F8 Examiner Tips

[ptty_noel]

Everyone usually ask:
"How can I pass my exams?"
"Do you have any tips on passing exams?"
"How is the exam structured?"

Persons usually give their opinions to the answer to these questions but I think the best answer is from the examiner himself.

The F8 examiner is Mr. Alan Lewin.

The pass rate for December 2008 is 43%. I think that this is very low compared to the pass rates of the other papers such as P1, P2 and P3 which persons assume is more complex. So then what do we need to do to become among the 43% in June 2009 exams? Below I have placed the examiners overview along with tips to pass F8 of F8 taken from www.accaglobal.com.

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[dragoon_alex]

43% of pass rate is very high for F8, because the normal pass rate is lower than 35%.

Anyway, you just need work hard, try to learn all the knowledge from this paper, then you will able to pass

[Sravanthi Y C]

Hi

I would like to add few tips along with the above tips

The foremost important is to plan the study and which I feel it is followed by you forum members.

Analyse the study text practically which makes you to understand the topic with ease.

Go through the examples through which you remember the theory easily and at the end of the learning outcome main points are given to remember the theory as summary/synopsis.

Good mnemonics are added in the study text refer them and you can memorise.
You can also create good mnemonics for the large text and post them on the forum which helps the fellow members.

This makes ease to understand and remember the learning outcomes.

The next step is to present (Presentation) the theory in your exam.

For this you need to go through and practice past exam papers and relevant examiners report which helps you to present your answer.

The next thing is the time factor in presenting the answer
Limit your answer to the question asked and upto the point.
1 mark = 1.8 minutes
So to answer a question of 20 marks you should invest only 36 minutes and not more than that.Accordingly plan the other questions according to the marks and score more.

As it is suggested to practice past exam papers, that helps to answer the paper within the time and with good presentation.

Good Luck:yes:

[Vivienne]

I would like to make a few additions to tips on passing F8.
I finally managed to pass last sitting with a 57% after two failed attempts.my reasons of failure were numerous.i have tired to explain them below.
i did not understand the question requirements that is the verbs.Paper F8 has verbs like
1.List
2.Explain
3.Describe
4.Identify
5.Analyse

these verbs require different approaches.for example where it says list ,it is merely listing and not explaining.where it says explain you just have to do that and not merely list.A question to list may require you to list 6 elements and maybe the whole question is 3 marks meaning its half a mark each but instead of just listing you go aheard and start explaining the points wasting time to answer other questions.

i would go down to say 1mark is equal to 1.5mins.so for a 20mark question you have to answer in 30mins.1.8mins is the correct computation of the mins but you have to time yourself to 1.5min so that if there are extra minutes you may go through your answers at the end of exam

the other issue is answering the questions that relate to a scenario.sometimes we fail to include facts from the scenario and merely write the general knowledge that we know about that subject.this will not gain us the required marks.when a question is scenario based always base your answers on the scenario.

there are two articles that have been written by Allan Lewin.they can be found on the ACCA website,student accountant magazine section.one is entitled 'Audit and Assurance assistance' writen on 10 April 2008 and the other one entitled 'Ready to sit Paper F8'written on 21 October 2008. these articles will help a great deal.



Best wishes to all writing F8.

[ptty_noel]

I also had problems understanding the various verbs stated by Vivienne and also managing my time.
I am really grateful for the 15mins of reading time that we are granted. During that time I usually underline the verbs and list ways I can answer the questions in a way that will enable me to complete the questions within the time given.

I have attached the examiners reports which I obtained from www.accaglobal.com in my first post. I find these articles very helpful. By reading it and practicing what is suggested we will be able to accomplish F8.

All the best to everyone and I hope this helps. :smile:

[oyewa]

thanks everybody. iam gaining confident in myself .

[Cidado]

Thanks guys!