Forum

• # 113338
• Sun 03 Jul 2016 05:43 PM

I've this weekend had a bit of a mental battle with the BA5 Partnerships paper. Did anyone else find that the mocks didn't resemble the real examination?

Anyway, I learnt and revised in the usual way through self study using the Kaplan text and completed the mock on Friday. First of all the exam took me 15 minutes (2 hour limit) and seemed very simplistic and I scored 100%. Great, I thought. I was surprised at how little time it took me so decided to do the real thing. Thats when I ran into trouble. First of all the actual exam didn't resemble the mock I had just done. As a result I just missed out on a pass with a score of 84%. I was a bit annoyed by the difference between mock and actual and due to the lack of feedback in the report I was guessing almost on what exactly I had got wrong. I knew it had something to do with Goodwill as the Kaplan book didn't cover this for partnerships. As I had the Business Accounts book by David Cox from previous AAT studies I decided to read this text and complete the accompanying scenarios and studies. It was much more in depth than the Kaplan book and more difficult than the ICB exams so I was feeling confident again as I was starting to see where my mistakes lay.

So today I done another BA5 mock. This time the mock version did resemble the previous actual examination and I got a 91% score. I felt like I had done really well so couldn't understand the 9% drop. Having looked through again I found that I had grouped a bank overdraft incorrectly as a Current Asset instead of a Current Liability, a silly mistake to make but didn't effect any actual calculations (eg everything balanced and working capital was the same) so i expected to lose marks but felt 9% was harsh.

Due to this, I decided when I done my actual I was going to go into overkill. So I done the test again and went to extremes in checking everything. Where a Net Profit was required, I went the full length completing a balance sheet to double check my work. Where current account calculations where required, I drafed full T accounts to cross check my work. When I finally pressed the 'Finish' button I was a little apprehensive but glad to say I got 100%.

I just felt the need to write this as I know I've made mistakes but felt like the Kaplan book could've covered this area better and that the mock could've resembled the actual exam which I didn't feel like the first one did. All's well now as it's been  complete but I wanted to share my experience to see if others have had issues or whether it was just me?

Thanks

Dean

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113351
• Tue 05 Jul 2016 11:16 AM

Hi Dean

I couldn't agree more. I find the ICB marking schemes awful. 1 mistake can lose you marks across 5 different questions - when all your subsequent workings are perferct.

I recently took ABA8. Having done 2 mock exams, scoring 99% on the online ICB mock (25% was not marked as in Sage - but I had no issues on that part). I dropped 1 mark for somehow failing to answer 1 question.

Come the live exam, no particular issues or differences to the mock -  and my score drops to 78%.
I simply don't believe the mark.  To add insult the 'Querying your results' link in the email gives a 404 error.  And despite 2 emails to ICB over the last 2 weeks I've not even had a reply.

Very annoying. Doubtful whether I'll bother retaking the exam whatever the reply (if I ever get one)

Ian

• Ian

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113353
• Wed 06 Jul 2016 03:16 PM

.

Edited at 06 Jul 2016 07:50 PM GMT

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113354
• Wed 06 Jul 2016 03:16 PM

Hello Ian

Sorry to hear about the problems you've been experiencing. I agree with what you say about the marking down of one error several times, I know in the real world scenario these errors would be carried through to other areas but from an exam point of view I know other qualifications will only count this once. My main gripe is the lack of feedback for errors, as I'm a firm believer in learning from my mistakes, but I need to know my mistakes first.

Have you tried calling the ICB about your exam query as I know from past experiences that my emails haven't been picked up before but resolved immediately over the phone. Don't give up on your exams, you've come this far and it would be a waste of what you've already done. I hope you get everything resolved.

Dean

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113355
• Thu 07 Jul 2016 03:10 PM

Hi  

I am sorry to hear of your problems with BA5.  I had a complete nightmare with BA6 and, as you, scored very high in the mocks only to discover the real thing was not the same.  I ended up taking it three times and failed all of them and panicked more than I have done over anything for years to the extent I kept going back and changing my answers before I clicked Finish.  I guess if I had left well alone I may have done better. I now have a six month wait for new exams to be written.  

This scuppered my plans somewhat as my aim was to get my Practice Certificate in the first three months of the year.  Anyway many people will already have heard me moaning on about this before the point of my response is to say keep battling through and do as much practice as you can.  I am with Training Link and I know that the ICB and Training Link have had many discussions about bringing their mocks more into line with the ICB exams although I dont know where they are with this.  

