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M Day - Level II Manual Bookkeeping

  • Member
  • 7 posts
  • # 73643

Hi

I am preparing to take the above exam next month in order to comply with the new membership structure. I note you have two text books Level I and II Bookkeeping revision kit and Practical Bookkeeping (M1 M2) plus a number of past papers.

In short, my position is that i am a working mum who completed Level II Computerised Bookkeeping in 2009 and we are expecting twins in January. I have not practised bookkeeping and do not intend to for at least a further 12 months but understand that in order to maintain my membership i must complete the above exam by 30 Sept 2011. I have looked at the syllabus and would welcome your urgent advices as to which of the text books referred to above you would recommend bearing in mind my circusmstances to be most appropriate. Would you also suggest trying past papers?

Can you also advise on the first time pass rate for this exam?

What materials do you need to take with you for the exam?

Am i correct in my understanding that your result is communicated immediately? If a success i presume nothing futher needs to be done but please confirm. In the unfortunate event i do not pass the test what is the procedure for retaking the exam and what if it is not possible to do this before the 30 Septeber 2011? Do you have to pay £60 to resit the test?

Sorry for all the questions. As you can probably guess i am slightly panicked by the thought of taking an exam bearing in mind my existig knowledge of bookkeeping is at best fairly hazy. Therefore your response to the above and any additoinal advice woudl be greately appreciated.

 

 
Peasie
  • Member PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 481 posts
  • # 73644

I don't really see what the rush is to pass this exam if you have no intention of applying for a practise licence for another 12 months. I don't know what happens after 30th September but I would have thought there may be some come and go if you intend doing the exam shortly after. Different kettle of fish if you had a practise licence. 

As for the exam at a centre - you take no materials with you other than a calculator. Some centres insist on you using their calculators. Your calculator (if you are allowed to use it) must be the most basic type - non programmable. They provide a couple of plastic wipe boards for rough calculations and they provide the pen as well.

Results - I think you are told if you pass/fail at the centre immediately after the exam. At 11pm that same night you can log on the the members area of the ICB website and see the actual mark and whether you you got a pass/merit/distinction.

Past papers - advisable. And definitely the mock online exam.

I'll let others advise on books - I went with a learning provider as I'm not disciplined enough to work on my own (towards an exam, I'm going to have to work on my own when it comes to real life work). 

EDIT : Forgot to say - the exam at an exam centre, you also need to take two forms of identification, one with photo and signature and another with at least your signature.

 

Edited at 15 Aug 2011 10:03 PM GMT
  • Member PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 107 posts
  • # 73645

Hi
I agree with Peasie. You only need to take the exam before M Day if you are intending to practice, you will still be a member of ICB.    Click on the blue M Day on the top right of the forum for more info.  Regarding the ID requirements for the exam, you need to take a passport as photo driving licences are not acceptable and one other  form of ID with your signature (eg: Bank Card).  I wasn't allowed to take my own calculator in but one was provided.  The pass mark is 60% overall and no less than 60% in each question and the time allowed is 2 hours which is plenty long enough. I have found Mastering Bookkeeping by Peter Marshall useful alongside my distance learning course. Check out your local library as you may be able to borrow some good text books before laying out any cash.

Congratulations on expecting twins!
linx
KerryB
  • 269 posts
  • # 73648

linx_p said:

 you need to take a passport as photo driving licences are not acceptable and one other  form of ID with your signature (eg: Bank Card). 


My photo driving license was perfectly acceptable.... along with my bank card.

Also I was under the impression that it is 85% pass rate, perhaps someone could confirm if the pass rate is 60% or 85% - I think the paper mock state 60% but the actual computer based exam/mock is 85%, but please don't quote me on that!

Regards

Kerry

  • www.berrybookkeeping.co.uk

    My responses are based on my opinions, not necessarily facts.

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  • Member
  • 7 posts
  • # 73653

Thank you for your advice and i thought i would provide a brief update. I have just called ICB again for clarification and they have re confirmed to me my understanding that regardless of whether i am practising i do need to take the Level II Manual Bookkeeping exam before 30 Sept 2011 in order to maintain my membership with them unless i have a relevant exemption which as i do not practice, i don't.
Peasie
  • Member PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 481 posts
  • # 73660

Can you not just drop down to Affilliate Level of membership for the period from Sep 30 to whenever you pass the Manual Level II exam? Then upgrade to the new style Associate Member when you pass Level II.

I would definitely advise against rushing into doing the exam before 30th Sept unless you can dedicate enough hours each day and it will be substantial hours. If you fail the exam it could be a dent in your confidence. The other side of the coin is I would also not put it off too long (if you do decide to take your time over it). I did that halfway through level III Manual and then Level III computerised. I think there was a gap of four or five months with me.
  • Member PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 107 posts
  • # 73675

KerryB said:

“linx_p said:
 you need to take a passport as photo driving licences are not acceptable and one other  form of ID with your signature (eg: Bank Card). 


My photo driving license was perfectly acceptable.... along with my bank card.

Also I was under the impression that it is 85% pass rate, perhaps someone could confirm if the pass rate is 60% or 85% - I think the paper mock state 60% but the actual computer based exam/mock is 85%, but please don't quote me on that!

Regards

Kerry
”
Oh, I thought I read on a thread about the ID, I stand corrected.

Also, you were right about the 60%, It is on the mock paper I had.  Just to clarify the pass rate for the centre based exam is 70%, merit is 80% and distinction is 90%.

Can anyone tell me  the computer level II pass rate?

linx
  • Member
  • 7 posts
  • # 73681

Having now rung the M Day team twice to seek advice on how to proceed and what my options are i am really concerned that at no time have they advised me of the possibility of downgrading my membership and therefore avoiding the need to complete the Level II Manual Bookkeeping by 30 Sept. Indeed when i called them the second time i specifically said i had got responses via the forum that as i don't practise the view appeared to be i did not need to take the exam by the end of next month however i was told this was incorrect. Based on  the advice from the M Day advice line I have now therefore booked my exam and paid the fee, paid for mock and past papers and also paid for the Manual Bookkeeping text book available on the ICB shop and maybe all unecessarily so! The conflicting advice is distressing and due to the time available i feel i have no option now but to concentrate my efforts on studying for an exam which may or not be necessary!

Therefore i'd appreciate it if anyone can urgently advise on where i can get hold of the relevant course material for Level II Manual Bookkeeping as i have checked and i completed via a distance learning provider and was provided with Level II Computerised Bookkeeping docs only.
  • 1 post
  • # 73683

Hi there, I have just joined the forum to answer this problem. I have just taken this manual level 2 exam. The pass rate is 70%
Also I used the Practical Bookeeping M1 M2 book available to purchase to brush up on my knowledge. It is all you will need to pass, I got 91% using this. I strongly suggest you do the mock exam online as this will give you a real insight as to the type of questions you will be facing. It was extremely helpful. I hope this helps and honestly the exam is a lot easier than you are probably expecting it is. Good luck!!!
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