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Level III Manual Exam Pass

  • 15 posts
  • # 105557

Hi all,

This is the first time I've ever posted!

I sat the Level III Manual exam (old syllabus) today and passed, which was a huge relief! But I've just got my percentage & I literally only just passed. I don't know whether to feel happy that I passed or disappointed that I didn't do nearly as well as I should have...

Undecided

Has anyone else felt the same or am I being ridiculous?! I think it's probably the latter!!

 

Lisa

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  • 51 posts
  • # 105559

Hi Lisa, I sat the same exam last Friday and passed with 74%.  I was initially really disppointed with myself, however on reflection, it is a tough exam, and I think if you can pass it, you're probably well equipped to do the job in the real world, so I don't feel so bad now!

Some points to remember:

Getting one figure wrong on the exam can mean the next few questions are also wrong, where had that first figure been correct, all the following may also be correct.

Sometimes on the exam, you only have a certain amount of information to go on, in the real world with a fuller picture, things can seem more obvious.

I think being a good bookkeeper is a bit like being a good doctor, knowing absolutely everything off the top of your head isn't always realistic (or even necessary), at least until you've had lots of experience doing it, it's the ability to look up and gather what information you need to do the job that makes you competent.  I'm sure if I sat the exam with some notes/books and google in front of me, I'd get 100%.

You learn a lot more when doing the job than when studying for an exam, and when you've been doing it a while, processes and procedures become internalised and second nature.  Kind of like driving, you take your test, then learn to drive properly with experience and repetition.

I set up practice 19 months ago, people care that I'm qualified but nobody in that time has ever questioned what I got on an exam.  I even mentioned to two of my clients that I'd passed the exam on Firday and they still didn't question my grade!


So I suppose what I'm saying is, don't feel bad about it at all (I mean...You're being ridiculous Lol!!), you've done well to get through it, and in doing so, you should feel confident enough to apply those skills in the real world now.  Smile

  • 15 posts
  • # 105574

Hi Chris,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I knew when I left the exam centre I had made some errors, but to be honest I had just run out of time before I could go back and really re-think my answers. I agree with you - I think I also would have done much better had I had books etc with me, because I seemed to do well on all the assignments/practice questions/mock.

Everything you've said is true, and you've made me feel much better! I have some background in bookkeeping and accounts but decided to do this course so that I am certified and can ideally set up and work from home. If i look on the positive side, after yesterday, I'm another step closer! And you're right, applying knowledge day to day is totally different from studying for an exam. I think I got a bit wrapped up in the whole percentages thing!!

So thank you again for your advice, and good luck with your ongoing practice. You've brightened my day, hope you have a good one too Smile



Edited at 25 Feb 2015 11:49 AM GMT

  • Practice Licence
  • 61 posts
  • # 105594

I would give you a pat on the back and say well done. It was a hard exam with lots to do in a short time, so a pass is good enough in my book - and the ICB's I'm sure!

 

well done!

  • 15 posts
  • # 105626

Thank you Wells,

I see on another thread that you recently passed too? Well done to you also! It definitely is a relief! Smile

  • Member PM.Dip
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  • 18 posts
  • # 105680

Hi Lisa

I feel exactly the same as you.  This morning I passed Level III manual - have not got my exact mark yet but I suspect it will be borderline.  Like you I know I made a few errors but there was no time to go back and check over the figures.  I feel I should have done better but at least I have passed (hurray - what a massive relief!).  Looks as though we all feel the same.  Personally I found the wipe boards and felt pens less than ideal for doing all the workings and I had to keep scrolling up and down the screen which was annoying - all of which wasted time but at least I got to the end this time (this was my second attempt to pass).

Well done to everyone who has passed and good luck for future studies - in fact I am not sure how the switch to new syllabus works at this level.

Elspeth

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  • 51 posts
  • # 105681

I'm not keen on the wipe boards either but they're adequate for their purpose.  But more than that, I hate having to keep going back to previous screens to get a figure that you haven't wrote down!  Would be much better if a whole section of questions was on one page and you could just scroll back up.

Also, I'm dead certain that one page of questions I done got wiped.  I went back to check it at the end and there was nothing there so I had to re do it which took up a good 15 minutes.  I know I'd already filled it as my workings were written down! (and I'm sure I wasn't just getting a bit of de ja vu, thinking "this page looks familiar"!!)

Lisa, I'm glad you feel better about it now, I think we all get a bit worked up about exams and results, in reality it's just an indicator of competence, and a stepping stone to enable you to get more work, and once you're working, nobody else cares what grade you got!  

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  • 26 posts
  • # 105684

Dear Friends,##

 

Please see the news for extension from ICB from 31 MArch to 30 June.... on ICB Website :

 

 

 

Many of you are working extremely hard to complete the Level II Certificate in Manual Bookkeeping (M2) and the Level III Diploma in Manual Bookkeeping (M3) by the deadline of 31 March 2015. However, the enormous demand for these examinations has meant that, in some areas, our examination centres are struggling to cope with scheduling everyone in before the deadline. 

Therefore, ICB has decided to extend the deadline for taking these examinations. The deadline of 31 March is now the deadline for BOOKING your examination. The new deadline for completing the examination is 30 JUNE 2015.  

 

http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/resources/news/general/icb-postpones-examination-deadline/a/6142

 

Good Luck,   I will be sitting on my manual level 3 next week.   

 

 

Ruchi

  • 15 posts
  • # 105690

Hi Elspeth,

I know what you mean about the wipe boards and pens, i used a few and kept getting them muddled up! Well done for passing this morning though, I hope you are happy with your mark when you get it. But if not, don't let it get you down (as I've learned!) A pass is a pass, and it's well earned!

I'm just happy now that I don't have to do it again, & I'm sure you are too!

& Ruchi, good luck with yours next week, hope it goes well!

 

  • Practice Licence
  • 61 posts
  • # 105695

Well done Elspeth 😄.

Regarding the boards, I found it really frustrating when they took the wipeboards away from you when you needed another one... Along with all your calculations! especially when you need your calculations for future questions or for checking at the end.

 

good luck to all who have their exams coming up this month. X

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