By You’re sitting at your desk, calculator beside you, notes scattered everywhere. The ACCA exams are just weeks away. Your heart races every time you think about exam day.
You’re not alone.
Every year, more than 400,000 students worldwide prepare for ACCA exams. How do I prepare effectively? When are the exam dates? What’s the pass rate? Can I actually do this?
Here’s the truth. ACCA exams are challenging, but they’re beatable with the right approach. This guide gives you everything you need to know about ACCA exams in 2025.
•• What Are ACCA Exams?
ACCA exams are the core assessment of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification. They’re your gateway to becoming a globally recognized accounting professional.
You’ll learn financial reporting, taxation, audit, and strategic business leadership. These aren’t just academic concepts. They’re tools you’ll use throughout your career.
••• Why ACCA Exams Matter
Getting through ACCA exams opens doors worldwide. Your qualification works in London, Dubai, Singapore, or New York. Over 7,400 approved employers actively look for ACCA-qualified professionals.
In March 2025 alone, 90,707 students entered for exams, with 3,877 completing their final papers to become ACCA affiliates.
•• Understanding the ACCA Exam Structure
ACCA has three levels. Each builds on the previous one.
••• Applied Knowledge Level
Three foundation papers, each two hours:
“Business and Technology (BT)” covers how businesses operate, technology integration, and business ethics.
“Management Accounting (MA)” teaches cost accounting, budgeting, and performance metrics.
“Financial Accounting (FA)” focuses on recording and reporting financial information.
All use multiple-choice questions. You need 50% to pass.
••• Applied Skills Level
Six papers diving deeper into specialized areas (three hours each, except LW):
– Corporate and Business Law (LW): 2 hours, multiple-choice
– Performance Management (PM)
– Taxation (TX)
– Financial Reporting (FR)
– Audit and Assurance (AA)
– Financial Management (FM)
Each paper (except LW) has 60% objective questions and 40% constructed-response questions.
••• Strategic Professional Level
Two mandatory papers plus two options:
“Mandatory:”
– Strategic Business Leader (SBL): 4-hour case study exam
– Strategic Business Reporting (SBR): 3 hours
“Choose two from:”
– Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
– Performance Management (APM)
– Advanced Taxation (ATX)
– Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
All require essay-style answers testing analysis and professional judgment.
•• ACCA Exam Dates 2025: Complete Schedule
ACCA runs four exam sessions yearly:
••• June 2025 Session
“Dates:” June 2-6, 2025
Recent data shows 111,639 students entered, with 128,651 exams completed and 4,527 becoming affiliates.
••• September 2025 Session
“Dates:” September 1-5, 2025
98,551 students entered, completing 112,799 exams, with 3,807 finishing their qualifications.
••• December 2025 Session
“Dates:” December 1-5, 2025
“Results:” January 12, 2026
••• Registration Deadlines
ACCA uses tiered fees. Register early to save money.
“Standard Entry:” Opens 14 weeks before exams with lower fees.
“Late Entry:” Higher fees, closes about 2 weeks before exams.
••• On-Demand CBE Exams
BT, MA, FA, and LW are available year-round. Book anytime and get results immediately after finishing.
•• ACCA Pass Rates: What You Need to Know
Pass rates vary by paper and session. Here’s what recent data shows.
••• September 2025 Pass Rates
– Taxation (TX): 55%
– Financial Reporting (FR): 48%
– Performance Management (PM): 43%
– Financial Management (FM): 46%
– Audit and Assurance (AA): 46%
– Strategic Business Leader (SBL): 51%
– Strategic Business Reporting (SBR): 48%
– Advanced papers (AAA, APM): 40%
– Financial Management (AFM): 44%
– Advanced Taxation (ATX): 53%
••• Understanding the Numbers
Applied Knowledge papers have higher pass rates (60-88%). Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers typically fall between 40-55%.
Don’t let these percentages scare you. They’re benchmarks, not predictions. Students who prepare properly pass.
••• Toughest Papers
Some papers need extra focus:
– Performance Management (PM): 43%
– Advanced Performance Management (APM): 40%
– Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA): 40%
••• More Approachable Papers
– Business and Technology (BT): Above 85%
– Corporate and Business Law (LW): Above 80%
– Taxation (TX): 55%
•• How to Prepare for ACCA Exams: Proven Strategies
Preparation separates those who pass from those who don’t.
••• Create a Realistic Study Plan
Set specific weekly targets. Not “study Financial Reporting” but “complete chapters 3-5 and solve 20 practice questions.”
Block dedicated study time like unmissable appointments. Your brain responds to routine.
Sample weekly plan:
– Monday: 2 hours technical reading
– Tuesday: 2 hours practice questions
– Wednesday: 1.5 hours weak areas
– Thursday: 2 hours new material
– Friday: 2 hours mixed practice
– Saturday: 3 hours mock exam
– Sunday: Rest
That’s 12-13 hours weekly. Consistency beats cramming.
••• Use Official ACCA Resources
“ACCA Study Hub:” Digital textbooks with quizzes and flashcards through myACCA.
“CBE Practice Platform:” Familiarize yourself with exam software before test day.
“Past Papers:” Available through myACCA. Solve these under timed conditions.
••• Master Question Requirements
ACCA uses specific command words:
– “Calculate:” Show working for partial marks
– “Explain:” Demonstrate understanding
– “Analyze:” Break down and identify relationships
– “Evaluate:” Make reasoned judgments
– “Discuss:” Present balanced viewpoints
Read requirements twice before answering.
