Is the ACCA qualification difficult?

The world-renowned ACCA qualification is hugely popular amongst students aspiring to a global career in accounting. As a professional accounting body with 219,000 members and 527,000 students in 178 countries, ACCA is not only well known but highly respected. 

As a student preparing to study for the ACCA papers, you may have a few questions in mind. Though, the most prevalent and commonly asked question is exactly how tough are the exams and what is the ACCA pass rate. 

While there is no straightforward way to answer if the ACCA exam is tough or not, studying for the 13 exams requires a lot of time and dedication. It’s best to get an early start and take your preparations seriously if you want to pass the exams. Here is a quick guide on how to study ACCA and gain the desired result. 

Preparing for ACCA 

 Preparing for a globally recognized qualification that also gives you Certified Chartered Accountant status along with membership to the ACCA body won’t always be a walk in the park. You will have to invest time and follow a strict study regime to be able to cover the vast curriculum of the qualification. 

 Looking more closely at what is required of ACCA students, Alan Hatfield, ACCA Executive Director Strategy and Development, said: "The exams require demonstration of the skills employers expect, as they replicate the real workplace using spreadsheet and word processing skills, as well as testing technical skills.”

The aim of the ACCA qualification is to train the next generation of trained accountancy professionals who are ready to thrive in a number of sectors within the business world.

Students have to demonstrate that they have the right learning and skills to pass the all-important exams. The ACCA pass rate ranges from 30% to as high as 80%, with this percentage differing according to the ACCA subjects. Having access to the right learning materials and ensuring you have a thorough study schedule in place will maximise your chances of success.

ACCA preparatory courses  

While some students study on their own for the ACCA exam, many prefer taking up a preparatory course to gain an added advantage. Getting acquainted with the ACCA syllabus is not easy and to avoid getting overwhelmed, it’s best to turn towards trusted learning providers.  

ACCA has a few learning partners that are completely equipped to teach students through the right learning tools and coursework to help them pass the exams. These advanced programs will be taught by an experienced tutor who not only guides students through the curriculum but also addresses each topic at length. They offer individual support to each student and are available to answer any query you might have. 

An additional benefit that these courses carry is that they streamline your study schedule by ensuring you dedicate allotted hours to each ACCA subject. Time-management during self-study can be tough and therefore pursuing a preparatory course will help you to focus on your studies and become thoroughly prepared for the ACCA papers. 

Take a lot of breaks  

While we stress the importance of hard work in order to pass the ACCA, it’s important to plan your study time carefully rather than taking on the large load altogether. 

This means start revising early, take full benefit of ACCA preparatory courses, and schedule in a solid amount of breaks. Give your mind and body adequate rest in order to avoid getting too stressed. 

If you have already applied for the ACCA exam or are planning to do so then check out the preparatory ACCA ​Course offered by LSBF Singapore. We are an established business school that is also a Platinum Approved Learning Partner of ACCA which won the Excellence in Curriculum and Assessment award in 2018 for our outstanding contribution towards education. Interested students can choose between standard and premium ACCA Course packages as per their learning and revision needs. Click on the link to find out more!