What is the hardest ACCA exam to pass?

There's no single hardest ACCA exam, but Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) and Advanced Financial Management (AFM) are frequently cited as the most challenging, often due to low pass rates, requiring deep professional judgment, application, and strong writing skills, not just rote learning. Other tough contenders include Strategic Business Reporting (SBR), Strategic Business Leader (SBL), and Advanced Performance Management (APM), all demanding complex analysis and application.

Which ACCA paper has the highest pass rate?

Applied Skills

• LW – Corporate and Business Law: 81%
• PM – Performance Management: 43%
• TX – Taxation: 55%
• FR – Financial Reporting: 50%
• AA – Audit and Assurance: 44%
• FM – Financial Management: 48%

What is the top 3 toughest exam in the world?

The three toughest exams globally often cited for their extreme difficulty, low pass rates, and high stakes are China's Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam) for its sheer scale and competitiveness, India's UPSC Civil Services Exam for its life-altering potential and minuscule selection, and India's IIT-JEE Advanced (Joint Entrance Exam) for its rigorous engineering entrance criteria, alongside prestigious UK fellowships like the All Souls Prize Exam, with difficulty varying by individual and goals. 

Why is ACCA AAA so hard?

The depth and breadth of knowledge required can be overwhelming for many students. Similar to APM, AAA demands the application of theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. Students must be able to interpret and apply auditing standards to various case studies, which can be challenging without practical experience.

Which is better AAA or ATX?

ATX is more focused on technical aspects such as calculations, tax regulations, etc. Whereas AAA focuses more on professional skills such as analysis, application, judgment, suggestions, and communication skills. Therefore, the level of difficulty of each exam depends on your skills.

How to Study & Pass your ACCA Exams | Best Revision Tips for Exam Success

Is ACCA closing in 2026?

Completion deadline - 2026.

All students and members must submit all requirements for the BSc programme by May 2026. The closure of the programme following December 2026 will have no effect on the recognition or validity of this prestigious qualification. You will continue to enjoy the reputational benefits it offers.

Which is the toughest subject in ACCA?

Most Difficult ACCA Subjects (with Pass Rates)

• Strategic Business Leader (SBL) Level: Strategic Professional. ...
• Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) Level: Strategic Professional. ...
• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) Level: Strategic Professional. ...
• Financial Reporting (FR) Level: Applied Skills. ...
• Taxation (TX) Level: Applied Skills.

Why do so many people fail ACCA?

Students usually fail an exam because they do not have the necessary knowledge OR they have poor exam technique OR a combination of both – the first step to success in studying for your retake is to understand the reason you failed.

What is the pass rate for AAA ACCA?

Advanced Taxation (ATX) led with a 52% pass rate, followed by Advanced Financial Management (AFM) at 45%. Both Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) and Advanced Performance Management (APM) recorded the lowest pass rates in this category, each at 39%.

Is ACCA tough for an average student?

This example makes it very clear that while ACCA can be challenging for average students, with the right mindset, strategies, and support, they can overcome obstacles and excel in their exams. Success in ACCA ultimately depends on individual dedication, perseverance, and willingness to put in the necessary effort.

What is the hardest accounting exam in the world?

The Chartered Accountant exam is one of the toughest exams in the world. It is both a professional qualification and a personal achievement. The exam consists of two parts- Professional Practice and Personal Proficiency.

Who is the easiest exam in the world?

List of Easiest Exams in the World

• Duolingo English Test (DET)
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
• SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Exams.
• Cambridge English: Key (KET)
• SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Exam.
• IELTS General Training Test.
• Gaokao Mock Test.

How to pass ACCA quickly?

/ Study the whole syllabus, because the exam will cover the full syllabus. / Practise as many questions as possible. / Read questions very carefully in the examination. / Try to attempt the 'easy' examination questions first.

Do Big 4 accept ACCA?

All Big 4 accountancy firms – Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG – are active recruiters of ACCA-affiliated accountants. Choice often depends on your interest area: audit, consulting, tax, or advisory.

Who is the topper of ACCA 2025?

Congratulations to Bhaskar Thakur, who scored an impressive 96 in the Financial Reporting (FR) paper for the September 2025 session, earning the title of Global Prizewinner! Your remarkable performance is an inspiration to students worldwide, proving that with passion and persistence, excellence knows no boundaries.

How many ACCA pass every year?

The average global ACCA pass rate typically ranges between 40% and 55%, though it varies for each exam level and sitting.

Who won the ACCA Prize in September 2025?

Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management & Technology (TAR UMT) is on a roll again; two of its graduates just secured Top in Malaysia in the ACCA September 2025 exam session, with Ng Yew Sheng topping Advanced Taxation (ATX-MYS) and Lai Xin Hong topping Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)!

Is ACCA harder than other accounting qualifications?

While ACCA is not difficult than CA, CFA but it does have medium difficulty level. Some papers like advanced performance management, advanced audit and assurance have 40% passing rated as on June 2025. These figures reflect real challenges in those papers.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The three toughest exams globally often cited for their extreme difficulty, low pass rates, and high stakes are China's Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam) for its sheer scale and competitiveness, India's UPSC Civil Services Exam for its life-altering potential and minuscule selection, and India's IIT-JEE Advanced (Joint Entrance Exam) for its rigorous engineering entrance criteria, alongside prestigious UK fellowships like the All Souls Prize Exam, with difficulty varying by individual and goals. 

Why do leaders fail ACCA?

They sometimes demonstrate emotional volatility (eg being initially enthusiastic but then disappointed or even angry about things). Often, they are insightful but overly sceptical about others, which can make them appear reserved, aloof and risk-averse. 'Moving against'.

How to get 100% in every test?

To get 100% on every test, you need active learning, consistent habits, and error analysis, focusing on understanding concepts deeply (not just memorizing), practicing with mock tests to mimic exam conditions, using techniques like active recall and spaced repetition, and analyzing past mistakes to prevent repeats, ensuring you know the material so well you can perform without notes. It requires discipline and strategic effort, focusing on how you learn as much as what you learn, while also managing your body and mind with rest and nutrition. 

Which is the easiest paper in ACCA?

Based on data provided by students and institutes, it is determined that F1 (Accountant in Business) is the easiest paper with the highest pass rate of 85%, while P7 (Advanced Audit and Assurance) is the toughest paper with the lowest pass rate of 30%..

Which two ACCA exams to take together?

You will also benefit from the assumed knowledge you have gained from studying the first exam, which will enable you to learn the second one much easier:

• Combination #1: LW and then TX.
• Combination #2: PM and then FM.
• Combination #3: FR and then AA.
• Combination #4: SBR and AFM.
• Combination #5: AFM and APM.

Which is more tough, CFA or ACCA?

- Is ACCA more difficult than CFA? No, the CFA qualification tends to be considered slightly more difficult than ACCA - but this is to some extent a subjective matter, differing from person to person. Many people don't make it through the three levels of CFA because of the time required to finish the course.