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2019 update APM study support guide v2

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APM Study
support guide
n
Plan
n
Prepare
n
Pass
Advanced Performance
Management (APM)
Plan
n
Prepare
n
GETTING
STARTED
n
Pass
LEARNING
PHASE
✓✓ Signposted resources and how to use them
✓✓ Interactive clickable checklists to keep you on track
03
Learning phase
10
Revision phase
16
Final preparation
20
The exam
22
Appendix – Links24
THE EXAM
✓✓ Tips for success to help you through your studies
Getting started
Stages of
study
✓✓ Structured approach to show you how to succeed
Sections
FINAL
PREPARATION
Why use this guide?
REVISION
PHASE
Welcome to your guide helping you to
study for your Advanced Performance
Management exam
This guide applies to exams for September
and December 2019 and March and June 2020.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
02
GETTING
STARTED
Consider booking tuition with
an Approved Learning Partner
LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
Enter for your exam
REVISION
PHASE
Buy an Approved Content
Provider study text and question
and answer bank
Draw up your study plan
Get to know your exam
FINAL
PREPARATION
THE EXAM
03
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Getting started
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Tips for success
- the most up to date content and syllabus coverage.
- tests, quizzes and other support designed to help
you prepare for your exam.
✓✓ Spend some time familiarising
yourself with the free resources
available via the study support
resource finder on the student
section of the ACCA website –
we will provide you with specific
guidance on when and how to use
these resources during the relevant
stages of study.
✓✓ Remember to personalise your
edition of Student Accountant
so you receive APM specific
information as you need it.
✓✓ If you think you could benefit
from building your English
language skills to help you
succeed in your exam take a look
at the BPP English Language
support for ACCA which is a free
online programme specifically
designed to support you through
your exams.
Exempt from Performance
Management (PM)?
✓✓ Make sure you have the assumed
knowledge needed from PM for
APM (see the article Bringing
forward PM knowledge and skills
into Advanced Performance
Management).
04
APPENDIX
– LINKS
✓✓ If you feel your knowledge is
lacking, consider buying a PM
Approved Content Provider study
text to refresh your understanding.
THE EXAM
Students who use approved
content materials are more
likely to pass than those
who don’t.
✓✓ Use the ACCA Learning
Community to link up with fellow
students around the world studying
the same exam as you – get tips,
join discussions and share ideas
and advice. You can also access live
Q&A sessions and presentations.
✓✓ You should complete the Ethics and
Professional Skills module before
attempting any of the Strategic
Professional exams. This module
gives you insight into professional
skills that you can apply in your
exam and in the workplace.
FINAL
PREPARATION
You may want to consider attending a face to face or
online tuition course with one of ACCA’s Approved
Learning Partners for all or part of your studies.
✓✓ The earlier you enter for your
exam the less it costs! Use our
exam planner tool to plan which
exam(s) you want to sit and when.
REVISION
PHASE
- past exam questions updated for changes to the
syllabus, question style and exam format as well as
practice questions and answers and full mock exams
to ensure you are fully prepared for your exam.
Tips for success
LEARNING
PHASE
We strongly recommend that you buy an up to date
Advanced Performance Management Approved
Content Provider study text and question and answer
bank to ensure exam success. These provide:
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Draw up your study plan
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 1
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 2
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 3
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 4
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 5
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 6
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 7
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 8
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 9
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 10
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
REVISION
Week 12
REVISION
Week 13
REVISION
Week 14
REVISION
Week 15
REVISION
Week 16
REVSION AND FINAL PREPARATION
05
Daytime study period
Other commitments
Plan study periods – evenings/
half days/full days, aiming for
roughly one evening/half day
per chapter of your study text
If possible leave a six week
period for the revision and
final preparation phases
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Evening study period
Block out days/half days/
evenings already committed
to family/social events
THE EXAM
Week 11
You may need to add or take away
weeks depending on your own
circumstances and which exam
sitting(s) you are focusing on
FINAL
PREPARATION
Tuesday
REVISION
PHASE
Monday
Calculate the number of weeks
from now until your exam
date and draw up a plan – see
the example to the left and a
possible proforma for you to
use on page 7
LEARNING
PHASE
Study plan checklist
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Draw up your study plan
LEARNING
PHASE
Tips for success
When drawing up your study plan
✓✓ Once you have prepared your plan stick to it!
