Prepare

to pass

A guide to help
you if you are
studying

Corporate and
Business Law
F4
(GLO)
 GETTING
STARTED
Prepare to pass

LEARNING
PHASE
REVISION
PHASE
Welcome to your guide helping you Sections
to study for your F4 (GLO) exam Getting started 03

PREPARATION
Learning phase 09

Stages of
Why use this guide?

study

FINAL
✓✓ Structured approach to show you how to succeed Revision phase 14
✓✓ Signposted resources and how to use them Final preparation 17
✓✓ Tips for success to help you through your studies
✓✓ Interactive clickable checklists to keep you on track The exam 19

THE EXAM
Appendix – Links21
This guide is applicable for exams to August 2016.

APPENDIX
02
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
Enter for your exam
Buy an Approved Content
Provider study text and question
& answer bank

REVISION
PHASE
Draw up your study plan
Get to know your exam

PREPARATION
FINAL
THE EXAM
Getting started

APPENDIX
03

Getting started - Tips for success
We strongly recommend that
you buy an F4 (GLO) Approved
Content Provider Study Text
and Question and Answer Bank
to ensure exam success. These
provide:
- the most up to date content and
syllabus coverage
- tests, quizzes and other support
designed to help you prepare for
your exam
- past exam questions updated for
changes to the syllabus, question
style and exam format as well as
practice questions and answers
and full mock exams to ensure you
are fully prepared for your exam.
04
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
Tips for success
PHASE
✓✓ The earlier you enter ✓✓ Spend some time When drawing up your
for your exam the less familiarising yourself study plan (see page 5)
it costs! with the free resources
available via the ✓✓ Be realistic and consider
✓✓ Use the ACCA Learning
REVISION
exam resource finder on when you are best able
PHASE
Community to link up the student section of to study – maybe early
with fellow students the ACCA website – mornings work better
around the world for you or perhaps
we will provide you with
studying the same shorter study periods
specific guidance on
exam as you – get tips, when and how to use more often.
join discussions and these resources
PREPARATION
share ideas and advice. ✓✓ Once you have
during the relevant
prepared your plan
FINAL
You can also access stages of study.
live Q&A sessions and stick to it!
presentations. ✓✓ Remember to
✓✓ Consider building in an
personalise your edition
✓✓ Download the Student extra study period after
of Student Accountant
Planner App – a tool every few chapters to
so you receive F4
that helps you map review and consolidate
specific information as
THE EXAM
your journey to ACCA your learning.
you need it.
membership while
✓✓ Take a 5 – 10 minute
balancing your work
break every hour
and social life.
to help maintain
your motivation and
concentration.
APPENDIX
 GETTING
STARTED
Getting started - Draw up your study plan

Study plan checklist

LEARNING
PHASE

Calculate the number of weeks
from now until your exam
date and draw up a plan – see
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
the example to the left and a
possible proforma for you to use

REVISION
PHASE
Week 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Week 2 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
on the next page
Week 3 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday You may need to add or take
Week 4 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday away weeks depending on your
Week 5 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday own circumstances

PREPARATION
Week 6 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Block out days/half days/

FINAL
Week 7 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday evenings already committed to
Week 8 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday family/social events
Week 9 REVISION
Plan study periods – evenings/
Week 10 REVISION
half days/full days, aiming for
Week 11 REVISION
roughly one evening/half day

THE EXAM
Week 12 REVSION AND FINAL PREPARATION per chapter of your study text
Evening study period Daytime study period Other commitments Leave a four week period for the
revision and final preparation
phases

APPENDIX
05
 GETTING
STARTED
Getting started - Your study plan
Print out and write down when you will study, relax and revise!

LEARNING
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

PHASE
Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

REVISION
PHASE
Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

PREPARATION
FINAL
Week 7

Week 8

Week 9 REVISION

THE EXAM
Week 10 REVISION

Week 11 REVISION

Week 12 REVISION AND FINAL PREPARATION

APPENDIX
Evening study period Daytime study period Other commitments Colour boxes in your preferred highlighter colours.

