Self Study

caroline23

Hi all, just wondering if any of you did level 3 completely self study, just by buying the books then sitting the exams externally? this is what i have done for level 2 and found it manageable but not sure on if it would be possible for level 3 as some people say it is quite a step up from level 2?

Nps

Hi,

I've self studied levels 2, 3 and 4. I don't work in accounts so it's fair to say that if something's not in the text books then I don't know it. I've found it very achievable but then I've always preferred to learn from a book rather than listening to a lecturer. It all depends on how you learn best. I find you can go at your own pace if you self study too. I didn't discover this forum until very late in my studies but from what I can see, if you do choose the self study route there is lots of help available here if you need clarification on something.

Of course there is a step up between the levels but only sofar as you build on previous knowledge so couldn't jump straight into the higher levels.

Nunezertron

Hi,

I'm considering taking level 2 and might well just buy the books and self study. Can I ask those who have done this:
- which books did you buy and were you happy with them?
- how you go about getting yourself booked in for exams?
- what version of Sage do you need to get hold of?

dsavickij

I have been self studying from level 2 and basically for level 2 got the books from osbourne. Passed the first 3 exams and didnt bother with weaf and computerised accounting. Just moved onto level 3. Finished level 3 and now just waiting for the last level 4 exam to come through.

You dont need to pass level 2 to gain the full AAT qualification and having looked over weaf and computerised accounting i decided to skip them, as they both cost quite a bit to do and i didnt think i would have learnt anything from them.

angmc

That's an interesting thought. Do you know if you need Level 3 to go onto level 4? I started at Level 2 and am now doing Level 3 with Premier and I'm very happy with them but I'm wondering if it's worth just doing the studying and practice assessments on Level 3 to gain the knowledge but not doing the exams and save myself some money & stress! If I then went onto Level 4 and did the exams would I still gain the full AAT qualification?

dsavickij

You need to complete level 3&4 to gain the AAT qualification

angmc

Thanks. Thought it sounded too good to be true. Wish I'd know at Level 2 though I wouldn't have bothered doing the exams.

Nunezertron

I just spoke to someone via live chat on the AAT homepage and mentioned that I was considering teaching myself and wanted to know how to register for the exams. I was told that you can't do that and have to register through a recognised educational establishment. That didn't sound right based on what other people have said on here, but I didn't really want to tell him he was wrong.
So how have people managed to take exams in the past with self study?

Nps

I answered another thread only last week, started by someone who had been told exactly the same thing by 2 different people at AAT. I can assure you, as I did her, that it is perfectly possible to self study.

What I think they are getting at is that you have to be registered with an exam centre (who are generally training providers too) in order to sit exams, as only the establishment shown on your AAT record can upload your exam. I took my exams at both Kaplan and BPP centres so just had to ensure that on the day before an exam, I phoned up AAT to change my provider to whoever I was sitting the exam with.

If you already have an idea as to where you will be sitting your exams, just say that they are your training provider.

Nps

In answer to your earlier query, I always used BPP books and never came across anything in either the exams or the practices assessments that was not adequately covered. I have heard people say that BPP go into too much detail sometimes, but I'd rather that than using a simpler book which may not cover everything. I was always confident that that I had covered the whole syllabus.

liveprincess

I took my exams at both Kaplan and BPP centres so just had to ensure that on the day before an exam, I phoned up AAT to change my provider to whoever I was sitting the exam with.

To add to the confusion I am registered with Kaplan distance learning (I am studying with them) but I took some exams at BPP as it was more convenient but I didn't have to phone AAT and change providers and I had no problems swapping the exam centres..

Nunezertron

Nps1976 wrote: »

I can assure you, as I did her, that it is perfectly possible to self study.

What I think they are getting at is that you have to be registered with an exam centre (who are generally training providers too) in order to sit exams, as only the establishment shown on your AAT record can upload your exam.

Ok thanks Nps. So in order to get yourself booked in for the exams did you just phone up Kaplan or BPP and say that you wanted to register for exams only?

Nps

I just phoned them up, paid my exam fee and turned up on the day (after calling AAT of course to get them to show the right centre so they could upload the exam)! I didn't really register with the exam centres, just gave them my name, AAT number and the all important debit card details. I got the impression they were quite used to external students and that perhaps even their own distance learning students booked exams in the same way.

Nunezertron

angmc wrote: »

That's an interesting thought. Do you know if you need Level 3 to go onto level 4? I started at Level 2 and am now doing Level 3 with Premier and I'm very happy with them but I'm wondering if it's worth just doing the studying and practice assessments on Level 3 to gain the knowledge but not doing the exams and save myself some money & stress! If I then went onto Level 4 and did the exams would I still gain the full AAT qualification?

