ACCA FM exam-day guide
ACCA FM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID matching your ACCA record
Bring the original photo ID whose name exactly matches your ACCA account and your exam booking. A passport or photocard driving licence is the usual requirement, but the exact list of accepted documents varies by centre and by whether you sit on-site or remotely - confirm the accepted forms with your exam provider before the day, since an ID mismatch can mean being refused entry and losing the fee. (needs_review)
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your booking confirmation to hand: it shows your candidate number, the exam (FM), the date and start time, and either the test centre address or the remote-session joining instructions. Check the start time in local time rather than the time zone you booked in, and note any check-in window for remote sittings.
Approved calculator
The computer-based exam supplies an on-screen calculator, and practising with it beforehand is strongly advised because it is slower than a hand-held device. If you intend to bring a physical calculator, it must be non-programmable and non-graphical, and centre rules on bringing devices to the desk vary - confirm with your provider rather than assuming. (needs_review)
Scratchpad and writing materials
The CBE interface includes an on-screen scratchpad for workings. Physical paper, pens and notes are normally not permitted at the desk, but arrangements differ between centres, so check what is supplied at your venue instead of bringing your own. (needs_review)
Timing plan for 100 marks in 180 minutes
Know the structure before you sit down: Section A has 15 objective test questions worth 2 marks each (30 marks), Section B has three case scenarios each containing five 2-mark objective test questions (30 marks), and Section C has two 20-mark constructed-response questions (40 marks). That averages about 1.8 minutes per mark, so budget roughly 36 minutes for each Section C question.
Formula sheet familiarity
A formula sheet is available on screen during the exam. Do not plan to learn every formula by heart; instead, practise locating the ones you use in investment appraisal, working capital, cost of capital and valuation, so that searching for a formula does not eat into answering time.
Timed Section C rehearsal done in advance
Section C is where most marks are lost through poor time control rather than lack of knowledge. Before exam day, write at least one full 20-mark answer in 36 minutes under exam conditions, including workings and a clearly formatted answer, so that the pace feels familiar.
Travel, or a quiet and reliable remote set-up
For a test centre, plan the route and add a buffer for delays. For a remote sitting, test your equipment, camera, microphone and internet connection beforehand, choose a quiet room with a plain desk, and check the room and equipment rules with your provider. (needs_review)
Nothing prohibited at the desk
Leave notes, textbooks, smart watches, earphones and mobile phones out of reach - phones should be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession of unauthorised material, even unused, is treated as malpractice.
Arrival and check-in timing
Aim to reach the centre well before the start time; arriving around 30 minutes early is a common guideline, and remote candidates are usually asked to begin check-in earlier still. Confirm the exact arrival and check-in window for your booking with your provider, as late arrival can mean refusal of entry. (needs_review)
Practical comfort items
Get a normal night's sleep, eat before you go, and check whether water, medication or breaks are permitted at your venue - these arrangements are centre-specific, so confirm in advance rather than assuming. (needs_review)
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Re-read the formula sheet section by section, re-do question types you have previously got wrong, and complete one full Section C question under timed conditions. Confirm your appointment details, venue or remote-session requirements, and that your ID name matches your ACCA record.
Do a light review only: the exam structure, your personal timing plan, and a handful of objective test questions to stay sharp. Pack your ID and confirmation, plan your journey or tidy your remote workspace, avoid late-night cramming, and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat something, re-check the start time and location, and arrive early enough to complete ID checks calmly. Do not attempt heavy revision in the waiting area - a quick look at the formula sheet is enough. Keep your phone switched off and stored.
Read the on-screen instructions, confirm the number of questions and the time remaining, and jot your time targets on the scratchpad - for example, a checkpoint at 108 minutes to have Sections A and B finished so that Section C has a full 72 minutes.
Work steadily through all 30 objective test questions. Do not let a single 2-mark question absorb several minutes: pick the best answer, flag it if the interface allows, and move on. Leave any genuinely unresolved items for the end rather than stalling the whole paper.
Allocate about 36 minutes per 20-mark question. Read the requirement first so you know what the marker is looking for, then plan briefly before writing. Show workings clearly, use headings and short paragraphs, and apply the figures to the scenario rather than producing generic theory. Start each question even if you are short of time - presentation and method marks are easier to earn than calculation marks.
Stop producing new content. Return to any flagged objective test questions, ensure every question has an answer (there is no negative marking for wrong answers), and check that both Section C questions have been attempted and that your workings are legible and clearly labelled.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID whose name matches your ACCA account; if it does not match, resolve it before exam day, because centre staff cannot admit you on a promise to produce documents later. Confirm the accepted ID types with your provider - this is set by policy, not by the invigilator's discretion. (needs_review)
Arrive before the stated check-in time. Candidates who arrive after the exam has started may be refused entry, and the decision rests with the centre or remote proctor rather than the candidate. If you are delayed, contact the provider immediately rather than simply arriving late.
Do not take notes, textbooks, smart devices, earphones or mobile phones to the desk. Phones must be switched off and stored as instructed. Unauthorised material in your possession, even if unused, can lead to a malpractice investigation and cancellation of results.
The exam is 100 marks in 180 minutes with a pass mark of 50%. Section A is 15 two-mark objective test questions, Section B is three five-question case scenarios worth 30 marks in total, and Section C is two 20-mark constructed-response questions. Every mark counts equally towards the 50.
There is no negative marking for incorrect objective test answers, so never leave a question blank. In Section C, marks are awarded for workings and for applying points to the scenario, so a partially completed answer with clear method still scores.
Only the calculator and formula resources permitted at your sitting may be used. The on-screen calculator and formula sheet are part of the CBE interface; if you wish to bring a physical calculator, check its acceptability in advance - programmable or graphical models are not allowed. (needs_review)
Breaks are not normally permitted during the exam, and leaving the room may end your sitting. If you have a medical or access requirement, apply for the appropriate arrangements through the provider well before the exam date rather than raising it on the day. (needs_review)
All work must be your own. Communicating with another candidate, sharing materials, or attempting to access external help during the exam is malpractice and is reported independently of your exam result. Remote sittings are recorded and monitored, so treat the room as a public examination hall.