✓✓ Consider building in an extra study period after every
few chapters to review and consolidate your learning.
✓✓ Use this plan whether you intend to self-study through
all the phases or mix with some tuition from an
Approved Learning Partner.
FINAL
PREPARATION
✓✓ Take a 5-10 minute break every hour to help maintain
your motivation and concentration.
Students who use ACCA’s
learning support resources
achieve higher pass rates
than those who don’t.
REVISION
PHASE
✓✓ Be realistic and consider when you are best able to study
– maybe early mornings work better for you or perhaps
shorter, more frequent study periods.
THE EXAM
APPENDIX
– LINKS
06
Monday
Tuesday
Print out and write down when you will study, relax and revise!
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Your study plan
Sunday
LEARNING
PHASE
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
REVISION
PHASE
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
FINAL
PREPARATION
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 12
REVISION
Week 13
REVISION
Week 14
REVISION
Week 15
REVISION
Week 16
REVISION AND FINAL PREPARATION
07
Evening study period
Daytime study period
Other commitments
APPENDIX
– LINKS
REVISION
THE EXAM
Week 11
Colour boxes in your preferred highlighter colours.
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Get to know your exam
LEARNING
PHASE
Scan the specimen exam
for Advanced Performance
Management
specimen exam provides you with a clear picture of how Advanced Performance
➤ The
Management will be assessed and how the exam is structured as well as the likely
Review the examining team’s
guidance
these resources at the start of your studies will help you understand the focus
➤ Using
of the exam by concentrating on the exam structure, question style, exam technique
Review the examiner’s reports
from the last four sittings
and tips as well as pitfalls to avoid – see extracts from the examiner’s approach
article over the page
provide feedback on students’ performance after each exam session, highlight
➤ These
problem areas that students need to improve on and tell you what the examining
teams are looking for
article Reading the question requirements of APM and the video APM effective
➤ The
study and exam technique, will provide you with a head start in terms of knowing what
Familiarise yourself with
the formulae sheet
will be provided with this document in the exam and so you will not need
➤ You
to learn these formulae
to expect and how to approach exam standard questions
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Read the exam technique
articles for Advanced
Performance Management
THE EXAM
08
style and range of questions that you could see in the real exam
FINAL
PREPARATION
gives you an understanding of the aims and objectives of the exam, learning
➤ This
outcomes and exam structure
REVISION
PHASE
Review the syllabus
and study guide
1. cover the whole syllabus
2.be prepared to apply all of
this knowledge to a business
scenario
3.read and answer the question
asked
4.add value to the organisation
that is being advised
The question requirement usually
gets a great deal of attention from the
examiner who first writes it and the
team of reviewers who perform the
more than five layers of review before
the exam is finalised. My approach
to this point is that candidates
should be given credit where their
answer is technically correct and
relevant to the question asked.
THE EXAM
There has been a tendency by
candidates to write good answers
to questions that they wish had
been asked by the examiner rather
than the one actually set in the
exam. This approach scores little if
no credit. There is a longer article
Reading the Question Requirements
of APM that illustrates the common
misinterpretations seen in previous
sessions.
FINAL
PREPARATION
APM develops key aspects introduced at
the PM level with a greater focus on the
synthesis and evaluation of the key topics
and techniques. It will also introduce more
specialised techniques and current issues
in performance management. Therefore,
candidates should not expect to be
retested in a PM style on topics but need
to be aware that all of PM knowledge is
assumed to be known and will now be
used in a more critical capacity.
The best approach to the exam
can be summarised as:
Comments on
answering
the questions asked
REVISION
PHASE
Performance management systems are the
systems in an organisation by which the
performance of an organisation is measured,
controlled and improved. The thrust of
the exam will move towards the strategic
level of considering different performance
measurement techniques and management
systems. APM builds on knowledge
gained at other levels, especially from
PM. PM tests the candidate’s ability
in application and analysis of core
management accounting techniques.