06

Getting started - Get to know your exam

Review the syllabus
and study guide and the
examinable documents for F4

Scan the F4 (GLO)
specimen exam

Listen to the examiner's
approach video
Review the examiner's reports
from the last four sittings

Scan the exam technique and
syllabus updates articles
07
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
REVISION
PHASE
➤ These give you an understanding of the aims and objectives of the exam, learning
outcomes and exam structure as well as a comprehensive list of the documents
examinable for the current exam sittings
PREPARATION
➤ The specimen exam provides you with a clear picture of how F4 will be assessed and
how the exam is structured as well as the likely style and range of questions that you
FINAL
could see in the real exam
➤ Using this at the start of your studies will help you understand the focus of the exam
by concentrating on the exam structure, question style, exam technique and tips as
well as pitfalls to avoid
THE EXAM
➤ These provide feedback on students’ performance after each exam session, highlight
problem areas that students need to improve on and tell you what the examining
teams are looking for; these are critical to your success in passing F4 (GLO) –
see some of the most recent comments from your examiner over the page
➤ The articles here cover answering multiple-choice questions, computer-based exam
technique and how to prepare for knowledge modules exams – you will need to
come back to these during the revision phase but they will provide you with guidance
APPENDIX
that will be helpful in attempting questions throughout the learning phase

Getting started - What the examiner has said about F4 (GLO)
(extracts from June 2015 examiner's report)
§ §
Comments on
CBE and paper
based exams:
In the computer-based
examination format, all questions
are structured so as to be capable
of objective marking, while in the
paper based format, although
section A is marked objectively
by computer, section B is still
marked by subject experts.
The present structure replicates
division in the previous
examination structure between
essentially knowledge based
questions and questions requiring,
not merely knowledge,
but analysis and application
in addition.
08
Comments
Commentson
on
CBE exams:
Section A:
Another more general point to be
made in relation to Section A is the
performance in the first section of the
syllabus: Business, Political and Legal
Systems. This is by far the least well
done section of the syllabus.
While it is perhaps understandable that
candidates find this part of the syllabus
more challenging, in that it relates to
the more conceptual and less obviously
business centred aspects of accountancy
work and involves an understanding
of various legal and quasi-legal systems,
it nonetheless has to be emphasised
that it remains a core aspect of the
syllabus and as such it will always
be examined. Consequently candidates
would be strongly advised not to
undervalue this element of their study.
A further point to be made raises
another possible shortcoming in the
way candidates approach the MCQs.
The suspicion is that candidates may
be tempted to skim read questions
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
and answers and simply do not spent
sufficient time on thinking about
them. Questions are sometimes more
REVISION
subtle than candidates allow for and
PHASE
the alternatives to the correct answers
are called ‘distractors’ for the simple
reason that they are there to undermine
candidates’ certainty as to the correct
answer. While candidates may well know
the answer to a question, they would be
PREPARATION
well advised to do a negative check on
FINAL
the other possible answers to confirm
their initial response. From the evidence
of the June 2015 paper it would
appear that candidates are not paying
sufficient attention to either the
questions or the answers, with many
questions being incorrectly answered
THE EXAM
through simple carelessness. As has
been stated above, time is not an issue
and candidates should not rush through
questions and should certainly resist the
temptation to get into a simple read
and click routine.
APPENDIX
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
Work through the control
sheet which has been
designed to give you a
structured approach to your
learning phase to ensure you:

REVISION
PHASE
- gain the knowledge you
need; and
- learn how to apply that
knowledge to pass the

PREPARATION
exam

FINAL
THE EXAM
Learning phase

APPENDIX
09

Learning phase - Get the most out of your control sheet
Use the control sheet relevant to
the Approved Content Provider's
materials you have purchased:
✓✓ BPP Learning Media - page 12
✓✓ Kaplan Publishing - page 13
Tick the box Content in the control
sheet once you have:
✓✓ Read through the introduction to
the chapter
✓✓ Actively read and understood each
chapter’s content
✓✓ Noted any additional commentary
and exam focus tips provided
✓✓ Worked through and understood
examples and illustrations of
concepts given
10
GETTING
STARTED
Tick the box Quiz/Test in the control
LEARNING
PHASE
sheet once you have:
✓✓ Attempted the quiz at the end of the
chapter (if you are using BPP material)
or the test your understanding questions
throughout the chapter (if you are using
Kaplan material)
REVISION
PHASE
Tick the box Questions in the control
sheet once you have:
✓✓ Attempted the questions referred
to in the Question Bank (if you are using
BPP materials) or the practice questions
PREPARATION
at the end of the text (if you are using
FINAL
Kaplan materials)
Tick the box ACCA related resources in
the control sheet once you have:
✓✓ Read / viewed the related ACCA article /
THE EXAM
video signposted
APPENDIX
 GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase - Tips for success

LEARNING
Tips for success

PHASE
✓✓ Actively read the ✓✓ Always work through the ✓✓ Visit the ACCA Learning
material – ask yourself questions signposted – Community regularly to
‘do I understand this?’ it is vital that you practise view new video content
If not re-read and questions throughout and to join online study

REVISION
re-work examples – the learning phase as events.

