ACA Advanced

2. Study methods

Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online learning in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have study methods that suit different learning styles, to fit around your life. You’ll benefit from award-winning tutors, practical learning methods, and ongoing support, even after your exams.

Study methods available for this qualification

You can be confident in your exams whatever study method you choose, as we offer hundreds of practice questions and mock exams. We provide expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study methods and course start dates.

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Timetables - Classroom and Live Online

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3. Exams, sittings and resits

Timings and working towards a sitting

The ACA qualification is made up of 15 exams, advancing your knowledge across accountancy, finance, and business. When you complete the qualification, you will be an ICAEW chartered accountant.

You can take the exams in any order, apart from the Case Study, which needs to be attempted last, in the final year of an ACA training agreement. However, we recommend starting from the Certificate Level units first, then finishing with the Advanced Level exams.

At the Advanced Level, exams are computer based, and there are two exam sittings a year - July and November. Generally students sit three subjects together, or split between (Corporate Reporting (CR)/Strategic Business Management (SBM) July, Case Study (CS) November).

Students must be in the final years of a training contract to sit the final CS paper. It must be taken after or alongside CR/SBM exams.

CR/SBM are 3.5 hours long, and CS is 4 hours. The pass mark is 50%.

How long does it take to pass?

The ACA qualification is made up of three levels, each of which will take six to 12 months to finish. To complete the qualification, you’ll also need to have a minimum of 450 practical work experience days. Students usually complete the qualification in three years.

ICAEW exam software

ICAEW’s exam software has been developed to ensure the ACA reflects modern accountancy practices. This includes:

• Spreadsheet software that reflects commonly used applications. The spreadsheet contains standard functionality that allows you to make your calculations and adjust them if needed, just as you would in the workplace
• A word processor that auto-adjusts to the size of the response that you are writing, and allows you to copy in the data from the spreadsheet as part of the report (only the word processing section will get marked)
• Digital copies of relevant permitted texts such as the tax tables within the exam so that you can easily search for the content that you need.

The Corporate Reporting (CR) exam also includes Data Analytics software.

Resits

If you have failed an exam, don’t worry. There are exam resits and resit courses available. Contact Student Services to book exams and courses.

All Advanced (CR and SBM) resit courses include:

Prior to Exam Preparation course you will get:

• A resit diagnostic video, including examiner top tips, common issues, and study guidance
• Additional articles, tricky topic tutorials and additional questions
• A resit mock
• A resit guidance document
• Syllabus update document for any students resitting under a new syllabus
• Study planner
• Access to soft copies of the Kaplan Integrated Workbook
• Access to Kaplan’s Academic Support team to answer technical queries

You then attend a classroom-based Exam Preparation course and get:

• Access to Kaplan tutor
• Final marked mock

Advanced Case Study resit courses also include:

Prior to Exam Preparation course:

• Pre-resit mock exam (marked)
• Tricky topic tutorials (provided via MyKaplan)

You then attend a 5 day Exam Preparation course and get:

• Access to Kaplan tutor
• 2 days tutor-led preparation of a revision mock (Students attempt revision mock at the end of day 2, which is sent off for marking)
• 3 days tutor-led preparation on the real case study advance information (including around 20 exercises based on the real exam and a full 4 hour practice exam with illustrative script and marking key)
• Additional practice exam on the real case study exam (includes illustrative script and marking key)

Resit fees

If you need to take a resit, please get in touch with Student Services.

4. Study materials and delivery costs

Study materials

Classroom, Live Online and OnDemand students will receive printed and online study materials.

Materials included in the price of every course:

• Kaplan workbook

  Kaplan produced workbook that brings out key areas of the syllabus, integrates with online content and provides question practice.

ICAEW Materials

Purchased in addition to course price but needed for every paper.

All ACA and ICAEW CFAB learning materials are published in a digital format.

Students will access their materials through the ICAEW Bookshelf, and will be able to view, annotate and highlight passages.

Open books

These materials are specific to the paper you're studying and are purchased in addition to the course price.

Delivery costs

5. MyKaplan: online learning environment

MyKaplan is an online learning portal with additional resources, including mock exams, to help you prepare for your exams. Your MyKaplan account forms the core of your study experience with Kaplan, and includes the following:

Online features

• View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
• Contact a tutor directly using live chat. You can also email or request a callback
• Complete practice tests and get instant feedback
• Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
• See instantly when your assessments have been marked

Access duration

Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for.

Classroom
Eight months after exam sitting.

Live Online
Eight months after exam sitting.

OnDemand
Eight months after exam sitting.

computer Minimum system requirements for MyKaplan

6. Tutor support

We'll support you every step of the way throughout your ACA learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.

Provided by our Academic Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):

• Live chat (instant response via online messenger system)
• Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
• Discussion forum (we’ll get back to you within 4 hrs)
• Request a callback so you can speak to a tutor (we’ll arrange a call with you within 24 hours). Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students.

7. Testing and Mocks

We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams. All study options come with the following:

• Online learning modules

  MyKaplan interactive modules that guide you through each syllabus area.

• Knowledge checks

  10 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after an online learning module/classroom day during the Knowledge phase.

• Consolidation Test

  20 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after a number of online learning modules/classroom days during the Knowledge phase.

• Progress Tests

  Progress tests are exam-style tests to check your progress and get you ready for sitting your mock exams. A recorded debrief of the tests will be provided after you’ve sat them so you can tailor any follow-up work and concentrate on areas that need more attention.

• Tricky topic tutorials

  10-15 minute tutor debrief on challenging areas of the syllabus.

• Mock exams

  Mock exams mimic the real exams. They are taken during the Exam Preparation phase of the course and can be found on MyKaplan. They are marked by the Kaplan marking team, who will provide tailored feedback so you can focus on areas you found difficult or could improve.

8. Pricing structure

Subject prices can differ depending on your study method and location.

Subjects are all priced individually, so you can purchase them altogether (for a discount), or separately as you need them. This also helps you split the cost to make it more affordable.

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Enrol now

To enrol, download the form, fill in your details and send it to us via post or email.

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Funding options

Apprenticeships chevron_right

You may be eligible for an Apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. For more information, contact our Student Services team.

Employer sponsored chevron_right

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You'll need to speak to them to see if you're eligible.