[danni]

Went ok…. it seems like the software is way better than the last CBE exam I took last September. It wasn’t as slow.

[danni]

Hi Mikey200.

From my experience of doing the CBE for the first time, I thought the excel would be great and let me speed through the calculations. However the CBE practice test on the ACCA website is way faster than the excel spreadsheet in the exams.
I found today’s exam frustrating when trying to use the excel tool. It was extremely slow, the functions weren’t working. For example, I couldn’t copy the results of my 4 year cash flow into a new cell and the numbers showed up as zero. In the end I had to manually enter them but that leaves room for error…..

I felt like it made my workings look more messy as I ended up just using my calculator and it was so slow to even type in the cells that I didnt bother as I was under pressure with time.

However based on my location the CBE is more practical rather than an exam center so I would probably choose to do a CBE again but be more prepared for the excel.
I did sent a note to ACCA with my feedback as I feel the tool on their website is way better and the tool on the exam day is more like the excel sheets on your google docs in terms of speed.
Hope this doesn’t deter you too much and is helpful 🙂

[danni]

First Time taking CBE.
My version of the exam had
1) unbundling and acquisition of a company in the same industry.
2) forex hedging using forwards, futures and options
3) NPV, MIRR,VAR & duration.
I have to say I found the excel spreadsheet extremely slow and slowed down my entire exam with cells not copying and numbers not showing up.

[danni]

Hi Niki10,

I am in the same position as you. I am attempting to do AFM (3rd attempt in Sept 2020 and I took a break after two failed attempts) and hoping to also start SBR (1st attempt). Just wanted to follow up from your post in July and if you followed through.

Thank you awogbod2 for the advice. I noticed the pass rates were alot higher so was a bit more optimistic about SBR.

[danni]

Disappointing. I failed first time with 33%. However I knew I hadn’t revised enough so expected not to do so well. After this I took a full month off for pure revision in November and still failed at 40%. Doesn’t make much sense given the time and effort I put in for each exam with an increase of 8% 🙁

[danni]

Thank you. I actually did the F7 under the Irish / UK Variant. I havent taken any international options for any exams. So It maybe sticking with the UK is best.

[danni]

Hi,
Hoping you can help.

Does the syllabus vary much between the two options UK VS Int? I originally completed the majority of my ACCA exams based in the UK e.g I completed my Advanced Taxation exam based on UK legislation while working in the UK.

I am not in an accounting role and wont be for the foreseeable future (I mainly work in US Tax now). I am also now based in the US and have never dealt with UK GAAP before. Would I be better to stick with the UK variant or choose the international?
Is there only minor differences between the two?
And do you believe one course may have more resources than the other?

Thank you.

[Author]

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