Option Papers

This is,I guess,a common dilemma amongst us ACCA students!

Well, the question of choosing the 2 optional papers is a personal choice and it can be difficult to make a choice.

So, to make this choice a bit easy let’s consider some factors that hopefully will help you to come to a decision.

The good thing is you are already sure about one paper, leaving you to decide about just one more.

– Past performance in a related F-paper:

It is good to make a decision on how well you have done on a F-paper that is carries forward both “the knowledge and skills” required for the P-paper.
If you have understood the subject content well and have developed skills at F-level (and have passed too) then it is better that you go with the P-paper that is related to this. Because it is very important that you have a sound understanding and are able to apply that knowledge you gained at F-level well!

Below find a link which gives guidance on what to expect from P-level paper as compared with its related F-level paper. (there are further links within this link)

https://www.accaglobal.com/my/en/student/sa/study-skills/options-papers.html

– Subject that interests you:

I strongly believe if you find something interesting you tend to do that well since interest helps retain focus.
No matter how hard a subject is, if you find it interesting then you may want to go with that.
To what you have mentioned, you found F5 interesting.

– The type of learner you are:

So the question here is are you a student who loves technicality and a lot of rules? Then P4 (which you have already chosen) and P6 may be your subject.
Or are you a student who enjoys and relays more on applied understanding? Then P5 and/or P7 may be your subject.

Your personal exam technique matters a lot…which one do you depend upon when you study!

– The tutor of the subject:

If you prepare for your exams from a place where the same tutor teaches both the F and P paper of that subject (like here at OpenTuition!) and you had a good learning experience with them then you may want to choose that subject. And Why? Again, the principle of subject interest applies here too!

– Career Path:

This is one is I guess really important. You may want to choose the subject in which you may want to set a career in or specialise in.
for example, if you wish to be an auditor it is better to choose the P7(AAA).
But again, if you have faced extreme difficulties and struggles to pass F8 and/or don’t find it interesting, there are other options that you can take for your career path after you have got your ACCA qualification.
We need to be sensible here, the current necessity is to pass and get the qualification!

– Pass rates:

Well, I know the past rates could be really daunting but I think it is quite risky to make a decision on the pass rates of the paper.
It is not necessary if someone found one paper tough or could not do well in that paper, the same will be applicable for you! Not Necessarily!
Different people find different things easy or difficult. We all have our own weaknesses and strengths. (That’s why I have kept this factor in the end)

In the end, all I can say is, take some time to consider your choice.
From what scores you have mentioned, you have done great in your past, managing to pass them in the first attempt.

You may want to look in this link for further info:
https://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/acca/global/PDF-students/2012s/sa_jul12_options.pdf

I know I have not given you the name of the subject that you should “preferably” take because as I mentioned in the beginning; I believe that is your personal choice. Just consider the factors above (and any other relevant ones)

Hope this helps.

I applied the elimination process – I hated PM(F5), so the advanced paper is not an option and, although I liked TX (UK) (F6), there is not much help for ATX and it keeps changing every year, so the choice become obvious…. it has to be AFM and AAA