PHASE
if you still struggle, this will ensure that
make a note and come you are applying the ✓✓ There are PER (Practical
back to it. knowledge you learn Experience Requirement)
as you progress. objectives associated
✓✓ Scan headings before with specific syllabus
going into the detail ✓✓ Make sure you use the areas and, if possible,

PREPARATION
to give you an idea of ACCA resources to help you should try to gain

FINAL
the content first and your understanding experience in these
consider highlighting, – these give you real alongside your studying
underlining, making insight to help you as this will help you to
notes, drawing pictures in your exam. put your studies into a
or mind maps – whatever workplace context and
helps you to remember. ✓✓ If you find you are reinforce what you have
not covering all of the learned.

THE EXAM
✓✓ Consider using the material in each study
additional resources period, build some extra ✓✓ Try to read a good
provided by the time into your planner quality business journal
Approved Content – everyone works at a or newspaper regularly
Providers including for different pace. and use this to help
example passcards or bring your studies to life
pocket notes to help ✓✓ Keep an eye on Student by linking your learning
you remember the key Accountant for any into what you are

APPENDIX
knowledge areas. relevant articles. reading.

11
 GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase - Control sheet for Becker Professional Education

Chapter Content Quiz/Test Questions ACCA related resources

✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete

LEARNING
PHASE
Introduction
1 Business, political and legal systems
2 International trade, legal regulation and conflict of laws
3 Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
• ICC introduces new international
4 Contracts for the international sale of goods
commercial terms
5 Obligations and risks in contracts for international sales

REVISION
PHASE
6 Transportation document and means of payment
7 Agency law
8 Partnerships
9 Corporations and legal personality
10 Company formation
11 Constitution of a company

PREPARATION
12 Share capital

FINAL
13 Loan capital
14 Capital maintenance and dividend law
15 Company directors
16 Other company officers
17 Company meetings and resolutions
18 Insolvency and administration

THE EXAM
19 Fraudulent and criminal behaviour • Bribery Act 2010

APPENDIX
12
 GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase - Control sheet for Kaplan Publishing

Chapter Content Quiz/Test Questions ACCA related resources

✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete

LEARNING
PHASE
Introduction
1 Essential elements of legal systems
2 International Commercial Arbitration
• ICC introduces new international
3 International business transactions: formation of the contract
commercial terms
4 International business transactions: obligations
5 International business transactions: risk and payment

REVISION
PHASE
6 International business forms – agency
7 Types of business organisation
8 Corporations and legal personality
9 Capital and financing
10 Directors
11 Corporate admission

PREPARATION
12 Insolvency

FINAL
13 Corporate and fraudulent behaviour • Bribery Act 2010

THE EXAM
APPENDIX
13
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
Revisit areas you struggled with
during the learning phase
Ensure you are confident with
the knowledge needed to pass

REVISION
the exam

PHASE
Make sure you are able to apply
that knowledge in questions

PREPARATION
FINAL
THE EXAM
Revision phase

APPENDIX

Revision phase – Question practice

Exam-standard question practice
Tips for success
is vital now
W
 ork through as many questions
✓✓ Consider blocking time
as possible and all mock exams in your study plan for
included in the Approved Content specific questions or
Provider question and answer mock exams to ensure
banks - remember these are best you cover everything.
for question practice as they include ✓✓ Don’t be afraid to
past exam questions updated for attempt questions you
have already done –
syllabus and format changes especially the ones

Work through the specimen exam you found tricky first
time round.
– this will provide you with a clear
picture of what the exam will look ✓✓ It is really important that
like making sure you know what you do some questions
in full, to exam time
to expect on the day – time management
is often an issue and
the more you prepare
yourself the better
you will perform in the
exam.
15
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
✓✓ To keep motivation
high, break some
questions into individual
parts, write plans or
REVISION
notes for some parts
PHASE
and do others in full.
✓✓ Work through the
answers carefully –
pay attention to areas
you got wrong and
PREPARATION
understand where
FINAL
you went wrong – it
is better to do a few
questions well than lots
of questions badly.
✓✓ Try not to look at the
answers before really
THE EXAM
attempting the question
– you won't be able to
do this in the real exam!
APPENDIX

