Based on the new syllabus guide, core paper no longer difficult than optional paper.
Last time, in optional paper, it got 1 IT paper - 3.4 Business Information Management. A lot of student like to take this paper b'cos it is easier if compare to other papers. But under new syllabus, this paper no longer individual subject but merge into P3.
And also in 3 core paper now, 3.7 already move to optional paper(P4) + replaced by P1 in the 3 core paper. P1 is not difficult if compare to 3.7.
So, where got core paper difficult than optional paper now?
Some more in the optional papers now, examiner expect student can handle very practical question.
For eg, in the P6 Advance Tax, the examiner will treat student like Tax Adviser and want student give a lot of tax advise based on the problem in question. Compare to previous 3.2, where examiner require need a good undertanding of Tax Com, Tax implication and Tax planning.
Even in P7, you will find that examiner expect candidates have a very strong FRS knowledge, due to this paper is after P2 Corporate Reporting as compare to last time 3.1 where b4 3.6. In last time 3.1, the format of question was standard, so a lot of lecturer got the technique to teach student answer question in 3.1. But under new P7, you will find that question was more difficult than 3.1. Due to this, a lot of lecturer also stop teaching P7.
recently i juz sit for the optional paper...
but i still feel that the optional paper is easier compare to the core paper....
i think the pass rate difference is mainly due to the difficulties of the paper for the year~
because i feel that core paper and optional paper are main to test ur understanding and apply to the relevant case...
so i have not see big difference on the characteristic of the papers...