ACCA PM
Performance Management (PM)
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
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ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
Performance Management (PM) is one of ACCA's Fundamentals-level exams, positioned after Management Accounting in the qualification sequence. ACCA describes its purpose as developing "knowledge and skills in the application of management accounting techniques to quantitative and qualitative information for planning, decision-making, performance evaluation and control." It suits students who already understand basic costing and want to move into interpreting information for decisions rather than just recording it - typically part-qualified accountants working in or alongside a finance function. Content spans specialist management accounting techniques, decision-making techniques, budgeting and control, and performance measurement and control, with roughly equal weighting across the four areas. Preparation should be active: work through the ACCA Study Hub chapters, then spend the majority of your time on exam-standard question practice under time pressure, marking your own answers honestly against the model answers. ACCA publishes pass rates for recent sessions on its PM study support page, which is a useful reality check on difficulty. Our practice questions here are independent study material and are not ACCA-endorsed; always confirm exam format, entry deadlines and fees directly with ACCA before booking.
What you'll study
About ACCA PM preparation
What does the PM exam actually test?
ACCA states the exam develops your ability to apply management accounting techniques to quantitative and qualitative information for planning, decision-making, performance evaluation and control. Expect calculations supported by written interpretation, not just number-crunching.
How is PM structured and how long do I get?
We do not state the format, section structure or duration here, because ACCA's own exam structure page was unavailable when this page was compiled. Check the PM study support resources on accaglobal.com and your exam attendance docket for the authoritative details.
What is the pass mark?
Not stated in our source material, so we have not published a figure. ACCA sets and publishes pass marks for its exams; confirm the current requirement on accaglobal.com before you plan your revision targets.
How hard is PM compared with earlier exams?
ACCA publishes session pass rates on the PM page - 43%, 40%, 45%, 41% and 42% for Sep 2025 through Sep 2026. Those are not high, so treat PM as a step up: it rewards consistent question practice far more than last-minute reading.
How many questions are on the exam?
Not stated in our source text, so we have not given a number. Rely on ACCA's study support resources for the current structure rather than on figures quoted in forums or older textbooks, which may refer to superseded formats.
Can I resit if I fail, and how often?
Not covered by our source material, so we cannot state a retake policy or session limit. ACCA's rules and regulations for students set out resit and attempt rules; check those pages and your MyACCA account before assuming a timeline.
What should I study first within PM?
Build specialist techniques and decision-making first - relevant costing, limiting factors, pricing and risk - because budgeting and performance measurement questions assume that groundwork. Leave performance measurement and control until last, as it draws on everything before it.
Why do candidates fail PM?
The usual causes are weak technique on core calculations, ignoring the written requirement, and poor time allocation in the exam. Practise full questions under timed conditions and mark your own scripts; the gap between what you intended and what you wrote is where marks are lost.
What free resources does ACCA provide?
ACCA's Study Hub, accessed through myACCA, offers ACCA-produced study chapters, flashcards and practice questions. ACCA also offers a My Exam Performance tool that analyses previous exam performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Where should I confirm fees, deadlines and exam dates?
Directly with ACCA. Our source text did not give a fee, duration or validity period, so we have left those blank rather than guess. Use the important dates and fees pages in the students section of accaglobal.com.