The ACCA qualification, explained
A factual reference, written for students deciding what to sit next. No sales pitch on this page.
The three levels
ACCA is structured in three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional. You work through them in order, though within a level you can generally choose the order you sit papers.
Fifteen exams, thirteen sat
There are fifteen exams in total, but nobody sits all fifteen. Applied Knowledge has three, Applied Skills has six, and Strategic Professional has two Essentials plus a choice of two Options from four. That comes to thirteen.
Exam sittings
Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams run in four sittings a year — March, June, September and December. Applied Knowledge exams are on-demand and can be booked throughout the year.
Exemptions
A relevant degree or prior qualification may exempt you from some Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams. Exemptions are assessed by ACCA against your specific qualification, and there is a fee per exempted paper. You cannot be exempted from any Strategic Professional exam.
The Ethics module and practical experience
Alongside the exams you complete the Ethics and Professional Skills module and record 36 months of relevant practical experience. Both are required before you become a member; neither is an exam.
How long it takes
Most students studying alongside full-time work take three to four years. Two exams a sitting is a common pace; more than that is difficult to sustain while working.
The pass mark
Every ACCA exam is marked out of 100 and the pass mark is 50. Marks are absolute, not scaled to a cohort — passing does not depend on how anyone else performed.
This page describes the ACCA qualification for information only. MG Academy is an independent tuition service and is not affiliated with or approved by ACCA. Always check the official ACCA website for the current syllabus, fees and exam dates.
Applied Skills
Six exams building the technical foundation. I teach four of them.
Papers I coach at this level
Strategic Professional
Two Essentials and two Options. I teach four of these papers.
Papers I coach at this level
Deciding what to sit next?
Tell me where you are in the qualification and what your working week looks like. I will give you an honest view on what is realistic for the next sitting.