Comments on
approaching APM
LEARNING
PHASE
Comments on
links to other exams
§
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – What the examiner has said about Advanced Performance
Management (extracts from the examiner’s approach article)
APPENDIX
– LINKS
09
GETTING
STARTED
-gain the knowledge you
need; and
FINAL
PREPARATION
-learn how to apply that
knowledge to pass the exam
REVISION
PHASE
Work through the control
sheet which has been
designed to give you a
structured approach to your
learning phase to ensure you:
LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
THE EXAM
10
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Learning phase
✓✓ BPP Learning Media – page 13 and 14
✓✓ Kaplan Publishing – page 15
✓✓ Read through the introduction
to the chapter
✓✓ Noted any additional commentary
and exam focus tips provided
✓✓ Worked through and understood
examples and illustrations of
concepts given
Tick the box Questions in the control
sheet once you have:
✓✓ Attempted the questions referred to in
the question bank – some of these you
should do in full but others you can just
draw up a plan for, depending on the
time you have available
✓✓ Compared your answer, or plan, with the
solution given and understood where you
did well or not so well and why
✓✓ Read / viewed the related ACCA
article(s) / video(s) signposted
11
APPENDIX
– LINKS
✓✓ Note that ACCA produces new articles
and videos throughout the year and so
you should always check the technical
articles page on the website to ensure you
have seen all of the related resources
THE EXAM
Tick the box ACCA related resources
in the control sheet once you have:
FINAL
PREPARATION
✓✓ Actively read and understood each
chapter’s content
✓✓ Attempted the quiz at the end of the
chapter (if you are using BPP material)
or the test your understanding questions
throughout the chapter (if you are using
Kaplan material)
REVISION
PHASE
Tick the box Content in the control
sheet once you have:
Tick the box Quiz/Test in the control
sheet once you have:
LEARNING
PHASE
Students who use
ACCA’s learning support
resources achieve
higher exam scores
than those who don’t.
Use the control sheet relevant to
the Approved Content Provider’s
materials you have purchased:
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Get the most out of your control sheet
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Tips for success
✓✓ Scan headings before
going into the detail to
give you an idea of the
content first and consider
highlighting, underlining,
making notes, drawing
pictures or mind maps
– whatever helps you
to remember.
✓✓ Make sure you use the
ACCA resources to help
your understanding –
these give you real insight
to help you in your exam.
✓✓ Try to read a good
quality business journal
or newspaper regularly
and use this to help
bring your studies to life
by linking your learning
into what you are reading.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
12
✓✓ Keep an eye on Student
Accountant for any
relevant articles.
✓✓ There are PER (Practical
Experience Requirement)
objectives associated with
specific syllabus areas and,
if possible, you should
try to gain experience
in these alongside your
studying as this will help
you to put your studies
into a workplace context
and reinforce what you
have learned.
THE EXAM
✓✓ Consider using the
additional resources
provided by the Approved
Content Providers
including for example
passcards or pocket notes
to help you remember the
key knowledge areas.
✓✓ If you find you are not
covering all of the material
in each study period, build
some extra time into your
study plan – everyone
works at a different pace.
✓✓ Visit the ACCA Learning
Community regularly to
view new video content
and to join online study
events.
FINAL
PREPARATION
✓✓ Always work through the
questions signposted –
it is vital that you practise
questions throughout the
learning phase as this
will ensure that you are
applying the knowledge
you learn as you progress.
REVISION
PHASE
✓✓ Actively read the material
– ask yourself ‘do I
understand this?’ If not
re-read and re-work
examples – if you still
struggle, make a note
and come back to it
during the revision phase.