Revision phase – Key resources

Listen to the examiner's approach
interview again in the context of
what you have learned

Remind yourself of areas that
students often struggle with and
obtain tips on how to ensure you
do not make the same mistakes by
reviewing the examiner's reports
from the last four sittings again

Read the exam technique and
syllabus updates articles – this time
linking into what you have learnt

Make sure you read the study skills
articles in Student Accountant
covering topics such as how to
overcome exam anxiety as well as
checking the Student Accountant
Hub for any new technical articles
related to F4
16
Tips for success
✓✓ Don’t give up easily ✓✓ Think about purchasing
– if you really cannot
understand something
then consider posting a
question on the ACCA
Learning Community –
if you found it difficult
so will others.
✓✓ Don’t miss the
specimen exam – this
is a full example of the
exam available for both
paper and CBE format
and replicates the exam
environment – attempt
in full to time.
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
a Practice Test – practice
makes perfect and,
even better, you get
REVISION
personalised feedback
PHASE
diagrams highlighting
your strengths and
weaknesses, so you can
refine your revision.
See the PER video on
the student section of
PREPARATION
the website for more
FINAL
information on how
useful these can be
for your revision.
THE EXAM
APPENDIX

Revision phase - What the examiner has said about F4 (GLO)
(extracts from December 2014 examiner's report)
§ §
Comments on
section A
As was hoped, this knowledge
part of the exam appears to
have benefited the majority of
candidates, who traditionally
have been stronger in fact based
questions than in legal analysis.
It was feared that the extension
of the field of material to be
covered might prove a difficulty
but that has not been supported
by the evidence of candidates’
performance. It would appear that
candidates have benefited from
the recognition that they will be
examined over a wider spectrum
of the curriculum rather than on,
as previously, a specific and quite
narrowly circumscribed aspect of
the syllabus. Whereas previously
candidates engaged in topic, and
even worse question, spotting to
no little damage to their results
when they got it wrong, now it
would appear that they realise
that there is nothing to be gained
in such an exercise
17
as all aspects of the syllabus can
be examined in one exam.
However, it has to be recognised
that the new structure requires
candidates to be aware of more
detailed information than perhaps
was required previously. Thus
for example, whereas previously
it was rare for agency law to be
examined other than as an aspect
of the law relating to company
officers, now, as a topic in its
own right the details of that topic
will be required to be covered.
Similarly, as regards the topic
of directors’ duties, whereas
previously it might have been
possible for candidates
to have dealt with a 10 mark
question rather superficially
but still gain sufficient marks
to pass, now the structure
of questions requires a precise
command and understanding
of the fine detail of the topic.
GETTING
STARTED
Comments on
LEARNING
PHASE
section B
This element of the examination requires
both analysis and application, which skills
traditionally have not been to the forefront
of candidates’ abilities. At least to a
REVISION
degree, it has to be recognised that such
PHASE
weaknesses remain, but the new structure
has gone some way to mitigate the
consequences.
Previously candidates were faced with
an extended problem scenario, involving
many issues. Now scenarios are shorter,
PREPARATION
and questions are subdivided and more
FINAL
focussed. What the questions under the
new structure seek to do is to encourage
candidates to demonstrate their
understanding of, and ability to, apply
particular legal principles and concepts.
THE EXAM
APPENDIX
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
You are clear on the knowledge
you need to pass the exam
as well as how to apply that
knowledge

REVISION
You have the skills you need

PHASE
to pass the exam – eg
time management

Ensure you are

PREPARATION
PREPERATION
familiar with:

FINAL
the exam format
the style of questions
the way the marks are allocated

THE EXAM
what specific syllabus areas
are likely to be tested and in
which questions

