F5, F9 and P2 are killing papers? It all depends on how you think of these papers and how you approach them. I passed these papers last semester. Thank God, I am satisfactory with the marks. Just want to share how i approach these papers.

F5-Performance Management
This paper is not dofficult if you have good foundation of its earlier paper.. either CAT or ACCA F2. Economics knoledge is an add on advantage. However, those with poor foundation or no economics knowledge should not be despaired, as good studying approach will help you pass through easily.

Have a copy of the syllabus guidance and read through. Having an overview of this paper is vital as you will appreciate every parts of this paper when u study it. Some parts are very technical, you should note down and these are areas you need to studt. The paper tests on your analytical and synthesis skills and ability to give approprite comments. Technical knowledge is crucial for calculation only. Those with strong analytical and synthesis skills can pass through this paper with limited technical knowledge.

For those with limited time for this paper, I recommend that you have your answers at your side when doing the past year questions. When you can't answer a particular question, please do not waste time coming out with the answer, instead pay some time "analysing" the answers. Note the approach the examiner used and how the questions are answered. It is always good to indicate the several points that are given with numbers. Doing past year questions, help you to pick up knowledge covered in the syllabus, though not complete.

Before the actual exams, read through the entire textbook. It will take a day only. It helps as you will find those areas you have not covered before. I always find that I apply the knowledge most from what I read few days before the exam.

F9-Financial Management
This paper is similar to F5, the study approach is the same also. However, emphasis is on the technical knowledge you have through the understanding of the syllabus. A lot of time should be spent on this paper to appreciate the the different models examinable. Calculations in the exam questions require the understanding of the models. so know the models and calculation should not have problems.

Some very technical questions are asked like asking you to give the advantages of certain models. If you know the models and know the underlying mechanism, there should be no problems. But understanding the mechnism is time consuming though.

Doing past year questions and you are confident that you can answer all the questions in the past year papers, you are on the way to pass this paper.

P2-Corporate Reporting
The exam approach is totally different from the Fundamentals papers.

My studying approach:
Know the IASs well, memorize the rules in every IASs with emphasis on certain important ISAs.
Then, you can start to try some questions. Note that the questions set in the new ACCA is very much different from previous one for P2.
I shall give an explanation on the layout of the current exam paper. The current exam questions are what I call "case by case" questions. Each case will deal with one or two particular IASs and thus the whole paper will cover almost 70% of the syllabus, though emphasis could be on certain IASs in every sitting. Do not try to spot on certain IASs but u can leace out some unimportant one.

Question one is "Group" question but it is a case by case question. If you are not good in consolidation, you can still answer the case. Remember to answer the question by answering each case by itself. At the end, each case will then affect the CSOFP or CSOCI. do not ever try to balance the accounts. It is a wastage of time and you can spend the time better in other areas. There is an ethics question, it tests your command of english actualy. Leave it to the end of the exam.

Question two and three are almost the same but the earlier gives emphasis on certain IASs. To answer these questions, you should follow a strict approach so that you can earn as many marks as possible.. and it lets your answers sound more professional and the idea flow is smoother. The approach can be explicitly seen on the examiners' answers if you spend time analysing his answers. Ms. Menon from Sunway has done a good job in this area and I believe it helps the students alot.

Question four is on current issue, if the current issue is clear, you may want to try your luck on this and memorize the answer else leave it out in your revision. Remember to have a summary of each IASs with you and go through in consistent interval so that you dont forget the earlier IASs you have studied. www.iasplus.com by Deloitte allows free download for its summary booklet. Note that some IASs may have undergone revision and may not be examinable in your sitting.

I hope it can be a help for students taking these papers in this sitting. God bless you all.

3 or 4 paper dilemma? hehe.. it all depend on your confidence level.. FOur papers are not recommended but if your english and learning capabilities are strong.. then go ahead!!

Some people say that taking four papers have higher chance of failing.. Ermm.. it depends on the person's capability.. Put it in another way, isn't doing ACCA papers in three years have a higher chance of failing than having it in 2 and a half yrs? Coz the longer the time, the higher the risks.. hahaha.. That's my theory...

I'm from Sunway and I attend tuition in other colleges. Just want to give a fair view of what I think of Sunway University College compared to others.

Advantages:
1) Excellent study environment with a superb library. It is true that most people here are striving for the best. Is part of the culture in SyUC. For those who engage in wide reading, the library is sure to meet your expectation

2) Three progess tests before the real exams.

3) Good Sport facilitites.

