ACCA exams offered globally despite Covid-19 disruptions

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) announces the pass rates of its latest exam sitting for September 2020.

After two sessions in which there was much disruption around the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ACCA was able run more than 132,000 exams across the vast majority of its global markets. For the health and safety of students, additional measures were implemented in line with governmental advice.

Additionally, ACCA implemented remote invigilation where local regulations did not permit in-centre exams, to enable many more students continue their ACCA journey despite the challenging conditions. This was particularly the case in two of our large markets, India and Pakistan, where no centres could open. In total, over 103,000 students entered the September 2020 sitting and a total of 4,219 students completed their final exams to become ACCA affiliates.

Alan Hatfield, ACCA executive director – strategy and development says: ‘We understand how important it is for future members to progress on their journey with ACCA to become professional accountants, and so we’ve been working hard over recent months to ensure exams can be taken during these challenging Covid-19 times. It is especially pleasing that by offering exams with remote invigilation, 313 students have become affiliates this session who would otherwise have had to wait until December, or possibly 2021 to sit their final exams.

‘We’ve been listening to feedback, acting on it and are now preparing for the December exams. ACCA is committed to the health and safety of our future members, and we are working hard to ensure the end of year sittings can be taken despite challenges of potential city lockdowns across the globe.’

As well as considering the on-going safety of our students, ACCA continues to work on increasing the dedicated support available to them, especially those now taking the Strategic Professional exams on the Computer Based Exams or CBE platform which sets out to simulate office conditions. Examples of this great support are subject specific webinars on Strategic Professional CBE exam technique, tutor training to approach the new style of exams and a practice platform for students containing full exams to familiarise themselves with the software they will see on exam day.

Alan Hatfield adds: ‘ACCA continues to offer support and guidance to all students in these challenging times. Not only is there an increased amount of specific exam support, but we also provide a dedicated Covid-19 support hub for students offering well-being guidance in these challenging times.’