Which ACCA exams to take together

Which ACCA Exams to Take Together: Strategic Combinations for Global Students

Which ACCA Exams to Take Together: "I attempted three ACCA exams in one sitting and nearly burned out," admits Priya from Mumbai. "The next time, I carefully paired two complementary papers and passed both with flying colors."

Finding the right ACCA exam combinations can significantly impact your qualification journey. Strategic pairing can save time, enhance understanding, and boost your chances of success—while poor combinations can lead to frustration and wasted effort.

In this guide, I'll share practical advice on which ACCA exams to take together based on feedback from successful students worldwide.

Why ACCA Exam Combinations Matter

Before diving into specific pairings, let's consider why strategic exam selection is so important:

Time Management Reality

"As a full-time accountant in London, I have limited study hours," shares James. "Taking PM and FM together worked perfectly because the overlapping concepts meant I wasn't learning two completely different subjects." tips to pass the F5 exams

The right exam combination can:

• Reduce overall study time through complementary content.
• Create natural breaks between different types of learning.
• Allow for more efficient revision cycles.

Knowledge Reinforcement

Sandeep from Delhi explains his experience: "Taking FR and AA together was a game-changer. Understanding how financial statements are prepared made it easier to grasp how they're audited."

When papers complement each other, concepts from one exam can strengthen your understanding of the other.

Balance and Variety

"Studying TX alone was draining with all the memorization," admits Maria from Brazil. "Pairing it with PM gave me a mix of rule-based learning and practical problem-solving that kept me engaged."

Balancing different types of exams can prevent burnout and maintain motivation throughout your study period.

Strategic ACCA Exam Combinations by Level

Applied Knowledge Level

At this foundational level, the papers build core accounting knowledge. While you can take all three papers together if you're studying full-time, many part-time students prefer these combinations:

Best Combinations:

• BT + MA: Business and Technology provides context for many Management Accounting concepts
• MA + FA: Financial Accounting and Management Accounting share fundamental principles while offering different perspectives

Ahmed from Egypt shares: "As someone new to accounting, taking BT first gave me the business context I needed before diving into the technical aspects of FA."

Applied Skills Level

This level represents the core of professional accounting knowledge. The six papers can be challenging, making strategic combinations particularly important.

Recommended Combinations:

1. LW + TX (Law and Taxation)

• Why it works: Both are rule-based with similar study approaches
• Student experience: "As a Malaysian student, I found that both papers required similar memorization techniques. The legal principles in LW provided a framework for understanding TX." - Wei Lin, Kuala Lumpur.

2. FR + AA (Financial Reporting and Audit & Assurance)

• Why it works: Understanding financial statement preparation enhances your ability to audit those statements
• Student experience: "In Nigeria, where IFRS adoption is still developing, learning FR and AA together helped me connect how accounting standards influence audit procedures." - Oluwaseun, Lagos

3. PM + FM (Performance Management and Financial Management)

• Why it works: Both involve quantitative analysis and decision-making techniques.
• Student experience: "Working in Dubai's finance sector while studying, I could immediately apply these complementary concepts in my daily work." - Fatima, UAE

Combinations to Avoid:

• FM + FR: Both are calculation-heavy and time-consuming
• TX + FR: Different mindsets required (rule-based vs. principle-based)

Carlos from Mexico City advises: "I tried taking FM and FR together while working full-time. The calculation workload was overwhelming—I passed FM but failed FR. Take this combination only if you have substantial study time available."

Strategic Professional Level

At this advanced stage, each exam requires significant preparation. Many successful students take just one paper per sitting, but if you want to take two, here are the most effective combinations:

Optimal Pairings:

1. SBR + AAA (Strategic Business Reporting + Advanced Audit & Assurance)

• Why it works: AAA builds directly on SBR knowledge.
• Student experience: "In Singapore, where we deal with complex group structures, the knowledge transfer between SBR and AAA was seamless." - Chen Wei, Singapore

2. SBL + APM (Strategic Business Leader + Advanced Performance Management)

• Why it works: Both focus on strategic thinking and organizational performance.
• Student experience: "As a UK-based management accountant, I found these papers complemented my daily work. The strategic frameworks overlapped in helpful ways." - Emma, London

3. AFM + APM (Advanced Financial Management + Advanced Performance Management)

• Why it works: Both deal with strategic decision-making and performance evaluation
• Student experience: "In South Africa's volatile economic environment, understanding both financial risk management and performance metrics gave me a comprehensive view of business challenges." - Thabo, Johannesburg

Rajiv from Delhi offers this warning: "I attempted SBL and SBR together while working full-time. The 100% case study format of SBL demands so much time that I couldn't do justice to either paper. At the Strategic level, one exam per sitting is often wiser unless you study full-time."

