Technician Level

System
System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
edited June 18 in AAT student discussion
Don't know if anyone can help. If I've passed ECR & FRA (fingers crossed) in the June exams, my manager is strongly encouraging me to attempt Technician in 6 months. Sitting DFS, PCR, PEV & PTC + one of the Skills Test options.

They're offering me extra study leave and as much support as they can offer but I'm not sure it's do-able. Their logic is even if I fail one or two I wont have lost anything by trying.

Does anyone else have any experience or thoughts of attempting it this quickly.

Cheers
Molly

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Hi Molly

    Over class started at 30 and by the time the exams came there were 13 in the class.

    Ive split technician over two years because it is completely different to Intermediate. There are two girls in my class that are really hot on accounts but still also found it hard with studying and work etc but again there is no harm in trying.

    Just remind them of that every now and again.

    Good Luck

    Kate
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    I would say 6 months would be extremely difficult to achieve.
    The majority of people find it hard to pass in 1 year. I took 1 and a half years myself.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Molly

    In my opinion 6 months is unrealistic. I have completed it over 12 months and have felt that it was manageable.

    In the summer I sat 3 exams, and found that it was hard going. I never really struggled with the topics covered, but there is just soooo much to learn. I think trying to sit 4 exams at once is a lot to ask.

    Of the two skills tests I have heard from other students that the cash management is easier than audit, but it really depends on your environment.

    Plus you seem to have forgotten that you need to complete Unit 10 - The dreaded project!! This is very time consuming, and without it you will not pass AAT and will not be able to start ACCA etc.

    Whatever you choose to do, good luck as AAT Technician is difficult however you choose to study.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Hi Molly

    I have been at college for the last 3 years studying the AAT since Foundation and although at the time I thought that the transition from Foundation to Intermediate was hard it was nothing compared to the tranistion from Intermediate to Technician.

    College started in September and I did the Cash Management SBA in October and sat PEV exam in December, I also had to hand my project in by December which was so hard and time consuming, but it was out of the way. After the Christmas break we started studying for DFS, PTC and PCR which I sat in June.

    I can honestly say that the volume of work involved in Technician stage is enormous and most people in my class split it over one and half year or even two years. I really struggled this year not so much with the learning but just the volume.

    I personally think that it is nearly impossible to complete Technician within 6 months as well as working, no matter how much support you get. If you do go for it Good Luck and let us know how you do :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    I took the course over a year, and I would say that whether you decide to attempt it in 6 months depends on how much drive you have to learn the subjects.

    I wanted to learn and understand the topics, which meant that I didn't find the course too difficult as most of the information stuck. I'm sure you've gathered from Intermediate whether you have a talent for AAT material, and therefore I would suggest you rely on your own judgement. If you found Intermediate managable, and you want to learn the topics inside out, 6 months should do (and if you fail, retake them and there's no harm done).

    Good luck
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Technician Level
    molly84 wrote:
    Don't know if anyone can help. If I've passed ECR & FRA (fingers crossed) in the June exams, my manager is strongly encouraging me to attempt Technician in 6 months. Sitting DFS, PCR, PEV & PTC + one of the Skills Test options.

    They're offering me extra study leave and as much support as they can offer but I'm not sure it's do-able. Their logic is even if I fail one or two I wont have lost anything by trying.

    Does anyone else have any experience or thoughts of attempting it this quickly.

    Cheers
    Molly
    it will be really hard, also have you completed all those health n safety working withcomputers etc at foundation/intermediate level. Its definately possible but its more aimed atfull timestudents i did foundation and intermediate in 6 months but technician theres alotof work to do.

    its not impossible but itsgoing to behard, go for it and see what happens
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    hi, based on my personal experience of just finishing tackling technician in one college year, i couldn't possibly imagine the pressure i would have felt trying to do it all in just 6 months. one thing i would recommend, if you hven't been advised of it already, if you do decide to split the units, i would say do pcr & pev together and sit in one exam sitting as there is alot of cross over. i enjoyed doing dfs & btc together too
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Thanks for all the advice guys!!

    Have signed up for the four exams, picked PTC over BTC. But depending how things are going I may choose to drop this and then sit the two skills test options after Xmas, leaving PCR, PEV and DFS to sit in December.