LEARNING
PHASE
Tips for success
Chapter
Content
Quiz/Test
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Control sheet for BPP Learning Media
Questions ACCA related resources
✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete
2
Performance hierarchy
• Defining managers’ information requirements
• Performance indicators
3
Performance management and control
4a
Organisational change
• Management control – a pre-requisite for survival
4b
Environmental and ethical issues
• Environmental management accounting
5
Impact of risk and uncertainty
• The risks of uncertainty – part 1
• The risks of uncertainty – part 2
Performance management systems and reports
• Lean enterprises and lean information systems
• Reports for performance management
• Improving your APM answers – part 1
• Improving your APM answers – part 2
• Common mistakes and misconceptions in the use of numerical
data used for performance measurement
• Big data
• Big data and performance management
• Integrated reporting
7
Strategic performance measures in the private sector
• Economic value added versus profit-based measures
of performance – part 1
• Economic value added versus profit-based measures
of performance – part 2
• Business strategy and performance models
8
Divisional performance and transfer pricing issues
• Transfer pricing
9
Strategic performance measures in not-for-profit
organisations
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 1
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 2
• Benchmarking
10
Non-financial performance indicators
6
THE EXAM
• Performance management models
FINAL
PREPARATION
Strategic management accounting
REVISION
PHASE
1
LEARNING
PHASE
Introduction
APPENDIX
– LINKS
13
When watching the study support videos, focus at this stage on the technical aspects – you will watch these
again during the revision phase and at that point you will be able to focus more on the exam technique aspects.
Chapter
Content
Quiz/Test
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Control sheet for BPP Learning Media (continued)
Questions ACCA related resources
✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete
The role of quality in performance management systems
Performance measurement and strategic HRM issues
13
Alternative views of performance measurement and
management
• Activity-based management
• The pyramids and pitfalls of performance measurement
• Performance measures to support competitive advantage
• Study support video – Performance management
14
Strategic performance issues in complex business structures
• Complex business structures
15
Predicting and preventing corporate failure
• Business failure
REVISION
PHASE
12
• Human resource management and the appraisal system
• Reward schemes for employees and management
• The pyramids and pitfalls of performance measurement
• Accounting and organisational cultures
LEARNING
PHASE
11
FINAL
PREPARATION
THE EXAM
APPENDIX
– LINKS
14
When watching the study support videos, focus at this stage on the technical aspects – you will watch these
again during the revision phase and at that point you will be able to focus more on the exam technique aspects.
Chapter
Content
Quiz/Test
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Control sheet for Kaplan Publishing
Questions ACCA related resources
✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete
Introduction to strategic management accounting
2
Environmental influences
3
Approaches to budgets
4
Business structure and performance management
5
The impact of information technology
Performance reports for management
7
Human resource aspects of performance management
8
Financial performance measures in the private sector
9
Divisional performance appraisal and transfer pricing
11 Non-financial performance indicators
14 Environmental management accounting
15
• Environmental management accounting
When watching the study support videos, focus at this stage on the technical aspects – you will watch these
again during the revision phase and at that point you will be able to focus more on the exam technique aspects.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
12 Corporate failure
13 The role of quality in performance management
• Economic value added versus profit-based measures
of performance – part 1
• Economic value added versus profit-based measures
of performance – part 2
• Transfer pricing
• Business strategy and performance models
• Performance management models
• Benchmarking
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 1
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 2
• The pyramids and pitfalls of performance measurement
• Performance measures to support competitive advantage
• Study support video – Performance management
• Business failure
THE EXAM
10 Performance management in not-for-profit organisations
• Reports for performance management
• Improving your APM answers – part 1
• Improving your APM answers – part 2
• Common mistakes and misconceptions in the use of numerical
data used for performance measurement
• Lean enterprises and lean information systems
• Big data
• Big data and performance management
• Integrated reporting
• Human resource management and the appraisal system
• Reward schemes for employees and management
• Accounting and organisational cultures
FINAL
PREPARATION
6
• Defining managers’ information requirements
• Performance indicators
• The risks of uncertainty – part 1
• The risks of uncertainty – part 2
• Activity-based management
• Management control – a pre-requisite for survival
• Complex business structures
REVISION
PHASE
1
LEARNING
PHASE
Introduction
GETTING
STARTED
Consider booking revision
tuition with an Approved
Learning Partner
Ensure you are confident with
the knowledge needed to pass
the exam
FINAL
PREPARATION
Make sure you are able to apply
that knowledge in questions
REVISION
PHASE
Revisit areas you struggled
with during the learning phase
LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
THE EXAM
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Revision phase
GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase – Question practice
✓✓ Don’t be afraid to attempt
questions you have already
done – especially the
ones you found tricky
first time round.
✓✓ It is really important that
you do some questions in
full, to exam time – time
management is often an
issue and the more you
prepare yourself the
better you will perform
in the exam.
