Acca Resits

[Melanie Wendelberger]

ShouldACCA like other institutes (for example ICAS) set a maximum number of resit attempts per subject, for example a maximum of 3 resits per subject. On this basis take F7 as an example should students be permitted a first attempt and then 3 resits maximum?

This could ensure the integrity of the qualification, and ensure a high standard of candidate to progress through each subject and finally to qualification. There would of course be an appeal process for candidates with circumstances that need to be considered.

The 10 year limit is there for a reason and soon there will be another time limit. So I honestly think that allowing unlimited resit opportunities, does not lower the overall standard of the qualification.

I think ACCA should limit the number of attempts per paper say to a maximum of three. Allowing unlimited resists lowers the overal quality of the qualification. Like someone pointed out, anyone can pass any paper if they keep on attempting it over and over again.

Although ACCA try to promote itself as a global, when the real fact is that, most of the first world countries (where they have strong accounting bodies) do not mutually recognise ACCA in the same way as they recognise ICAEW/ICAS. And these countries recognise ACCA; they also recognise others. In another word, ICAEW/ICAS is more reputed in terms of mutual recognition. (Sorry, I am not putting forward the idea that, ICAEW/ICAS is better than ACCA)

I think that, ACCA is well aware of the disadvantages of the above points for student, but for commercial reason, they deliberately introduced these. To me, ACCA opened the flood gate for skimming from these floods, in the form of exam fees and subscriptions, and to have presence in more countries (quantity over quality).

So, definitely I agree that, ACCA must think about this 10 years time limit for passing all subjects and number of attempts on a single subject. And also an independent body to verify these pass rates with actual marks student obtained in a paper.

If anyone has still has doubt why ACCA will not put any limit on the number of attempts per subjects or time limit to complete the whole qualifications or most importantly, put some criteria to limit the student intake (to better quality, if I can say so); please just compare the student numbers and the percentage of the revenue generation from these numbers.

I also think that, this policy is making a student lazy and not to take exams seriously (there are plenty points to support this arguments, but at this point, I just want to stick with this thread topic only). A simple fact that, although an employer looks for various skills in candidates, but certainly that employer will prefer to recruit someone who passed first time than who failed few times, if everything else same.

absolutely. 3 or 4 should be the maximum. you could train a monkey to pass a paper if they had unlimited chances. really devalues the qualification when i see people saying they are on their 8th attempt. im like jeeez if this person ever passes they are going to have the same qualification as me but not be of the same standard, in my opinion.

if i failed any subject more than 1 time i would have lost heart and given up. why not admire the brute determination of a person who keeps failing but keeps trying.you need people like that in any group be it acca or your local club.i am not making light of the situation but saying dogged determination is something that will never lower standard for anything

resitting numerous times doesnt show determination, it shows a failure to grasp only 50% of the (relatively) basic content and skills required to pass the exams. if someone finds it so hard to understand and apply the key accounting knowledge and skills then maybe they are not cut out to be an accountant?

I think you will find thats exactly how they train and qualify. They train on the job and undertake exams during the period as well to fully qualify, they definitely dont get unlimited resits and yes people get rejected \ ejected and never fully qualify.

I just took F8 and though I passed, after looking at the perfect answers I expected a much higher mark. If you had a marginal fail, you should be able to look at your paper see where you have failed and if you disagree have the right to appeal.

also it is unlikely that someone would pass eveyr F paper first time but then not be able to pass P papers within 3 attempts. maybe the ideal would be to have a maximum of 10 resits available across all papers or something, so that if someone struggles with only one paper, it doesnt mean they are dropped, and if someone has to resit every paper 3 or 4 times then they are dropped because it is clear they are not cut out for studying the ACCA.

A lot of people that do this qualification do so as adults whilst juggling with a full time job. Surely the best accountants are not those that can show they can pass exams, but those that are able to provide the best service to their clients?

Modern accountants cannot just be technically brilliant to succeed, we lead, we set examples, manage people, business partner within organisations or with clients. This comes with experience as well as the accademics. The way the ACCA qualification is sat means they should let people retake, as students will be from different backgrounds with different responsibilites

I personally think that if like me people are struggling with just 1 paper they will keep at it till they pass or give up (lets face it theres alot of people that after 7 attempts would have gone running for the hill) This in itself will weed out the people that are not meant to continue on the ACCA.

There are also reasons why people may fail (2 of my F8 papers were done when i had glandular fever and the other the day after being made redundant) These may not be taken into consideration when asking for a resit (certainly didnt help me when i wrote about my circumstances and still failed both attempts by 2 marks)

I would like to ask you for info. Is it possible to take acca exams at random order? Let's say I first want to take exam on F4 , next I want to take exam on F1 and next on F4. Is it allowed or maybe one must start from F1 and go further with F2,F3, F4 etc?

Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.

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