At a glance
Sitting: March, June, September and December
Location: Exam centre or remote invigilation
Duration: 2.5 hours
Format: The exam consists of two compulsory questions based on two separate business scenarios.
- Each question will cover multiple areas of the syllabus and will have several requirements eg, 1.a, 1.b, 1.c etc.
- Each question is built around a fictional business case study and covers a range of different industries and types of organisations.
- Questions typically assess analysis of the current situation, evaluation of strategic options and how to implement the chosen strategy, supported by data from spreadsheets and exhibits.
- The two questions total 100 marks. The split between the questions varies (for example: 35/65 or 50/50).
Pass mark: 55%
Syllabus weighting: Questions can test across the whole syllabus. The relative weightings of subjects below should guide the relative study time spent on each.
- Strategic analysis (30-40%)
- Strategic choice (30-40%)
- Implementation and monitoring of strategy (20-30%)
- Ethics (5-10%)
Please note this is indicative and may change.
Need to know
Business judgement and strategic thinking are core skills essential to accountancy, and this exam is designed to help you develop yours. You will need to quickly understand an unfamiliar business and analyse and interpret the information provided, since part of the exam requirements will assess your analysis. You will then recommend what should happen next, explaining your reasoning clearly and concisely using the relevant quantitative and qualitative information provided.
Although it includes numbers and spreadsheet data, this exam asks you to use those numbers to support a written discussion. You will be expected to link calculations to narrative conclusions, just as you would if you were advising a client or working in a business.
This exam helps support the progression to Advanced Level and builds your communication skills by requiring a combination of quantitative evidence with clear explanation.
Remember, don’t treat this as a purely written exam and ignore the numerical information. Supporting calculations show that your recommendations are grounded in the data.
How to approach the exam
Practice is key. Practise past exams under timed conditions and rehearse how you will structure complete answers – don’t just make notes. Your goal is to replicate exam-day performance:
- Read.
- Analyse.
- Calculate where needed.
- Write a coherent response, including conclusions and recommendations where appropriate.
Focus on your exam technique: attempt all requirements, be mindful of the marks available, anchor discussion in the numbers, and finish open-ended requirements with a clear conclusion and justified actions as suited.
In the exam, make sure you engage with the spreadsheets and use calculations as the foundation for your argument. Avoid stream-of-consciousness answers that repeat textbook knowledge without applying it to the scenario provided.
Remember: manage your time tightly. If you feel stuck on part of a requirement, make the points you can and then move on. You’ll usually score most marks from the main points early; chasing a couple of extra points can cost you marks elsewhere.
Top tips for success
- Practise full questions under timed conditions (including doing questions back-to-back to simulate switching scenarios).
- Use the numbers: include supporting calculations and link them to your recommendations.
- For open-ended requirements where appropriate always recommend a course of action and justify the steps you would take.
- Attempt to answer all the questions and manage your time carefully.
Read more about Business and Digital Strategy in the ACA Syllabus Handbook.