ACCA F1/FIA FAB

Changes to the Syllabus and Exam Format from

26
th
February 2014

Changes to the Exam Format

Historically the F1 computer based exam contained 50 objective test questions (OTs), worth 2 marks
each. These are single, short questions which could comprise multiple choice (choose one answer),
multiple response (selecting more than one response), multiple response matching (indicating a
response to a number of related statements) and number entry (type in a numerical response to
question shown on screen).

ACCA are introducing new question types from 26
th
February 2014 which are referred to as multi-
task questions (MTQs). MTQs contain a series of tasks which will relate to one or more scenarios.
MTQs can take the form of gapfill (enter your answers in the blank space provided, either by
selecting from a dropdown list or by number entry) and hotspot (select one or more answers by
clicking on appropriate area(s) of an image) as well as the four types of objective test questions
identified above (multiple choice, multiple response, multiple response matching, number entry).

The exam structure and the marks that are allocated to the questions have therefore changed. You
can expect to see the following in your exam from 26
th
February 2014:


Format of the exam Marks
Section A: 46 objective test questions (30 x 2 marks each, 16 x 1
mark each)
76
Section B: 6 multi-task questions (4 marks each) 24
100


There will be no parallel running of the exams. The exam length will remain at two hours.



Changes to the syllabus

If you have completed an F1 course in 2013 or early 2014, but have not yet passed the
exam, there are some minor changes to the syllabus and the examinable documents that you need
to be aware of for exams from 26
th
February 2014.

Syllabus/examinable document change Chapter(s) of course
notes affected
Practice and revision kit
questions to practise
The value network has been introduced Chapter 3 Q2.10 & Q2.12
Monopoly and Oligopoly market models
have been introduced
Chapter 4 Q4.8 & Q4.17
Virtual, hollow or modular organisational
structures have been added as well as
offshoring
Chapter 5 Q2.4, Q6.9 & 6.10
Agency concept has been introduced Chapter 7 Q8.2
Sustainability and integrated reports has
been introduced
Chapter 8 Q30.21

Prior to sitting your exam you should ensure that you are comfortable with the content covering
these minor changes as well as the new exam format. The knowledge you have gained from your
course previously will be tested in addition to the new areas which have been introduced.


What should I do?


Students who started studying with BPP before January 2014

If you are an existing BPP student where your online access has not expired, you will be given access
to additional content within your learning plan on your Virtual Learning Environment
(learn.bpp.com). The additional content will include:
The sections of the course notes covering the new syllabus areas
Additional questions included in the new edition of the Practice and Revision Kit
Guidance on the skills needed to approach the questions within the newly updated BPP skills
bank
As such there is no need to book another course.


New students

If you book onto a course with BPP towards the new format exams, all the materials you will be
provided with have been fully updated for the exam format changes, so you dont need to do
anything else. Find out more about booking your course here: www.bpp.com/acca




If you are not an existing or soon to be BPP student

Information on all the question types, how they should be answered and the new exam features can
be found on the ACCA website here: http://www.accaglobal.com/en/student/acca-qual-student-
journey/exams/computer-based-exams/cbe-specimen.html

The 2014 edition of the BPP Practice and Revision kit has some example MTQs (the new 4 mark
question style) which should be practiced prior to the exam. These can be specifically found in
Chapters 5, 9, 13, 21, 23 & 25 of the kit.
This kit can be purchased here: http://www.bpp.com/lm-product-details/lmproddetails/10459




If you are planning to sit a current syllabus exam, you must do so before the 24
th
February 2014. In
this case it is recommended you sit before the 17
th
February to allow time for any potential
retakes.