I am also extremely frustrated as you are by not being able to find out where you go wrong.  This would be of enormous help.   I am glad to say I recently passed my Payroll Diploma, not with 100% though and I have been unable to find out where I went wrong so I could learn from the mistakes.  I guess we just have to keep pushing and hope others complain as well so eventually all the mocks out there which lead to an ICB exam have to actually reflect the exams!!!  Ultimately we pay a lot of money for these courses through third parties and without knowing all of these things you can end up paying a lot of money and failing.  I hope it goes well for you in the future.

Sue

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113357
• Fri 08 Jul 2016 10:44 AM

Hello Sue

You mirror my sentiments exactly and it's good to know I'm not the only one. You are right in that this process does cost a fair chunk of money so I think it's only right we have the knowledge of knowing where we are going wrong. I've got BA6 in the next few weeks so I'm going to treat it the same way as BA5, especially after reading your posts.

It's a bit gutting you have to wait 6 months for you to resit and delay your Practice plans as I'm in the same boat and want to get everything wrapped up for September. I'm all ready to go, website, facebook, marketing literature/videos and even a coupld of potential clients. I've just got to crack on and get the qualification in the bag.

Good luck Sue and all the best with your exams and future business.

Dean

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113358
• Fri 08 Jul 2016 11:09 AM

Hi

I hope it goes well for you.  Perhaps you will let me know how you get on with your BA6 after you take it and if you have any tips for my next time.

All the best.

Sue 

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113362
• Sat 09 Jul 2016 04:22 PM

Newby - Sue said:

“

Hi

 

I hope it goes well for you.  Perhaps you will let me know how you get on with your BA6 after you take it and if you have any tips for my next time.

 

All the best.

 

Sue 

 

 

 

”

 Thanks Sue and yes I'll definately pass on anything that can be of help.

Cheers

Dean

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113856
• Tue 27 Sep 2016 11:15 AM

bensteadbookkeeping said:

“

I've this weekend had a bit of a mental battle with the BA5 Partnerships paper. Did anyone else find that the mocks didn't resemble the real examination?

Anyway, I learnt and revised in the usual way through self study using the Kaplan text and completed the mock on Friday. First of all the exam took me 15 minutes (2 hour limit) and seemed very simplistic and I scored 100%. Great, I thought. I was surprised at how little time it took me so decided to do the real thing. Thats when I ran into trouble. First of all the actual exam didn't resemble the mock I had just done. As a result I just missed out on a pass with a score of 84%. I was a bit annoyed by the difference between mock and actual and due to the lack of feedback in the report I was guessing almost on what exactly I had got wrong. I knew it had something to do with Goodwill as the Kaplan book didn't cover this for partnerships. As I had the Business Accounts book by David Cox from previous AAT studies I decided to read this text and complete the accompanying scenarios and studies. It was much more in depth than the Kaplan book and more difficult than the ICB exams so I was feeling confident again as I was starting to see where my mistakes lay.

So today I done another BA5 mock. This time the mock version did resemble the previous actual examination and I got a 91% score. I felt like I had done really well so couldn't understand the 9% drop. Having looked through again I found that I had grouped a bank overdraft incorrectly as a Current Asset instead of a Current Liability, a silly mistake to make but didn't effect any actual calculations (eg everything balanced and working capital was the same) so i expected to lose marks but felt 9% was harsh.

Due to this, I decided when I done my actual I was going to go into overkill. So I done the test again and went to extremes in checking everything. Where a Net Profit was required, I went the full length completing a balance sheet to double check my work. Where current account calculations where required, I drafed full T accounts to cross check my work. When I finally pressed the 'Finish' button I was a little apprehensive but glad to say I got 100%.

I just felt the need to write this as I know I've made mistakes but felt like the Kaplan book could've covered this area better and that the mock could've resembled the actual exam which I didn't feel like the first one did. All's well now as it's been  complete but I wanted to share my experience to see if others have had issues or whether it was just me?

 

Thanks

Dean

”

• 
  Quote
  

• # 113857
• Tue 27 Sep 2016 11:22 AM

Hi Dean,

I've just come in on this forum topic about Level 3. I haven't started studying the Kaplan text yet but notice that quite a few people are saying how difficult Level 3 is compared to Level 2. Aside from Kaplan, can you recommend any other reading material? I notice that you say that the  book by David Cox is more in depth than Kaplan. I really want to continue to teach myself rather than use a course provider so any info would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Ruth

• 
  Quote