✓✓ To keep motivation high,
break some questions into
individual parts, write plans
or notes for some parts
and do others in full.
✓✓ Work through the answers
carefully – pay attention to
areas you got wrong and
understand where you went
wrong – it is better to do
a few questions well, than
lots of questions badly.
✓✓ Try not to look at the
answers before really
attempting the question
– you won’t be able to
do this in the real exam!
✓✓ Don’t forget to review the
marking guide too – you
need to understand how
marks are allocated to
ensure you know how to
maximise your marks.
THE EXAM
Students who use examiners’
reports are more likely to
pass than those who don’t.
✓✓ Consider blocking time
in your study plan for
specific questions or
mock exams to ensure
you cover everything.
FINAL
PREPARATION
Work through the specimen exam for
Advanced Performance Management this
will provide you with a clear picture of what
the exam will look like making sure you know
what to expect on the day
Tips for success
REVISION
PHASE
ork through as many questions as possible
W
and all mock exams included in the Approved
Content Provider question and answer banks
– remember these are best for question
practice as they include past exam questions
updated for syllabus and format changes
LEARNING
PHASE
Exam-standard question practice is vital now
APPENDIX
– LINKS
17
GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase – Key resources
View the study support video referred to in your control sheet
again – this time focusing on the exam technique aspects
Read the exam technique article How to earn professional marks –
practice the tips for scoring professional marks in every case study
question you attempt during your revision
✓✓ Don’t give up easily – if you really
cannot understand something then
consider posting a question on the
ACCA Learning Community – if you
found it difficult so will have others.
THE EXAM
Make sure you read the study skills articles in Student Accountant
covering topics such as how to overcome exam anxiety as well
as checking the study support resource finder for any new technical
articles related to Advanced Performance Management
Tips for success
FINAL
PREPARATION
Read the exam technique article Bringing forward PM knowledge
and skills into APM. In addition now read Reading the question
requirements of APM and Making the most of ACCA's APM
resources – using the techniques to help you practise questions
REVISION
PHASE
View the study support video – APM effective study and exam
technique, to better prepare you for questions in the real exam
Students who use
5 minutes with the
examining team videos
are more likely to pass
than those who don’t.
LEARNING
PHASE
Review the examining team’s guidance again in the context
of what you have learnt. You will discover what the examining team
sees as the most common mistakes that have been made in the
past, so that you can focus on avoiding these.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
18
LEARNING
PHASE
§
General comments
This issue leads directly to the well-worn advice to candidates
to ‘answer the question asked'. There are several detailed
examples where candidates answered a different requirement
from the one asked or simply ignored a part of the requirement
(and thus the marks on offer).
THE EXAM
Finally, and critically, in order to pass, candidates need to be
capable of analysing and evaluating the situation in the
scenario using their technical knowledge. This is fundamental
to the marker’s judgement of whether they are competent at
this level. Thus, it is essential that they provide justification
for opinions expressed and go beyond mere calculation by
explaining the implications of their results.
FINAL
PREPARATION
Therefore, the first step to passing APM is to have a good
grasp of the basic knowledge. At this diet, a lack of such
knowledge was particularly clear in: question 2(c) on the
six sigma method and questions 3(a and b) on methods of
assessing the impact of risk and uncertainty. Without this
knowledge, candidates cannot apply methods and have little
information to evaluate.
Building upon that knowledge, candidates need to be
aware that performance management is an area which, at an
advanced level, is dependent upon situation and environment
– as exemplified by the need throughout the examination to
relate or illustrate points by using the information relating to
the business in the question scenario. A good, professionallevel answer will go beyond the mere repetition of how a
technique works and focus on relating it to the entity's specific
environment. As in previous diets, it was very clear to the
marking team that those candidates that had grasped the need
for this went on to pass the examination.
REVISION
PHASE
We would strongly advise that candidates use the examiner’s
reports and approach articles to ensure that they have the right
overall attitude to APM, which is intended to lie at a postgraduate level. Most examinations require a balance of memory
work and evaluation/analysis. However, as one goes through
the levels (say from MA to PM to APM) this balance changes,
from pure memory to more analysis. Good candidates
distinguish themselves by being aware that if they come to
this examination expecting to repeat memorised material,
they will probably score only between 20% and 30%. Many
candidates have clearly been taught that they should define
in their answer any ‘jargon’ terms in the question requirement.
