ACCA F7 International or UK?

Luciana

Hi guys

I am planning to take F7 this December. Could anyone give me some advice on which exam to take International or UK?

Many thanks

Luciana

Nps

Do the International version. I couldn't work out why so few people in my exam hall were sitting the UK version, bearing in mind we were in the UK, and therefore doing the UK option seemed the sensible choice.

I now know that the UK syllabus is the same as the International syllabus but with an extra 10% of content. I wasn't aware up until right before the exam that 10% of the International exam can be replaced with 10 marks on UK GAAP to make the UK paper. I therefore threw 10% of my marks away as I hadn't studied UK GAAP. The question they replaced in the International exam was about ratios which I could have done with my eyes closed - I wasn't pleased!

BPP's text book (which I used) states it is for the UK exam, but it does not include the UK GAAP part of the syllabus which I think is really bad (two lines in the intro direct you to their website to download the extra pages - I didn't read the intro as it looked the same as the intro in all of their other books!). I believe Kaplan do include the UK GAAP elements in their book (normally I'm a big fan of BPP over Kaplan but on this occasion, Kaplan turned out to the better text book).

All the revision kits are also geared towards the International paper - I did every single exam paper in the BPP UK revision kit and UK GAAP did not come up once - I can only assume that the exams were the International exams. I self studied so I guess issues like this are the risk I take.

So my advice would only be to do the UK version if there is a specific reason you need to, and make sure you have covered the extra 10% of syllabus if you do.

When you come to F8 though, I believe you are better off doing the UK version as (I think) you need the UK version if you plan to work in audit (I could be wrong though).

Luciana

Nps1976 wrote: »

Do the International version. I couldn't work out why so few people in my exam hall were sitting the UK version, bearing in mind we were in the UK, and therefore doing the UK option seemed the sensible choice.

I now know that the UK syllabus is the same as the International syllabus but with an extra 10% of content. I wasn't aware up until right before the exam that 10% of the International exam can be replaced with 10 marks on UK GAAP to make the UK paper. I therefore threw 10% of my marks away as I hadn't studied UK GAAP. The question they replaced in the International exam was about ratios which I could have done with my eyes closed - I wasn't pleased!

BPP's text book (which I used) states it is for the UK exam, but it does not include the UK GAAP part of the syllabus which I think is really bad (two lines in the intro direct you to their website to download the extra pages - I didn't read the intro as it looked the same as the intro in all of their other books!). I believe Kaplan do include the UK GAAP elements in their book (normally I'm a big fan of BPP over Kaplan but on this occasion, Kaplan turned out to the better text book).

All the revision kits are also geared towards the International paper - I did every single exam paper in the BPP UK revision kit and UK GAAP did not come up once - I can only assume that the exams were the International exams. I self studied so I guess issues like this are the risk I take.

So my advice would only be to do the UK version if there is a specific reason you need to, and make sure you have covered the extra 10% of syllabus if you do.

When you come to F8 though, I believe you are better off doing the UK version as (I think) you need the UK version if you plan to work in audit (I could be wrong though).

Thanks a lot!

I shall book my exam for the international version.

jenny3549

Agree completely with Nps. Wish I'd done the International version as the UK variant was just annoying (even with the Kaplan book!).

Also, ACCA are withdrawing the UK versions for F7 and F4 next year anyway so you're definitely best with the Int.

Good luck for December.

Nps

I didn't know the UK versions were being withdrawn. I agree that it makes sense for F7 but I'm surprised about F4 as that made sense to do the UK version. It'll be interesting to see how they do a whole syllabus that's relevant to every single country.....

Nps

Apparently it's F7 and F8 which are having the UK variants withdrawn. It looks like F4 will still be localised.

Luciana

jenny3549 wrote: »

Agree completely with Nps. Wish I'd done the International version as the UK variant was just annoying (even with the Kaplan book!).

Also, ACCA are withdrawing the UK versions for F7 and F4 next year anyway so you're definitely best with the Int.

Good luck for December.

Thanks! I also received the ACCA email about withdrawing the UK version exams. Definately go for the international version.

jenny3549

Nps1976 wrote: »

Apparently it's F7 and F8 which are having the UK variants withdrawn. It looks like F4 will still be localised.

Whoops! You're right, I've got F4 on the brain at the moment!!!

Apologies for confusing anyone. :blushing:

Kirsty813

I am confused - does not take a lot !!!!
I was planning on taking F4 UK. It is not the right thing to do !!!!!!

Nps

F4 UK is fine to do (assuming you are in the UK of course). It's F7 and F8 which are losing their UK variants.