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MDCL Exam 2nd failure

Hil63Hil63 Posts: 10Registered
in Management Accounting: Decisions and Control
I've just had my result today of Level 4 MDCL - not yet competent with 66%!
Very demoralised - this was the second time of taking the exam, last time I got 61% so I have improved but that is of no consolation due to failing again!
The exam is nothing like the practice assessments - the questions were worded in such a way that I could not even work out what they were asking.
I've emailed my tutor and the AAT (once more) saying how disappointed I am.
I really don't know what more I could have done to pass - I spent hours if not days studying to pass this exam but still fell short. My synoptic results are due 30/6, I really hope I've passed this as it will be difficult to motivate myself to co tinge if not.
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  • Awlad_MiahAwlad_Miah LondonPosts: 6Registered
    https://www.aat.org.uk/assessment/review-management-accounting-decision-and-control-assessment

    Not sure if this link will help.
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  • Yalda20Yalda20 Posts: 77Registered
    @Hil63 - Hi,
    I also got my result the same date as as you and got 64% really disappointed with myself. Due to other exams and summer holidays I cannot retake this exam until end of October. I am really devastated and have no motivation to study for my other units. I am looking for some tips and advice of how to prepare again.
    Can I please ask if your re-sit was similar to your first sittings?Many thanks.
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  • CasuCasu Posts: 102Registered, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
    Whose study books have you been using?
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  • Yalda20Yalda20 Posts: 77Registered
    I have been using Osborne books. I felt 100% ready for the exam like all my other exams. I left question 1, 5 and partially question 3 as I didn't even understand the question.
    Have you done this exam and passed? what book are you using can I please ask @Casu? many thanks
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  • CasuCasu Posts: 102Registered, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
    Hi Yalda. Im all passed, a while ago. But I do help a fair few students too when I can. One thing Ive noticed with some is that buying an alternative providers books is a good idea as each seem to cover things in different ways and students take to their books in different ways. I always thought BPP very dry, but like the books that just have you digging in and practising and learning as you go. But I would say, if you are struggling consider BPP, Kaplan as well as Osborne. Kaplan is probably one I would suggest. You can pick their books up for less than £20. Or it might be worth purchasing the module kit from First Intuition. You could rattle through that and be ready for October. Re being de-motivated - just go back to something you really enjoyed and were good at - run through some questions - its amazing how getting a pile correct get you right back in the mood for study. Dont be disheartened.
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  • Hil63Hil63 Posts: 10Registered
    The re-sit was exactly the same as the first exam I sat. I'm using BPP books and I've also bought Kaplan too. I also cannot re-sit until after the summer holidays but am presently de-motivated. It is hard to keep all the learning fresh in your mind, especially if I'm not re-sitting until Sept at the earliest.
    What have the AAT got to say about the very (very) low pass rate for the MDCL exam I wonder? I have read all the statements they have put out but I don't think they go far enough!
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  • CasuCasu Posts: 102Registered, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation
    edited June 2017
    Hil63 said:

    The re-sit was exactly the same as the first exam I sat. I'm using BPP books and I've also bought Kaplan too. I also cannot re-sit until after the summer holidays but am presently de-motivated. It is hard to keep all the learning fresh in your mind, especially if I'm not re-sitting until Sept at the earliest.
    What have the AAT got to say about the very (very) low pass rate for the MDCL exam I wonder? I have read all the statements they have put out but I don't think they go far enough!

    About the keeping learning fresh, that's a requirement of the job I'm afraid. Don't just learn to pass an exam, it needs to be ingrained on the brain as it could be years before you use any of it, but use it you will.

    Re the low pass rate, perhaps AAT are looking to become more like the ACCA who deliberately set exams to be harder and with low pass rate so they get the very best people.

    Try open tuition if you're still struggling and follow some of the ACCA lectures on the same topics, you should soon get it.
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  • BertieBertie West Midlands Posts: 376Registered
    I agree with @casu

    Learn the syllabus so as that it stays in your brain, not to pass an exam.