However, they are (usually) wrong to assume that this alone
will provide them with a passing answer at APM which is about
application and evaluation in a business scenario.
GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase – What the examiner has said about Advanced Performance
Management (extract from the December 2018 examiner’s report)
APPENDIX
– LINKS
19
GETTING
STARTED
You are clear on the knowledge
you need to pass the exam
as well as how to apply that
knowledge
the exam format
FINAL
PREPARATION
PREPERATION
Ensure you are
familiar with:
REVISION
PHASE
You have the skills you need
to pass the exam – eg time
management
LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
the style of questions
what specific syllabus areas
are likely to be tested and
in which questions
20
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Final preparation
THE EXAM
the way the marks are allocated
GETTING
STARTED
Final preparation – Tips for success
§
Calculations:
1 mark for each of:
Research and development
Tax paid
Capital employed year start figure
Non-cash expenses
Marketing
WACC
Economic value added
Conclusion
Assumptions and correction – up to 10 marks
Maximum 15 marks
(ii) KPIs for CSFs
Up to 2 marks per CSF
Maximum 6 marks
(iii) Quality projects
Definitions and descriptions up to 2 marks
Analysis up to 6 marks per project
Maximum 15 marks
(iv) New unified database
Definition and general points up to 3 marks
Interaction with each project up to 3 marks
each
Other comments up to 3 marks
Maximum 10 marks
Total 50 marks
✓✓ Go over questions again that you
found difficult during the revision
phase and make sure you attempt at
least one mock again in full to time.
✓✓ If you are unsure about the exam
format, the style of questions or what
specific syllabus areas are likely to be
tested in which questions, read the
syllabus and study guide again.
✓✓ If you are not sure about how the
marks are allocated review the
specimen exam for APM again.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Professional presentation: up to 4 marks
Tips for success
THE EXAM
21
1 (i) Economic value added
Students who use
specimen resources are
more likely to pass than
those who don’t.
FINAL
PREPARATION
PREPERATION
Management accountants are required to
look across a range of issues which will affect
organisational performance, the achievement
of objectives and impact on operations and
so candidates should expect to see Section A
of the exam focus on a range of issues from
across syllabus sections A, C and D. Section
A will also include four professional marks
which will be awarded for the candidate’s
approach to the format requested (e.g. a
report to the board of directors).
An extract from the
Specimen exam answers:
REVISION
PHASE
Section A of the exam will always be a 50
mark case study based on an organisation in a
particular business context. It will include the
organisation’s mission statement and strategic
objectives and candidates will be expected
to be able to assess the methods by which
the organisation is controlling, managing and
measuring performance in order to achieve its
objectives. This assessment could include an
evaluation of the organisation’s performance
report, its information systems, new
strategies or projects and its performance
management and measurement systems.
Candidates should understand that they will
be expected to undertake calculations, draw
comparison against relevant information
where appropriate and be prepared to offer
alternative recommendations as needed.
§
LEARNING
PHASE
An extract from the
syllabus and study
guide for APM:
GETTING
STARTED
Make sure you are ready
to walk into your exam
REVISION
PHASE
THE EXAM
22
APPENDIX
– LINKS
The exam
FINAL
PREPARATION

LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
GETTING
STARTED
The Exam – Tips for success
✓✓ Identify where the
exam hall is.
✓✓ Have in place a back-up
plan in case of traffic
problems or public
transport delays.
23
✓✓ Sleep properly – do not
spend the night before
doing last minute late
night revision – you will
perform so much better
if you are alert and
well rested (and in
any case, last minute
revision will only cause
you to panic!).
Once the exam is over:
✓✓ Relax.
✓✓ Don‘t over
analyse – you
cannot change
anything now!
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Good
Luck!
✓✓ Eat properly before you
leave for the exam.
THE EXAM
✓✓ Ensure you have all the
equipment you need for
✓✓ Don’t forget to take
your exam docket with
you as well as your
student identification.