    Have done H&S and WWC which leave me with MSP to do - the bit I'm not looking forward to!!

    Anyway... we'll see how it goes, I've got to have passed ECR & FRA first, so Good luck to everyone waiting for exam results!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    hi

    From my personal point of view 6 months would be hard going but not impossible!! there is a lot to cover in technician and if you ensure you dont have a life lol! for 6 months it can be managed I couldnt have done it in 6 months due to the massive volume of info you need to digest (all the bloody IAS for DFS - nightmare to remember!) .....but my colleague gave up work for a year and has done both level 3 and 4 in one year!!she does have good accounting experience tho! shes just waiting for her June results but she managed to pass everything on both levels! she was very stressed and towards the end was mixing up subjects and getting in a bit of a state, but shes done it!! i take my hat off to her she was determined and shes done her self proud, so if you put it in your head to do it i think you could!!
    Good luck
    xx
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    I personally think doing it over 6 months is not practical.

    I passed Technican over 1 year and work really hard, i even took all the units just in case i failed the optional exams is still meant that i passed the stage.

    At it happened I passed all execpt BTC and gave it a miss in December but for my own sake have retaken in June.

    I found that as i wokred in practice it helped doing the Tax options but there is an auful lot to learn.

    If you are prepared to put in the work it is possible i aslo think it depends on if you are at college or home study as a lot of support is required. :)
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level
    Ju82 wrote:

    I found that as i wokred in practice it helped doing the Tax options but there is an auful lot to learn.

    are you manager?I want to work in accounting firm to be manager does it take ages like or can you fast track?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    You seem to be obsessed with wanting to be a Manager.
    My last senior had waited 10 years before being made a manager.
    I may run my department after working here for three and a half years but I first entered accounts in 1969.
    I returned after a break of thirty years and have started again at the bottom. I am teaching now, even though I still have a year to go on my technician, I have done it over two years. I still have a lot to learn and I know that if I went to another practice I may be lucky to be treated as a semi senior.
    The AAT qualification is not a magic wand that turns you into an accomplished,experienced professional overnight, it takes many years of practice, research and learning before you can be considered a*manager*.
    May I suggest that you keep your ambition at the back of your mind and concentrate on getting the experience you need.
    Good luck for the future, but slow down.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    i found that when i did mine i completed mine in school term so just under a year however i found it extremely easy to do, i would say six months would be an overkill not necessarily due to the volume you will have to learn but also the pressure you would be putting on yourself.

    anything is possible though if you stay calm but you seem to be panicing now so i would just take it easy. I like to think recently i do these exams to better myself and will do it in my own time that i feel comfortable with (of course not years and years) not made to do it as that is no fun.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Taken all the points made on board... thanks.

    Taz, it isn't in my nature to panic. I'm going for the 6 months but if it doesn't come off it won't be the end of the world. I've got confidence in myself and believe if I put my mind to it then I've got a chance. Work and college are both very supportive and I know I'll need all their help come revision/exam time.

    Farmergils, as for becoming a manager... doesn't really interest me - the main reason for finishing AAT is it gets me onto a proper contract, more security (&more money). Work understand it's a long shot so what have I got to lose...

    Thanks again guys.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    molly84 wrote:
    Farmergiles, as for becoming a manager... doesn't really interest me - the main reason for finishing AAT is it gets me onto a proper contract, more security (&more money)
    I think Farmer G's remarks were aimed at the person called 'justly' rather than at yourself molly since there's a thread elsewhere on the Technician Forum about this.

    Regards,

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Sorry, Molly, wasn't aimed at you. I got side tracked and forgot to answer your question.
    I think that you are going to give yourself a hell of a lot of work. I hope you are able to do it and I wish you every success. You won't know if you don't try. Go for it girl.
    Regards
    Peter
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    sorry got a bit confused there!

    thanks for the message.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Hi Molly

    I reckon you would be hard pushed to do it in a year. A friend of mine completed it in year, but only the 3 compulsory exams and 2 skills tests. It took me 2 years. Think carefully before you embark on such a venture - is it worth it?

    Eva :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Technician Level

    Hi Molly

    I started Technician last September - I did DFS an PTC at Christmas, Unit 10 at Easter and PEV,PCR and BTC in June. I went to college at night, which after a day at work is something i wouldn't recommend!

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