I just spoke to someone from AAT via live chat and asked which exams were compulsory to get the AAT qualification. This is what I was told: "The AAT qualification has 3 levels: Level 2, 3 and 4. Depending on your experience and previous qualifications, you may be able to start at level 3 or even 4. I would suggest you do our online skills test at www.aatskillcheck.org which will reccomend which level you should start at. All exemptions are handled by our training providers so you would need to confirm your entry level with them upon enrollment onto your course."

Nunezertron

Can anybody tell me which version of Sage I need to get me through the AAT exams please? Looks like it can get quite expensive so I don't want to be buying more than I need to.

angmc

Hmm so that would suggest that I could carry on doing Level 3 via Premier, do their assessments but not the AAT exams then get Premier to confirm that I have the necessary skills/knowledge to get me an exemption from Level 3 and go onto Level 4, then complete Level 4 including the AAT exams and that would get me the full qualification?!

RobClarke

We are using Sage Line 50 - not sure if others would be acceptable - I am sure someone will post on here if this is the case?

Nunezertron

angmc wrote: »

Hmm so that would suggest that I could carry on doing Level 3 via Premier, do their assessments but not the AAT exams then get Premier to confirm that I have the necessary skills/knowledge to get me an exemption from Level 3 and go onto Level 4, then complete Level 4 including the AAT exams and that would get me the full qualification?!

Well the AAT person said "Depending on your experience and previous qualifications, you may be able to start at level 3 or even 4... All exemptions are handled by our training providers so you would need to confirm your entry level with them"

but the BPP website says "Please note – BPP cannot exempt you from either Level Two or Level Three of the AAT qualification. We can only advise you which level is the most appropriate start point for you. We accept no responsibility for any student denied full membership of the AAT"

I also spoke to someone from Kaplan who said that levels 3 and 4 were compulsory whatever your prior level of knowledge.
Very frustrating trying to get a straight answer.

SarahJS

I'm pretty sure levels 3 and 4 are compulsory, unless you have an accounting degree when you can start at 4.

Can't remember where I read this though.

Spamkebab

I nearly posted the same as you Sarah as i'm sure i've read similar BUT i found this, taken straight from the AAT website:

Achieving MAAT status via the AAT Accounting qualification

To apply for MAAT status, you’ll usually need to have:

been an AAT student member for 12 months
achieved levels 3 and 4 of the AAT Accounting Qualification.
You may have a qualification or professional experience in place of level 3. This should have been confirmed by your AAT tutor as sufficient for you to begin studying at level 4.

You can start preparing for full membership even if you don't yet meet these criteria. Record your work experience and nominate your professional referee in advance. Then you'll be ready to gain MAAT status as soon as you qualify.

Kris1990

Nps1976 wrote: »

I answered another thread only last week, started by someone who had been told exactly the same thing by 2 different people at AAT. I can assure you, as I did her, that it is perfectly possible to self study.

What I think they are getting at is that you have to be registered with an exam centre (who are generally training providers too) in order to sit exams, as only the establishment shown on your AAT record can upload your exam. I took my exams at both Kaplan and BPP centres so just had to ensure that on the day before an exam, I phoned up AAT to change my provider to whoever I was sitting the exam with.

If you already have an idea as to where you will be sitting your exams, just say that they are your training provider.

I'm looking to self study for level 4 as I'm not happy with how long it takes HLC to book exams (2-3 months). How long (on average) did it take you to book an exam? For example if you were ready to take an exam now, could you sit it next week?

Cheers

Nps

I've been known to book an exam at 5pm and sit it at 10am the next morning. I've also had to book one 3 weeks in advance. It really just depends on the provider, whether they run exams 5 times a week or just twice a month. I also had a bit of a delay over the CIMA exam season as one of my providers suspended all AAT exams for a few weeks to clear space for CIMA students.

I've been lucky to have 2 exam centres within minutes of each other so if one couldn't fit me in, the other usually could.

Kris1990

Nps1976 wrote: »

I've been known to book an exam at 5pm and sit it at 10am the next morning. I've also had to book one 3 weeks in advance. It really just depends on the provider, whether they run exams 5 times a week or just twice a month. I also had a bit of a delay over the CIMA exam season as one of my providers suspended all AAT exams for a few weeks to clear space for CIMA students.

I've been lucky to have 2 exam centres within minutes of each other so if one couldn't fit me in, the other usually could.

Brilliant, just what I wanted to hear, thanks

Clintm15

I agree with Nps. I am just about to finish level 4 (pending results) and I have completed every level via self study. I too wasn't sure if it was possible when I began but I can assure you that it is.

@Nunezertron - You won't need Sage at all.