ACCA TX-UK exam-day guide
ACCA TX-UK · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring the exact form of identification your exam centre requires (typically a current passport or photo driving licence). Confirm the accepted ID type and name-matching rules with your exam provider before the day.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your booking confirmation and candidate/registration number available, either printed or on your phone, in case centre staff need to verify your booking.
Approved calculator
Bring a calculator that meets the provider's rules (non-programmable, no stored text). Confirm the permitted model list with the provider, as policies vary.
Pens and pencils
Bring spare black pens and pencils, plus an eraser and sharpener. Some centres supply materials, so check what is provided.
Exam centre location and travel plan
Know the exact address, entrance, and journey time. Plan to arrive well before your start time to allow for ID checks and security.
Knowledge of the exam structure
Know the format and timing of the TX-UK paper you are sitting (number of sections, question types, and total time) so you can pace yourself. Confirm the current structure on the provider's syllabus page.
Section-by-section time budget
Write a simple minute-per-mark plan for each section so you know when to move on. Practise it on a timed mock beforehand.
Tax rates and allowances recall
Be ready to recall the key rates, bands, and allowances for the relevant tax year from memory, since these are normally assumed knowledge rather than given in the exam. Confirm which figures the provider supplies.
Watch or silent timer
A simple analogue watch can help you track time if the centre clock is not visible. Confirm whether wristwatches are permitted at your centre.
Water and a light snack
Bring water in a clear container if allowed, and a snack for before or after the exam. Check the centre's rules on food and drink in the exam room.
Leave valuables at home
Bring only what you need. Phones and smart devices usually must be switched off and stored away; confirm the centre's policy.
Confirm accessibility or special arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm in advance with the provider that these are approved and in place.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Do one or two full timed mocks under exam conditions and review your errors by topic. Revisit your summary notes on high-frequency areas: income tax, NICs, capital gains, inheritance tax, VAT, and corporation tax computations.
Reconfirm exam time, centre address, and travel arrangements. Check your ID is valid and matches your registration name.
Write out your time budget per section and rehearse it on a mock. Decide your order of attack and your rule for when to abandon a question.
Do light revision only: key rates and allowances, proforma layouts, and common traps. Avoid cramming new material.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, calculator, pens, pencils, eraser, watch, water. Set out clothes and confirm your alarm and transport.
Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Do not study late into the night.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and do only a brief skim of your rates sheet. Avoid discussing answers or topics with other candidates to keep your focus.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions and marks. Note the start time and your checkpoints. Answer the easiest questions first if the paper allows, and keep to your time budget.
Show workings for computational questions, as method marks are often available even if the final figure is wrong. Watch units and rounding instructions.
Leave a few minutes at the end to check you have attempted every question and that no answers are mis-keyed or left blank where there is no penalty for guessing.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID in the exact form required; you may be refused entry without it. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Arrive at the centre by the time stated in your booking. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted or your time is reduced; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Switch off and store all phones, smart watches, and other devices as instructed. Unauthorised devices in the exam room can lead to misconduct proceedings.
Bring only permitted items to your desk. Bags, notes, and unauthorised materials must be left in the designated area.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not attempt to copy or share answers. All work must be your own.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including on leaving the room. Confirm the centre's policy on toilet breaks, as supervised breaks may be limited and may not extend your time.
Marks are awarded for correct workings as well as final answers where the question requires computation, so show your method clearly.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper or your equipment, raise it with the invigilator immediately rather than after the exam.