    What does your study timetable look like? Hours per week etc?

    Try to get the question booklets from Kaplan and BPP.

    Are you struggling on anything particular in this unit?

    MDCL? What unit is this? It has all changed since I sat mine.

    I do remember reading that the AAT were re-marking some papers, I think it was in PQ or NQ. Is this the paper?
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  • BertieBertie West Midlands Posts: 376Registered
    And yes, the learning never ends.

    I've completed all of mine and I'll still grab an old study text from time to time.

    You'll find that together with keeping upto date with HMRC changes, as best as you can! You'll also buy books like ACCA F6/P6 each year for personal CPD.

    And depending how deep you delve into tax - the Tolleys books too.

    You will get there. Keep at it!
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  • Yalda20Yalda20 Posts: 77Registered
    Hi @Hil63,
    Many thanks for letting me know. Let me know you how you get on with your exam? Hopefully we will be able to pass it next time.

    @Casu - Many thanks for your advice and kind words to motivate me. I appreciate it. I am not struggling with anything from the Osborne book to be honest I am fairly ok. Before sitting my exam my tutor borrowed me the Kaplan book because I was nervous about taking the exam. I did read through that book as well but in the exam itself I left out question 1, 5 and partially question 3. I am still amazed to get 64% I must have done well on other question. What AACA papers would you recommend for me to go through? I understand some students who had the same question as myself stated that question 1 and 5 I think were from an ACCA papers. Many thanks and have a lovely day.
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  • xciteuk86xciteuk86 Posts: 2Registered
    Just wanted to chip in regarding the BPP books on this module (MDCL) - absolutely horrendous, there were countless errors within the study text and exam book, very sloppy work which made the book close to impossible to study/work from. My class heavily relied on our teacher for this module, and she used alternative material. I failed it on 69%, for the resit I plan on purchasing Kaplan resources.
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  • Yalda20Yalda20 Posts: 77Registered
    Hi @xciteuk86 -
    Many thanks for letting us know. I got a copy of the Kaplan book for this unit a few days before my exam it's a bit different from Osborne book but nothing like the real exam. To be honest, I didn't find it that useful. I think there were a few posts here about studying ACCA papers so may be look into those. When are you planning to do your re-sit?can you please let me know how you get on? Many thanks and good luck for your exam :)
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  • JWSMJWSM Posts: 5Registered
    I too have failed my resit for MDCL with 67%, I have purchased the module from first intuition including their online lectures as well as having use of the Osborne books. I didn't feel confident going into my first exam but felt confident going into my second one. I do find the way they word the questions really vague and it leaves me unsure of what they are actually asking. I am due my third resit on 30 June so hopefully it's 3rd time lucky for me. I think it's just luck of the draw of questions. Can't wait until this year is over. Shame as I really wanted to do ACCA after this but now I don't think I have the motivation. Good luck to you all with resits.
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  • fclarkefclarke Posts: 12Registered
    I sat my first MDCL exam yesterday and it was horrendous. I had read all the feedback that other students had given so I went into the exam knowing it was going to be difficult. I don't think I could possibly have studied any harder than I did. I used Osborne books and also the study material on AAT website. There were so many questions that I had no idea how to tackle as I had no practice of them. If I need to re-take, which I most likely will based on my answers, I don't see how I could prepare for it better than I did this time!

    The material in the exam compared to that of the books and even the AAT practice papers is not the same. I understand that Level 4 is hard, but I have sat Financial Statements and Budgeting and passed them with 95% and 80%!

    Why have AAT made this exam so difficult?
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  • Hil63Hil63 Posts: 10Registered
    I feel exactly the same as you - I've now re-taken twice, but haven't set a third date as yet. I just don't know how else I can study this material. It's very demoralising for the AAT to do this. I passed Financial Statements with 78% and Budgeting with 80%. My Synoptic result is due tomorrow!!
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