ACCA FA exam-day guide
ACCA FA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Original photo ID
needs_review - bring the original, valid, signed photo ID you registered with (commonly a passport or driving licence). The name must match your ACCA record exactly; confirm the accepted ID types and name-match rules with ACCA/the test centre before exam day.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your confirmation showing date, start time, centre address (or remote-session link and login steps). Save a screenshot offline in case of poor signal.
Travel and arrival plan
needs_review - plan the route with a buffer; ACCA centres commonly expect you to arrive well before the start time. Check the specific arrival window and late-arrival policy with your provider.
Calculator position confirmed
needs_review - the computer-based exam includes an on-screen calculator; whether a personal calculator is allowed at your centre varies. Confirm with the provider and do not rely on bringing one.
Stationery / rough-work expectations checked
needs_review - many centres supply a pen and rough-work materials and restrict what you may bring to the desk. Confirm what is provided and what is prohibited.
Specimen exam and CBE interface practised
Complete at least one full specimen under timed conditions so the navigation, flagging, and answer-entry mechanics are familiar before you sit down.
Written timing plan
A one-page plan: rough minutes per question, the point at which you will abandon a stubborn question, and a reserve block at the end for flagged items.
One-page formula and format sheet
Your own condensed sheet: double-entry rules, statement of profit or loss / statement of financial position formats, control account and reconciliation layouts, depreciation and inventory adjustments. Use only for light revision.
Comfort and logistics items
Water, a snack for afterwards, a layer of clothing, charged phone, and transport payment. Confirm whether drinks are permitted at the desk.
Prohibited items removed
Phone off and stored, no smartwatch, no notes, no loose paper beyond what the centre supplies.
Sleep and food plan
Fixed bedtime for the two nights before, a normal breakfast, and no new topics after the 24-hour mark.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Sit one full timed specimen exam, then spend the remaining time on your error log: redo the question types you got wrong, not the whole syllabus. Confirm your appointment details, check your ID is valid and correctly named, and finalise travel.
Light review only: formats of the main statements, ledger and control account layouts, bank reconciliation, depreciation, accruals and prepayments, and correction of errors. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, water, and a charged phone. Sleep at your normal time.
Eat properly, leave with generous spare time, and skim only your one-page summary sheet. Do not attempt new questions or compare notes with other candidates. Follow all check-in and ID verification instructions at the centre.
Read the on-screen instructions, check the timer, and settle into a steady pace. Work through the objective test questions first, answering every one, and flag rather than stall on anything blocking you.
Keep to roughly 2-3 minutes per objective test question and give the multi-task questions the extra time they need. Read each requirement twice, watch for the word 'not' and for units, and check that workings are entered where the question asks for them. If the screen freezes or equipment fails, raise your hand immediately and do not attempt repairs yourself.
Return to flagged questions, confirm no question is left blank, and check that multi-task answers are fully completed across all parts. Use remaining time on your weakest flagged item rather than re-reading everything.
Rules to check
Bring original valid photo ID; the name must match your ACCA registration. If your ID name differs from your record, resolve it with ACCA before exam day rather than at the centre.
Place phones, smartwatches, notes and any unauthorised items away as instructed. Possession of prohibited material at the desk can lead to removal from the exam and a report to ACCA.
Follow all invigilator and system-check instructions. Disruption, talking, or attempting to access unauthorised material is misconduct and may invalidate your result.
Use only the rough-work materials the centre supplies, and only in the permitted manner. Do not write on ID documents or on anything you brought with you.
needs_review - ACCA objective tests are generally not negatively marked, so answer every question; confirm the current marking and pass-mark rules with ACCA as they can change.
needs_review - a two-hour exam typically has no scheduled break. Confirm the break, toilet, and emergency-leave policy with your provider; leaving the room may be recorded and supervised.
If a question appears wrong, ambiguous, or the interface malfunctions, note it and raise it with the invigilator; do not assume it will be handled automatically.
Results and any post-exam administrative steps follow ACCA's published timeline and myACCA process; check the dates directly rather than relying on memory.