We know that it’s disappointing to fail an exam. But it's important to remember that failing an exam is a setback, not a defeat. Here are some steps you can take to move forward with your resit and also set you up for future exam success.
Why did you fail? That might sound harsh – but that the honest question you need to ask yourself to be able to bounce back, pass your next exam and set yourself up on a successful path to ACCA Membership.
It’s vital that you reflect honestly on your performance at the last exam session. If you sat an Applied Skills exam, start by looking at your My Exam Performance report.
In all cases you will need to review your exam attempt to pinpoint the areas where you struggled. Were these due to gaps in your knowledge, poor exam technique, or time management issues?
Knowledge gaps
Did you manage to cover the full syllabus in detail, or did you focus on some areas more than others? Use the Study Hub to cover the syllabus content, including the different quizzes and rating features to keep track of your progress. You can also use technical articles and topic explainer videos to help with areas that you find more tricky.
Exam technique
Good exam technique makes a big difference in the exam. Practice under timed conditions, plan your answers before writing, and follow the marks allocation to ensure balanced responses. Use clear, structured answers and avoid over-explaining lower-mark questions. ACCA's examiner reports provide great insights into common mistakes and best practices. Use these and read the mind of the marker articles along with question practice in the Practice Platform.
Time management
Question practice under exam conditions is the key to managing your time in the exam. Also work on how you allocate time to each question. Base this on marks, and move on if you get stuck. Avoid spending too much time on a single question: aim to attempt all questions to maximize your score.
Study Plan
Was your exam preparation as organised as it could be? Did you allocate enough time for study an question practice? If the answer is no, then you would benefit from a detailed study plan. Start by working backwards from the exam date and then work out how much time you can devote to study each week. Make sure to factor in taking a mock exam into your studies and remember that we have the free Compass planner tool to help you.
Results are out - 7 weeks to go
Key resources