••• Practice Under Exam Conditions
Do at least three full mock exams per paper. Time yourself strictly.
This builds knowledge and mental endurance. Review every mistakefacebook.com/mzixan
••• Join a Study Group
Study groups provide accountability and motivation. Meet weekly to discuss topics, quiz each other, and share resources.
If you can’t find a group, find one accountability partner.
••• Focus on Understanding
ACCA tests application, not memory. Ask “why” constantly. Teach concepts to others. Connect topics together.
Understanding principles lets you apply them in new contexts.
••• Use Approved Materials
BPP Learning Media and Kaplan Publishing create official study texts following the syllabus exactly.
Approved Learning Partners offer structured courses with experienced tutors.
••• Don’t Neglect Ethics
Complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM) before Strategic Professional exams. It prepares you for professional judgment questions.
•• Common Mistakes to Avoid
••• Starting Too Late
ACCA papers need 150-200 hours of study. That’s 3-4 hours daily for 8-10 weeks. Starting two weeks before means you’re already behind.
••• Skipping Practice Questions
Reading feels safe. But exam day is different. Questions look unfamiliar. Time pressure hits.
Aim for 40% reading, 60% solving questions.
••• Poor Time Management
Three hours goes fast. If a question is worth 20 marks out of 100, you have roughly 36 minutes. Use that time, then move on.
Attempting everything adequately beats perfecting two questions.
••• Ignoring Examiner Reports
ACCA publishes reports after each session explaining what examiners wanted and where students went wrong.
Read these for your papers. It’s like getting answers to future exams.
••• Not Asking for Help
If you’re stuck on a topic for days, ask someone. A tutor, study group, or online forum can save you hours of confusion.
•• What to Do on Exam Day
- •• The Night Before
Don’t cram. Light review of formulas is fine. Learning new material doesn’t work.
Prepare everything: calculator with fresh batteries, pens, exam confirmation, ID.
Sleep properly. Set two alarms.
••• At the Exam Center
Arrive 30 minutes early. Don’t discuss the exam with nervous candidates outside.
••• During the Exam
Read the entire paper first. Five minutes scanning helps you plan time.
Start with what you know best. Build confidence early.
Check time every 15-20 minutes. Show your working for partial marks.
Answer every question. No marks for blanks.
Leave five minutes to review for silly mistakes.
•• After the Exam
••• Results Day
Results release at midnight UK time through myACCA.
“If you pass:” Plan your next paper. Momentum matters.
“If you don’t pass:” It’s disappointing but not the end. Learn from mistakes and try again.
••• Using My Exam Performance
ACCA provides detailed feedback showing your strong and weak areas. Use this to adjust your preparation for resits.
••• Planning Your Resit
Book quickly. Review what went wrong. Adjust your study approach based on feedback.
Don’t study the same way and expect different results.
•• Key Exam Information
••• How to Book ACCA Exams
Through myACCA:
- Log in and select exam session
- Choose your papers
- Select exam format (on-demand or session CBE)
- Choose location
- Pay fees
- Receive confirmation
••• Exam Fees
– Applied Knowledge: £100-150
– Applied Skills: £150-200
– Strategic Professional: £200-250
Book early for lower fees.
••• ACCA Exam Exemptions
Previous qualifications may exempt you from papers. Accounting degrees, CA qualifications, and some MBAs can provide exemptions.
Check the ACCA exemptions calculator on their website.
••• Practical Experience Requirement
You need 36 months of relevant work experience covering nine performance objectives. Record your experience through myACCA as you go.
•• FAQs
••• How long does it take to complete ACCA exams?
Most students finish in 2-3 years. Faster with exemptions and full-time study. Slower with part-time study while working.
••• Can I retake failed ACCA exams?
Yes. Retake any failed paper as many times as needed. Each retake requires paying the exam fee again. Complete the qualification within 10 years.
••• What is the pass mark for ACCA exams?
You need 50% or higher on every paper. No compensation between papers.
••• Are ACCA exams harder than CA exams?
CA exams have lower pass rates and intense competition. ACCA exams are globally standardized with more reasonable pass rates. Neither is easy. Choose based on your career goals.
••• Can I take ACCA exams online from home?
Some papers offer remote invigilation, allowing home exams under webcam supervision. Check availability for your specific paper through myACCA.
••• Do I need work experience before starting ACCA exams?
No. Start exams immediately after meeting entry requirements. Complete work experience during or after exams.
••• What if I run out of time in the exam?
Move to the next question. Partial answers earn partial marks. Blank answers earn nothing. Attempt every question briefly rather than perfect some and skip others.
••• Should I study one paper or multiple papers together?
Full-time students often take 2-3 papers per session. Part-time students typically focus on one. Don’t overload yourself.
••• How do I access my ACCA exam results?
Through myACCA on the scheduled results date at midnight UK time. You’ll receive an email notification if opted in.
••• What if I disagree with my exam result?
Request an administrative review within 14 days for a fee. Reviews check for marking errors but don’t remark papers. Success rates are low.
•• Conclusion
ACCA exams test your knowledge, discipline, and determination. They’re not impossible. They ensure only competent professionals join the global accounting community.
Students who succeed start early, practice consistently, use available resources, learn from mistakes, and keep going when things get tough.
You can do this. Thousands before you walked this path feeling exactly as overwhelmed as you might feel now. They made it. You can too.
Create your study plan today. Book your first exam this week. Take one step, then another.
Your ACCA qualification is waiting on the other side of consistent effort.