Final preparation

APPENDIX
18
 GETTING
STARTED
Final preparation - Tips for success

§ §
An extract from the An extract from the
Syllabus and study F4 (GLO) specimen

LEARNING
guide for F4 (GLO) exam marking guide

Note on case law:
Candidates should support
their answers on the paper-
based multi-task questions with
analysis referring to cases
PHASE
Section B Question 4:
(a) 3–4 marks for a complete explanation of
the different types of director and a correct
application of Ger and Kim.
1–2 marks for some understanding but

or examples. There is no need
to detail the facts of the case.
Remember, it is the point of law
that the case establishes that is
important, although knowing
the facts of cases can be
REVISION
PHASE
lacking either application or explanation.
0 marks for no understanding of the
substance of the question. Tips for success
(b) 1 mark for each relevant point made relating
to the role/function of non-executive ✓✓ Go over questions again that you
directors, up to the maximum 2 marks. found difficult during the revision

PREPARATION
PREPERATION
helpful as sometimes questions
phase and make sure you attempt
include scenarios based on

well-known cases.
Further it is not necessary to
quote section numbers of Acts.
Section B Question 5:
(a) A full answer distinguishing between
fraudulent and wrongful trading is required
for both marks to be given.
1 mark for any relevant point made relating to
either action.
FINAL
at least one mock again
in full to time.
✓✓ If you are unsure about the exam
format, the style of questions
or what specific syllabus areas
are likely to be tested in which

THE EXAM
(b) 4 marks for a full answer clearly distinguishing questions, read the Syllabus and
the two types of activity and correctly Study Guide again.
applying them.
✓✓ If you are not sure about how the
1 mark for any relevant point made relating
marks are allocated review the
to either party’s action.
specimen exam again.
1 mark each for correctly stating how each
provision will be applied to the parties.

APPENDIX
19
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
Make sure you are ready to
walk into your exam

REVISION
PHASE


PREPARATION
FINAL
THE EXAM
The Exam

APPENDIX
20
 GETTING
STARTED
The Exam - Tips for success

Tips for success

Very few students enjoy
taking exams but there
are things you can do
to make the experience
less stressful!
LEARNING
PHASE
✓✓ Have in place a back-up well rested (and in
plan in case of traffic any case, last minute
problems or public revision will only cause
transport delays. you to panic!).
✓✓ Ensure you have all the ✓✓ Try not to get into

REVISION
equipment you need for discussions with fellow

✓✓ Identify where the
CBE centre (if you
have entered for the
computer based exam) ✓✓ Don't forget to take
or exam hall (if you have
entered for the paper
the exam (black pens,
calculator etc).
your exam docket with
you as well as your
PHASE
students just before
the exam about what
might come up – again
this will only cause
you stress.

PREPARATION
based exam) is. student identification.

FINAL
✓✓ Plan your route to the Once the exam is over:
✓✓ Eat properly before you
CBE centre or exam leave for the exam. ✓✓ Relax.
hall, considering the
time of day you will ✓✓ Sleep properly – do not ✓✓ Don't over
be travelling and any spend the night before analyse - you
potential issues. doing last minute late cannot change

THE EXAM
night revision – you will anything now!
perform so much better
if you are alert and

Good
Luck!

APPENDIX
21
GETTING LEARNING REVISION FINAL APPENDIX
THE EXAM APPENDIX
STARTED PHASE PHASE PREPARATION – LINKS
Appendix – Links
22
 GETTING
STARTED
Appendix – Links

Page No. Link URL

LEARNING
PHASE
04 Enter for your exam http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/exams/enter-an-exam.html

04, 11, 15 Approved Content Provider http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/learning-provider/learningproviders-alpc.html

04 ACCA Learning Community https://www.accalearningcommunity.com/

04 Student Planner App http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/apps.html

REVISION
04 Exam resource finder http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources.html

PHASE
04 Student section http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student.html

07, 15, 16, 19 Specimen exam http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f4/specimen-exams/f4-

global-glo-specimen-exams.html

07, 16 Examiner's approach video http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f4/examiners-reports.html

07, 16 Examiner's reports http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f4/examiners-reports/

global.html

PREPARATION
07, 19 Syllabus and study guide http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f4/acca-f4-syllabus-study-
guide.html

FINAL
07, 16 Exam technique and syllabus updates articles http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f4/technical-articles.html

12, 13 ICC introduces new International Commercial Terms http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f4/technical-articles/icc-

introduces-new-international-commercial-terms.html

12, 13 Bribery Act 2010 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f4/technical-articles/

bribery-act-2010.html

16 Practice test http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/exams/preparing-for-exams/practice-tests.html

THE EXAM
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
– LINKS
23