SBL*** September 2025 ACCA SBL exam – Instant Poll and comments ***

Average

It was okay but I couldn’t manage my time. ?

I was stretched on time too. There was an overlap between data analytics and cloud based service. Did anyone make same points for both? What did people say for KPIs and financial data question? Wasn’t much to go off for a 16 marker.

Didn't use any models.

We were to critically appraise the results of the financial data and kpis? There was a lot to talk about if u did variances and further analysis

Yeah financial data and KPIs gave loads of potential for analysis looking at the variances, feeding nicely into the cost control point. Rest of the exam was fine.

Did anyone use porters 5 forces?

mine was question one on a partnership with a supermarket and then an assesment of stakeholders. task 2 was on AI and data analytics and task 3 was on internal controls and risk management.

I thought it was okay. Struggled on time tho. So surprising how 3 hrs 15 mins flies in there. My answers definitely could have had more depth and a bit more broad though. I did also struggle to talk much about the financial and KPIs. There wasn't much to go off to suggest what resulted in the 20x5 figures to make an analysis imo. All I could see was that there was growth in revenue but below budget and revenue growth did fall again (instead of increasing which is what Menu craft expected based on the revenue budget figure). Costs went up YoY which is expected since revenue increased. Yet it was below budget which shows potential cost control and good management of resources etc. All the various KPI's were also a positive and showed growth YoY. But wasn't sure what else to go off. Did anyone include anything different?

Do different countries get different exam questions? I feel like it might also be based on time? Everyone that sits the exam at the same time gets the same questions but when satat a different time, get another set of questions?

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I think as it was critically evaluate, so I commented more on why they didn’t spend the budget on marketing and procurement as it is vital to keep up with competitors and vet suppliers (AFSA) also made the point that number of deliveries was a bad KPI and should have been on time delivery %. Thought the slides were a little bit awkward, had to have an investor angle. Overall way tougher that expected, no real interesting strategy pivot and a lot on sustainability and ESG

For Financial and Performance KPI although I let them know that what is happening in 20X5 but I also used pre-seen data like growth is decreasing every year so this is might be a concern for the company Is it right or not?

Yes, definitely that was too much. The painful part was having to constantly scroll left, right, up, and down within a small window; this was very difficult. It would have been great to view the information in full, given the time constraint. It was really annoying.

It is certainly right to compare to the pre seen KPI's and comment on the growth trend. That will surely pick up marks as it shows you paid attention to the case study. Also, I agree. Viewing everything on one screen was so annoying. I would much rather have 2 screens. If that's not possible. They should give us printed versions of the case study and exhibits

Hi, looking for study buddies for the December 25 exam. Thanks

Same here. Glad I am not the only one who thought so.

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