We are here to support you throughout your ACA journey, to ensure you have everything you need for your upcoming exam we have provided the tips below.
Preparing for your exam
Exam resources
Our exam resources include an overview, syllabus, pilot and sample exams, as well as top tips and guidance to help you prepare.
Update your contact details
You will be contacted if there are any changes to your exam. Please ensure that all your contact details, including your email and phone number, are up-to-date via your Pearson account and your training file.
What you need to do before your exam
Whether you’re sitting your exam in a centre or via remote invigilation, please read the information below before the exam.
If you have any questions about the exam booking process itself, we have a helpful booking guide available:
Exam summary
Make sure you carefully review the details in your exam summary and exam booking confirmation email; make a note of the date, time and exam centre address (where applicable). You can also print off the details about your exam.
Erratas
Errata sheets are there to show any corrections, please check the exam resources for any updated erratas before your exam.
Exam instructions
Exam instructions: exam centre - Certificate Level and ICAEW CFAB exams Exam instructions: remote invigilation - Certificate Level and ICAEW CFAB exams
Learning materials
Our learning materials are updated each year. The updates reflect changes in the syllabus, legislation, finance acts and financial reporting standards. We will also include any changes to the type of questions you can expect to see in an exam. So it is important that you use the correct edition of the learning materials to ensure that you have everything you need to work towards that pass.
Our learning materials are available digitally on the ICAEW Bookshelf. The digital ICAEW Workbooks work much like printed books in that you can still write notes on them and highlight them, but with the additional benefits of being able to search for key terms, change the settings to make them easier to read, and have the book read itself to you with the text to speech function.
ICAEW Bookshelf - have you registered correctly?
Please check you have registered correctly for the ICAEW Bookshelf. You need to register using your existing ICAEW credentials. If you selected ‘new user’ at the registration stage your account will not be linked to your ICAEW account.
You can check if you have registered correctly by logging into your ICAEW Bookshelf using the account details you use to access areas on icaew.com such as your training file. If you are not able to log in using those credentials, or you can log in but find your bookshelf is empty, please contact ICAEW student support who will investigate moving your learning materials.
Exam systems status page
Our exam systems status page displays alerts, issues and updates relating to our exam systems. We recommend you check this page frequently for any updates.
Reminders if you are sitting your exam via remote invigilation
System check and exam link
You must run a system check on the same network and computer you will use on the exam day. We recommend you complete a system check before you book your exam and that you use a personal computer or laptop. If you only have an employer provided laptop, please check with them first to ensure that it meets the technical specification required.
The system check will detect if your internet bandwidth is sufficient, you have a working webcam and your device has audio and volume control, it does not confirm that your computer meets the minimum technical requirements.
Failure to complete this in advance could result in you being unable to access your exam or facing technical issues on the day. Even if you've previously performed a system check, it is crucial to do so again. Any software updates or changes on the computer that you will use to sit your exam may impact your ability to access the exam.
Exam start time
You can view your exam start time within your exam booking confirmation email. Your exam start time is displayed in your local time.
Any exams that start more than 15 minutes late will not be marked, so it is essential that you contact Pearson via the in-exam chat, alternatively Pearson Exam Support by telephone, within the first 15 minutes of the scheduled exam start time should you experience technical difficulties or need further guidance. This will enable us to provide assistance to help you to get started.
Further guidance
For further guidance on remote invigilation please visit Pearson.
After your exam
Exam disruption appeal
If you experience an issue during your exam, you must report this to Pearson via the greeter or invigilator on the day of your exam. If you are unable to contact them, you should contact Pearson via the in-exam chat, alternatively Pearson Exam Support by telephone, to report the issue and ensure it has been logged. If you feel the issue has impacted your exam performance, you can apply for an exam disruption appeal.
For Certificate Level exams, the deadline to apply for exam disruption appeal is seven days from your exam. For example, if you sit an exam on a Monday you will have until 23:59 the following Monday to submit your exam disruption appeal application.
Getting your results
Results are available within 24 hours following your exam via your online training file.
Whistleblower form
Need to report something about ICAEW exams? Please use the confidential whistleblower form.