✓✓ Try not to get into
discussions with fellow
students just before the
exam about what might
come up – again this will
only cause you stress.
FINAL
PREPARATION
✓✓ Plan your route to the
exam hall, considering
the time of day you will
be travelling and any
potential issues.
the exam (black pens,
calculator etc).
REVISION
PHASE
Very few students enjoy
taking exams but there
are things you can do
to make the experience
less stressful!
LEARNING
PHASE
Tips for success
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
REVISION
PHASE
FINAL
PREPARATION
THE EXAM
24
APPENDIX
– LINKS
Appendix – Links
GETTING
STARTED
Appendix – Links
URL
04, 12, 17
Approved Content Provider
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/your-study-options/alp-content.html
04, 06
Approved Learning Partners
https://learningcommunity.accaglobal.com/#discover/1
04
Enter for your exam
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/exams/enter-an-exam.html
04
Exam planner tool
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/enter-an-exam/exam-planner.html
04, 12, 18
ACCA Learning Community
https://learningcommunity.accaglobal.com
04, 18
Study support resource finder
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources.html
04
Student section
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student.html
04, 12
Student Accountant
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/employer/supporting-trainees/sa-direct.html
04
Ethics and Professional Skills module http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/ethics.html
04, 18
BPP English Language support for
ACCA
Bringing forward PM knowledge
and skills into Advanced
Performance Management
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/bpp-english-language-course.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
Syllabus and study guide
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/syllabus-study-guide.html
08, 17, 21
Specimen exam for Advanced
Performance Management
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/p5-specimen-exams.html
08, 18
Examining team’s guidance
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/examiners-reports.html
08
Examiner’s reports
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/examiners-reports.html
08
Formulae sheet
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/exam-formulae-maths-tables.html
08, 09, 18
08, 18
Reading the question requirements
of APM
APM effective study and exam
technique
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
Technical articles
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
12
PER (Practical Experience
Requirement) objectives
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/practical-experience/performance-objectives.html
APPENDIX
– LINKS
11
25
THE EXAM
08, 21
FINAL
PREPARATION
04
REVISION
PHASE
Link
LEARNING
PHASE
Page No.
GETTING
STARTED
Appendix – Links
Link
URL
13, 15
Performance management models
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
Defining managers’ information
requirements
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
Performance indicators
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
13, 15
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
The risks of uncertainty – part 1
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
The risks of uncertainty – part 2
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
13, 15
13, 15
13, 15
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
Big data
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
Big data and performance
management
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
Integrated reporting
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
13, 15
26
Transfer pricing
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
APPENDIX
– LINKS
13, 15
Economic value added versus profitbased measures of performance
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
– part 1
Economic value added versus profitbased measures of performance
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
– part 2
THE EXAM
13, 15
FINAL
PREPARATION
13, 15
Lean enterprises and lean
information systems
Reports for performance
management
Improving your APM answers –
part 1
Improving your APM answers –
part 2
Common mistakes and
misconceptions in the use
of numerical data used for
performance measurement
REVISION
PHASE
Management control – a prerequisite for survival
Environmental management
accounting
LEARNING
PHASE
Page No.
GETTING
STARTED
Appendix – Links
Link
URL
13, 15
Not-for-profit organisations – part 1
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
Not-for-profit organisations – part 2
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
13, 15
Benchmarking
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
14, 15
14, 15
14, 15
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
14, 15
Activity-based management
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
14, 15
Complex business structures
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
14, 15
14, 15
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
Business failure
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
18
Making the most of ACCA's APM
resources
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
18
How to earn professional marks
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/exam-support-resources/professional-exams-study-resources/p5/technical-articles.html
18
Study skills articles in Student
Accountant
http://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/sa/study-skills.html
THE EXAM
14, 15
FINAL
PREPARATION
13, 15
Business strategy and performance
models
Performance measures to support
competitive advantage
Study support video – Performance
management
REVISION
PHASE
14, 15
Human resource management and
the appraisal system
Reward schemes for employees and
management
The pyramids and pitfalls of
performance measurement
Accounting and organisational
cultures
LEARNING
PHASE
Page No.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
27
APM – April 2019 update
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