1. Structure

Entry requirements

You no longer need to hold a prior qualification to register as a CTA student and sit the CTA exams, opening up the CTA qualification to anyone. However, the CIOT strongly recommend those without an accounting or law qualification register for the ATT - CTA tax pathway route to qualification. In addition the direct and indirect route to qualification will be merged, with all Advanced Technical papers available to all CTA students.

To join the ACA CTA joint programme, you’ll need to register as an ACA student first. When you get your ACA student number, you will be able to register with the CIOT.

Syllabus

2. Study method

3. Exams and sittings

You can sit the Computer Based Exams at any time

Students must be registered with the CIOT for 21 days before they can sit a CBE exam

Each of these CBEs will be of one-hour duration and made up of four different question types:

Multiple choice questions - where you will be required to identify one correct response from a choice of four.

Multiple response questions - where you will be required to identify several correct responses from a choice of up to six.

Drag and drop - where you will be required to drag the relevant answer to the correct location (called a “drop zone”) onscreen.

Select from a list of questions - where you will be required to identify the correct response from the options presented in the drop down box.

Each question type is worth one mark. You will be allocated the relevant number of questions to answer within the hour permitted for each CBE. At least 60% of the responses to the questions must be correct to pass each CBE.

The questions for a CBE will be selected before you start the test.

Some sample questions will be provided before the start of the actual CBE in order to allow you to familiarise yourself with the format, but the best way to familiarise yourself of both the style and type of questions, and how you will be tested on the day, is to take the mock exams that are available on the ATT website.

How long does it take to pass?

Students tend to take up to two years to complete the CTA qualification, but this depends entirely on your preferred way of learning and study pathways chosen. You must register with CIOT as a student at least four months in advance of taking your first exam.

4. Study materials

Study materials

The eLearning course includes online materials. You must purchase your 'Essential Law for Tax Practitioners', 'Professional Responsibilities and Ethics for Tax Practitioners' and ‘Principles of accounting 3rd edition’ books directly from the CIOT website.

Materials included in every course:

The following materials are included:

• Study Programme

  The Study Programme provides you with detailed guidance on all the key aspects of your CTA course. It recommends how you should organise your studies to ensure you cover all of the content, and to use the resources in the best way to achieve exam success.

• Question Banks

  The Question Banks are designed to test your ability to answer exam style questions. 

5. MyKaplan: online learning environment

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:

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  PDF versions of question banks 
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  Link to recordings to supplement your institute study manual
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  Your course exam question papers and model answers 

Online Features

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  View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
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  You can email a tutor or request a callback
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  See instantly when your assessments have been marked

Access duration

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

eLearning
6 months from enrolment date

computerMinimum system requirements for MyKaplan

6. Tutor support

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

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

• Email and request a callback (we'll get back to you within 48 hrs)

Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students and is available between 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday only.

Ways to get support

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

7. Testing and mocks

We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams.

You’ll get 3 mock exams to practice before you sit your CBE exam.

8. Pricing structure

eLearning courses:

• CTA Ethics - £339 (inc. VAT)
• CTA Law - £339 (inc. VAT)
• CTA Accounting - £459 (inc. VAT)

Funding options

Apprenticeships ›

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

Employer sponsored ›

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 plans ›

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