4) Hostel available

5) Longer hour of classes- can be good or bad. Depends

6) Price. Although the price is higher than the normal rate. There are still many new students coming in. There are scholarships for high achiever and community scholarship for the needy.

7) Clubs and societies available

8) After graduate service like job placement. Sunway maintained a very close relationship with the Big 4. Sunway students have their trademarks.

Disadvantages:
1) Some lecturers in Sunway are overstretched thus may not be giving the best in the class. Some lecturers are sent to China to lecture there.

2) Some lecturers not competent for some subjects. Outside lecturers are more specialised.

3) The long hr of class result in the lecturers talking nonsense, not related to syllabus resulting in distractions.

F5 tests your analytical and synthesis skills. Some minimal parts of F5 is related to economics like price elasticity in pricing decision. However, it is the analytical skills that you gained in understanding econmics which helps you in F5.

I presume that most people would not have problems in calculations. The headache areas are in commenting on the calculations made. What are the underlying reasons? What they represent?

This is my recommendations:

Practice questions with answers at your side. Start with reading the required parts and understand which part of the syllabus they are testing. Whether Part A,B,C,D i.e, Costing techniques? Budgeting? Decision Making? Standard Costing? Performance Measurement? ANd are they asking for calculations or for comments or both?

Be aware that there could be a combination of the parts tested in a question.

In contrast to what most people will recommend, I will prefer to read the answers straight after i have understood the questions. Reading the answers involve analysing the answers, looking at the presentation style. And assess whether these are things that I will do during the exams. If you write your answers, you could be locked-in to your own thoughts.

This is time effective and allow you to cover alot of questions in a short time span. You could test yourself by not looking at the answers for some questions. And assess whether the studying approach works.

Good Luck!

I respect that different people have their own approach to F5. Sometimes i doubt my approach also but it works at the end. Having a wide knowledge not confined to the syllabus is an advantage.

I find that it is time consuming to have the answers in full. I would plan my answers only. Reading the answers is not exactly what most people think. For me, I read and analyse the answers. This takes considerable amount of time as I ponder on the answers given, highlighting points that I have not had in mind when planning. I would look at the style and presentation. You pick up the skills slowly.

There are considerable amount of questions available for practice. For those who answer in full during practice, I am sure they would choose questions causing some areas of the syllabus to be neglected. Time is a main factor during revision. Isn't? Unless you are doing 1 or 2 papers in a semester, then you can "abuse" the time available.

Hope this is helpful to everyone doing F5

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Added on September 30, 2008, 12:34 pmApparently, you intend to sit for three papers each semester and have five papers left in the Fundamental Level.

I can't give you a good suggestion. But these are the factors to be considered.

1) Actual exam timetable - avoid all the papers in a week, consider the papers in the subsequent semester

2) Your confidence level in the respective papers

3) The bulkiness of the combination - try to spread the bulky and tough papers.


This post has been edited by Rvelos: Sep 30 2008, 12:34 PM

It's very interesting that people are debating over whether OBU is useful or not when one has ACCA.

Well, this is what I heard, New Zealand does not give points for ACCA if you want to apply for PR. Surprisingly, they award points for OBU.. Strange? That's the fact!

So, why not have OBU with you. After all, you may need it one day.. It is still valuable!

i can see you are self-motivated!! That's great!

I would suggest another combination for you

First sem: F4, F6, F7 and F8

Second sem: F5, F9 , P2, P3

Last sem: P1 and optionals

The logic is if you pass F8 in the first sem, then your confidence will be boosted.

F5 and F9 are more on your analytical and language skills. if can do P3 n P2 then these two are easy..

Please consider the actual exam timetable.. if they are divided into two weeks then is an advantage.

There is a girl who did this combination and get an avg of > 80 mks. of course, she is a brilliant girl.. But i guess you are very brilliant also. Good luck!!

I don know why some people are anti sunway.. have you studied in Sunway before? I study in Sunway for most of my papers but I do go to outside colleges for a few papers.. why? because of the assurance that the lecturers give based on their experience and also recommendations from my sisters who are both graduated from Sunway. My sisters did go out for tuitions for some papers outside but why did they still strongly recommend me to complete my ACCA in Sunway? The answer is clear, Sunway provides a more comprehensive learning and personal development opportunities. I can feel it myself.

Firstly, the library is well equipped and you will be amazed by the abundance of resources in it. If you are the kind who just want to pass ACCA and not into self enrichment then Sunway might not suit you. Or, if you never touch extra materials then it is a waste of money in Sunway.

