ACCA Applied Skills

2. Study methods

Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have four 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 in this level

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

Study method comparison table keyboard_arrow_down

Timetables - Classroom and Live Online

Please click the link below for timetables of your chosen centre

date_rangeView timetables

3. Exams and sittings

Working towards an exam sitting

You must pass, or be exempt from, all six mandatory exams to complete the Applied Skills level. Each exam requires a score of at least 50% to achieve a pass.

All the subjects, except Corporate and Business Law (LW), are assessed by 3 hour session computer based exams in March, June, September and December sittings. LW is a two hour exam, and the English and Global variants are assessed as an on demand Computer Based Exam.

Corporate and Business Law (LW), both English and Global exams can be booked with Kaplan.

Book an LW exam

All other Applied Skills exams must be booked with ACCA, but can be sat at Kaplan centres.

Book an exam directly with ACCA

Exam sitting advice

For more information about which exam to sit when, and in which order, please see our ACCA exam sitting advice page.

How long does it take to pass?

Most students typically take 12-18 months to complete all six subjects in Applied Skills. From there, you can then progress onto the Strategic Professional level to complete the ACCA qualification.

Key dates

Results for March 2024 sitting will be released on 15 April.

Exam timetable

Please find the exam timetable on the ACCA website.

4. Study materials and delivery costs

Study materials

Classroom, Live Online and OnDemand will receive printed and online study materials, while Distance Learning students have the option of printed or online only.

Materials included in every complete course:

• Study text

  A textbook covering the full subject syllabus with worked examples and activities. We’re an ACCA-approved content provider, so you can be confident you're learning exactly what you need for the exam.

• Integrated workbook (Classroom, Live Online, OnDemand only)

  Helps you work through the syllabus, with room to write your notes. It helps you keep everything in one place to make it easy to study and revise from.

• Exam kit

  Included in the exam kit is our recommended revision approach, a revision plan, exam technique guide, and exam specific information. Ensure you’re exam ready with interactive practice questions replicated in the exam environment. Available 24/7 and covering all areas of the syllabus, you can learn whenever and wherever it's convenient for you.

• Pocket notes

  Our ACCA pocket notes are pocket-sized, brief revision notes that highlight and prioritise the essential topics you need to understand to pass your exams.

• Study programme

  In your MyKaplan course, this outlines the course structure, providing guidance on what to do, and when.

• Application modules

  Core study material that all students receive. It’s tutor-led with interactive tasks to help deepen your understanding of key topic areas.

To buy the materials separately...

You can buy ACCA approved books for each subject on this level from Kaplan Publishing.

Delivery costs

5. MyKaplan: online learning environment

MyKaplan explained (1m:18s)

MyKaplan is an online learning portal with additional resources 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 (UK only)
• Complete Knowledge Checks and get instant feedback
• See instantly when your assessments have been marked
• Access on mobile, tablet, computer or through the dedicated mobile app

Access duration

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

Classroom
Six months after exam sitting, with three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

Live Online
Six months after exam sitting, with three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

OnDemand
Six months after exam sitting, with three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

Distance Learning
Six months after exam sitting, with three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

computer Minimum system requirements for MyKaplan

6. Tutor support

We’ll support you every step of the way throughout your 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):

• LiveChat (instant feedback)
• Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
• Online community (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 not available to overseas students.

Ways to get support

If you think you'd benefit from additional tutor support while studying, we recommend the structured study methods such as Classroom and Live Online.

7. Testing and mocks

We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams. The tests provided in some of the study options include:

• Knowledge checks

  As you go along knowledge checks help assess your understanding of a topic before you move onto the next one.

• Consolidation Test

  This is a short assessment designed to be attempted mid way through the course, to show where your knowledge strengths and weaknesses are. It’s computer marked for instant feedback.

• Progress Test

  This is an exam that closely reflects the real exam format to give you an early indication of your progress. It’s computer marked (Section A and B*) and part human marked (except for Corporate and Business Law (LW)) to provide individual student feedback.

  *Section A only for AA

• Mock exam

  Practice your exam technique with a mock exam, which replicates the format of the final exam, so you can check your progress. The mock exam is computer marked (Section A and B*) and part human marked (with the exception of the Corporate & Business Law (LW) subject) with feedback provided directly to you so you can understand the answer and improve your own.

  *Section A only for AA

• Revision Question Debriefs and Walkthroughs

  Videos that walk you through an answer to an exam-standard question highlighting the correct approach to the question and how you could score marks. 

• Pre-exam workshop

  Available from September 2023, our pre-exam workshop offers the opportunity for focussed guidance from expert tutors to get you exam ready. The workshops will be tailored to those learners who attend to make sure everyone gets the most benefit from the session, but will include:

  • the essentials of exam technique such as presentation, time management, and CBE software
  • question debriefs with marked feedback
  • suggestions of additional questions to attempt based on common weak areas
  • additional tuition on tricky topic areas
  • the opportunity to discuss any final questions with your tutor and peers.

  In a classroom course you will attempt the questions on the day, whereas for live online they are submitted in advance of the session. Both approaches give you the valuable exam style question practice at a crucial point in your study journey.

• Test yourself

  Available for some subjects*, choose multi-choice questions from the relevant topics and create your own mock exam to test areas of the syllabus you want to focus on. This is computer marked for immediate feedback.

  *LW, PM, FR, AA, FM

8. Pricing structure

Subject prices can differ depending on your study method, location and the time you choose to study (if you’re choosing Classroom).

Go to our study methods page to learn more about each option.

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

Funding options

Employer sponsoredchevron_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.

Payment planschevron_right

Available for any course as long as the total cost is a minimum of £500 (before any discounts). Any available discounts can be applied, provided the terms and conditions of that discount have been met.

Classroom and Live Online course fees must be repaid over the duration of the course(s) purchased, up to a maximum of 12 months. The final payment must be made one month prior to the final date of the last course.

OnDemand and Distance Learning course fees must be repaid over three months per subject purchased, up to a maximum of 12 months.

Apprenticeshipschevron_right

You may eligible for an Apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. Speak to your employer to find out more.