Tailoring Combinations to Your Situation

Beyond the standard advice, consider these factors when deciding which ACCA exams to take together:

Your Working Schedule

Full-time students: Can tackle more challenging combinations or even three papers per sitting. Working 40+ hours: Consider taking just one exam or choosing lighter combinations

Mohammed from Cairo shares: "Working in audit during the busy season, I found it impossible to prepare for two papers properly. I switched to taking one paper during busy season and two during quieter periods."

Your Learning Style

Logical/analytical thinkers: I may prefer numerical papers together (FM+PM). Verbal/memorization strengths: Might excel with rule-based combinations (LW+TX)

"As a visual learner, I created mind maps connecting concepts across FR and AA," explains Mei from Malaysia. "This approach wouldn't have worked as well with unrelated papers."

Study Method and Resources

Self-study: More conservative pairings are recommended Comprehensive tuition: Can attempt more challenging combinations with proper support

"In Kenya, where access to tutors was limited, I relied heavily on online resources," shares Daniel from Nairobi. "Taking FR alone allowed me to focus my self-study efforts effectively."

Regional Exam Availability

Students in certain regions face additional considerations:

Limited exam centers: Some locations offer exams less frequently, requiring strategic planning. Computer-based vs. remote-based: Different formats may affect your preparation approach

"In rural India, I had to travel to Delhi for my exams," explains Ashish. "Taking two complementary papers made the trip worthwhile while keeping my study load manageable."

Real Student Journeys: Which ACCA Exams to Take Together

The Working Professional Path (UK)

Sarah from Manchester shared her journey while working full-time:

1. Applied Knowledge: Took all three exams after 3 months of study (passed)
2. Applied Skills:
   • LW + TX (passed both)
   • PM + FM (passed PM, failed FM)
   • FM + AA (passed both) (tips to pass ACCA F8 exams)
   • FR (taken alone due to complexity, passed)
3. Strategic Professional:
   • One exam per sitting (passed all)

The Fast-Track Approach (UAE)

Ahmed from Dubai completed ACCA in 2.5 years:

1. Applied Knowledge: All three papers in one sitting (passed)
2. Applied Skills:
   • LW + TX + AA (passed LW & TX, failed AA)
   • AA + FR (passed both)
   • PM + FM (passed both)
3. Strategic Professional:
   • SBR + AAA (passed both)
   • SBL + APM (passed both)

The Part-Time Student Approach (India)

Priya from Delhi balanced work and family:

1. Applied Knowledge:
   • BT + MA (passed both)
   • FA (took alone, passed)
2. Applied Skills:
   • LW + TX (passed both)
   • FR (took alone, passed)
   • AA (took alone, passed)
   • PM + FM (passed both)
3. Strategic Professional:
   • One exam per sitting (passed all)

Practical Tips for Success with Multiple Exams

Create an Integrated Study Plan

"I color-coded my study schedule," explains Zainab from Nigeria. Blue is for FR topics, green is for AA, and purple is for overlapping concepts that served both exams."

When taking two exams together:

• Identify overlapping topics to study simultaneously
• Alternate between subjects to maintain engagement
• Schedule regular combined revision sessions

Balance Your Exam Day

"My exam combination of FM and PM meant two 3-hour exams on the same day," shares Carlos from Spain. "I practiced meditation between papers to clear my mind and refocus."

Prepare for exam day by:

• Practicing similar time blocks during mock exams
• Planning nutrition and hydration between sessions
• Having separate materials ready for each exam

Know When to Split Up

Be prepared to adjust your plan if necessary:

• If mock exam results are consistently below passing for one paper
• When unexpected work or personal commitments arise
• If you find yourself unable to dedicate sufficient time to both subjects

Mei from Singapore advises: "I originally planned to take FR and AA together, but after struggling with consolidations, I pushed AA to the next sitting. That decision probably saved me from failing both."

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect ACCA Exam Combination

Deciding which ACCA exams to take together is a personal journey. While the suggested combinations have worked for many students worldwide, your circumstances, strengths, and study style should guide your final decision.

Remember Priya's experience? After burning out with too many papers, she succeeded with strategic pairing. The right combination for you is one that:

• Aligns with your available study time
• Leverages complementary knowledge areas
• Balances different types of learning and assessment
• Suits your strengths and preferences

As you progress through your ACCA journey, you'll better understand your optimal approach. Don't hesitate to adjust your strategy based on experience and changing circumstances.

Ready to plan your ACCA exam journey? Speak with an ACCA Expert Today to discuss your situation and create a personalized exam strategy.

This guide incorporates experiences from real ACCA students worldwide who have completed their qualification journey with Eduyush's support.