Secondly, I can compare the learning culture in Sunway as compared to other colleges. Sunway promotes a culture where people learn by sharing. Lecturers give many opportunities in class for students to ask in order to benefit all the students. It helps people to learn to speak confidently and ask useful questions. I still remember an occasion outside Sunway where I was asking the lecturers some questions to clear my doubts and others as the particular parts were quite complicated. However, during the recess, i was approached by a part time student in a rudely manner asking me to stop asking questions. Then, I realised I am not in Sunway.. The culture is different. People tend to ask their questions after class and benefit themselves.

Thirdly, Sunway is recognised by all the Big four as the symbol of quality. They support their staff to study in Sunway. why? My sister was told by her interviewer that they credit ACCA graduates especially from Sunway very highly and when the person learned that my second sister was not going to complete ACCA with Sunway, the interviewer strongly advised that she should complete in Sunway. I think Big Four values Sunway brand alot.

In conclusion, Sunway may score fairly in terms of its team of lecturers but it definitely scores very high in other aspects. First choice = Sunway
For some papers, go outside.

my recommendation, stay in Sunway but go out for some papers. you can ask your senior which papers to go out.. hehe..

you doing four papers right? I think you should stay in Sunway for lectures then go out for revision if necessary. If go out for lectures, definately make you very tired and not able to concentrate..

This post has been edited by Rvelos: Nov 18 2008, 09:10 PM

That's good.. no need to go in weekend!! Erm, some papers if can handle, can skip the class.. unless u really prefer to stay in class to listen. Learning process could be slower..

hehe.. relax!! and go holidays.. erm, got free time then read the syllabus guidance to have a good idea of what the subjects are. helps alot!! rather than going into details.

KSA and Orange have experience lecturers. Agree. I think information is enough for students to choose. Something that can add value to yourself and your future CV or just want to pass in ACCA. Sunway University College will one day be Sunway University, then it would be very nice on your CV. what do you think?



This post has been edited by Rvelos: Nov 18 2008, 11:17 PM

Haha.. I think there is no columns for you to add in your lecturer names in the application forms. Do you know there is a space where you need to put down your institution. which one you put? Orange or Lime? or both?

and when the interviewers ask where you study for your ACCA, do you say Orange or Lime? especially in overseas?

I think Sunway advertisements are good to us Sunway students although the money comes from our tuition fees.

This post has been edited by Rvelos: Nov 18 2008, 11:25 PM

haha.. you do your research then comment, will not be too late.. perhaps i'm wrong too.. oops!

Personally, I prefer lime juice to Orange juice. u?

This post has been edited by Rvelos: Nov 18 2008, 11:32 PM

I respect him!

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Added on November 18, 2008, 11:34 pmHe will reply Segi is the best.. HAHA..

This post has been edited by Rvelos: Nov 18 2008, 11:34 PM

perhaps, I know what BIG FOUR wants.. haha.. where are you working now?

I see.. good prospects! completed ACCA ?

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Added on November 18, 2008, 11:43 pmhehe.. dont put chinese words.. i understand one.. Mandarin Club in Sunway has equipped me with basic chinese. one benefit in Sunway.

This post has been edited by Rvelos: Nov 18 2008, 11:43 PM

HAHA.. take care.. ACCA exams coming de.. go study now..

Very very good comment!! I agree. I'm not ashamed of telling others that I go outside for some papers. I highly regard the experience that some outside lecturers have!!

I like your comment.. There is no absolute advantage in sunway than in other colleges in job application. but in terms of probability, ya, i believe in higher probability.

Carsoandy and I look from different angles, thus with different conclusion. I respect his view.

exams are important, ya, but if can help the juniors know how different colleges can fit them, it will be great. I believe the arguments are constructive.

At the end, the "free market" will decide.

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Added on November 20, 2008, 6:13 pmMy last comment on this issue:

1) You are bringing out exceptional cases I suppose.

2) Lecturers in KL are experienced but Sunway lecturers zre also good.

3) There are thousands who share this view, taking ACCA in Sunway is our first choice. Carsoandy is a part-timer, so her choice is affected by other factors.

4) The last point is definitely "OUT", please don't make nonsense. If CV is not important, then just write I'm an ACCA graduate on a piece of paper and send in. See you will get reply or not. CV helps you to get interviews. Interviews will determine you get a job or not. If your CV is not good then most probably you won't have a chance to be interviewed.



This post has been edited by Rvelos: Nov 20 2008, 06:13 PM