Queries on the Format of the exam

Hi there,

I just have two queries more so on the technical side of SBL that I’d appreciate if they could be clarified on, ready for the sitting next Tuesday.

1) Mark allocation
Now some of my colleagues seemed to think if you took 1 hour to plan, that you’d have 1.8 minutes per mark (180 minutes left / 100 marks)

But when I did my research on the ACCA videos, they state that you should earn professional marks whilst writing your answer and that they don’t take anymore time and therefore the allocation should be:

Let’s say: 1 hour planning then (180/80 technical marks) = 2.4 minutes a mark

Could you confirm if both approaches are correct or if the ACCA one seems most appropriate?

2) Technique advice on how to interpret the volume of exhibits

I feel confident on most of the technical knowledge and even application to the case, however after mocks, my main panic always is ensuring I make a good enough plan and instead I feel I waste time highlighting for no reason.

Could you please give any tips to go through the exhibits efficiently? I’m not sure if it’s better to read the exhibits first then again writing notes, or to try and mark whilst reading but then I find you don’t take in the exhibit

I’ve watched the ACCA prep video on this but would appreciate any tips you’ve observed that work well

Thanks for your help in advance 🙂