best thing. There were some good parts , some average parts. Let's see what the result day will offer!

Got the same company! What was your recommendation for two proposals? And the last question on responsible leadership what did you write?

Phew- maybe my variant was also without responsible leadership because I don’t remember writing such answer! I feel this was too easy which makes me feel I didn’t write enough! ?

Oh! Maybe I got a different variant! Did you get any question involving presentation slides?

I dropped every now and then some words like - aquiring competitor business could only have apparent synergies and be a value trap if that operating profit is not reviewed to make sure the assumptions were relevant. There was value chain- i feel i could have wrotten better there! I think the paper was more about using technologies to improve competitive advantage… but yeah; i feel I waffled a bit in some parts- like part of risks and internal controls/ mitigations was very vague information in text.

I got the question at the end about leadership to motivate the employees, I feel that my mind went blank and I could of wrote more/better answers but I wrote that employees should be empowered and motivated with rewards and recognition in regards to customer service. I also stated that management should allow employees to participate and put forward ideas towards strategy to increase their motivation.

It seemed to easy but I think I waffled alot. I used SFA test and swot analysis that's it. No other model came to mind to use.

Genuinely thought that exam was OK. Believe Q1 was begging for SAF, but I went with what felt more topical headers like Financial Capital, Experience, Future Prospects, Properties. Literally used no models, bar the Internal Audit question as was clutching at straws. Last question was a slide on motivating store managers by the changes implemented. I used my risk mitigating suggestions in a previous question as the actual recommendations, which was a leap but thought it made sense. Good luck everyone! Only 6 weeks to wait... ?

What was the other exam like if there were two additions? The one I sat had the financial and non-financial benefits and issues for the two proposals on question 1. Question 2 was benefits of AI technology in the bookshop and warehouse Question 3 was on corporate governance and changes needed to convince the executive director to comply with the code ahead of looking to become listed. Question 4 was internal control weaknesses and recommendations and four lines of defence. Question 5 was the qualities required for effective leadership to motivate staff which was a presentation. Cant wait to review the exam answers when released as I feel like I waffled or didn't write enough in some areas Fingers crossed everyone!

Do you remember the 3rd requirement exactly was about changes needed? I had the same option as you, but I think I’ve just critically commented on what CEO and chairman discussed

Yes that was it, it did say to critically comment on their discussion.

I had the paper on corporate governance. Ran out of time for that. What did ye say for that question? It was an ok paper. Felt like I didn’t write enough thinking back

Before reading your comment I was sure I would get good marks on that question, now I feel I ignored the requirement I just critically commented the opinions.

I mentioned stuff on adding members to the board that were lacking

Yikes, am I the only that didn't finish?? Missed the first 22 marks question on x2 strategic choices as thought I'd have time to go back to it :( Felt the rest were answered ok but what do you think the chances are of passing having not finished the exam?

Good luck all

Does anyone write the four working days a week or work from home can effectively improve the staff motivation in question 5? The online book sales can be used more than the physical sales, so the working day can suggest to be reduced. Technical article has also mentioned this point.

Bazakke question ( Book seller) 1 Benefits and problems with Two investment options and recommend which option you should choose Average 2 Advantages to company by implementing Mobile technology Easy 3 Evaluation of comments between Chairman and CEO Average 4 (a)Risks and internal controls Deficiencies in 3 departments were given - Marketing, Procurement and HR Average (b) Importance of internal audit and whether IA should be conducted by IA department or external auditors Average 5 How can Co improve its competitive position ? Easy Role of senior management consultant. I did 100% paper that's the best thing. There were some good parts , some average parts. Let's see what the result day will offer!

Did anyone receive assurance mapping about 4 lines of defence question? I'm writing for all 4 lines of defence with empoyee, manager, internal audit & external audit based on technical article..not sure correct or not.. I also get the question on AI about how to use in bookshop and warehouse. The question mention do not write about online selling, so I just wrote how AI could help customers to find their books and staff will be more motivated in bookshop, help in inventory management in warehouse etc. The first question I didn't calculate much, just mention all the financial and non financial with pros and cons for evaluation skill..this part total 24marks.. Q5 I got the leadership quality to provide in presentation slides.. Overall I feel I think this paper quite need some common sense answer, will see how when the result out.

when you are in SBL exam 4 hours means four minutes

Hi all, What option did you pick for the first question? Whether to keep the capital city Bookshop open or to close the 10 shops located in the Northern Region? For the assurance mapping question - I was unsure so spoke about the need to manage risk, implement control activities, utilise internal audit and professionals - surely there’s some marks in there?! It was only 8 marks all together though. I found a lot of the questions required thinking outside the box as they didn’t give much information away, particularly for Q1 and the Governance question…

I left on SBL. I failed three times and P3 once and felt I knew the answer. 13, 34 and 36. I hope you all did well. ?

Did anyone get AP Tech paper???

Hello everyone, I am a finalist, waiting for SBL result but i got an email from ACCA register for June exam. Should I be worried or is it a generic email from the marketing team. Thank you.

Hi! I’m a finalist too, waiting for the SBL results and I also received an email from ACCA to book my June exam. I try not to read too much into it, but my mind always thinks about the worst case scenario. Let’s hope the email has nothing to do with the SBL resit.