When preparing for the ACCA exams, practice becomes the most important step. Many students focus only on studying but forget the power of mock exams. The ACCA mock exam is the best way to know your real performance before the final test. It gives you the same pattern, timing, and question difficulty as the real ACCA exam. If you want to pass with good marks, you must take mock exams seriously.
It is a practice test that looks and feels just like the actual ACCA paper. It helps you understand your weak areas, manage your time, and boost your confidence. ACCA offers mock exams for every paper at all three levels — Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. Some institutes also give their mock exams with feedback and mentoring.
Why ACCA Mock Exam Matters?
The ACCA mock exam shows how ready you are for the real test. It helps you spot your weak areas and fix them early. You also learn to manage time better. Mock exams build your confidence and reduce exam fear.
Practice under exam pressure
When you take the ACCA mock exam, you face the same type of pressure as the real one. You learn how to manage your time and think fast. You also get used to the layout of computer-based exams.
Know your weak spots.
After the mock test, you can check which topics you didn’t perform well in. Maybe your concepts are fine, but you lose marks due to silly mistakes. Mock exams help you find and fix these problems early.
Boost your confidence
Once you take 1 or 2 mock exams, you feel more confident. You stop fearing the paper. You know the pattern. You feel in control. This mental boost is very important.
Types of ACCA Mock Exams
There are three main types of ACCA mock exams: official ACCA mocks, institute-level mocks, and online platform mocks. Official mocks follow the real exam format closely. Institute mocks often include teacher feedback. Online mocks offer flexible practice anytime.
Official ACCA mock exams
ACCA itself provides sample and mock tests through its official website and approved learning partners. These mocks follow the latest syllabus and format.
Institute-level mock exams
Coaching centres often provide mock tests. These come with mentor feedback and answer sheets. You can learn from mistakes in a detailed manner.
Online ACCA mock exams
You can also find free and paid mock tests on platforms like BPP, Kaplan, FinTram, and others. These help students prepare from home and practice under real conditions.
How to Attempt the ACCA Mock Exam the Right Way?
Treat the ACCA mock exam like the real one by timing yourself and avoiding breaks. Sit in a quiet place and complete the full paper in one go. Review your answers after the test. Focus on correcting mistakes before your next attempt.
Take it like a real exam.
Sit in a quiet room. Set a timer. Don’t check answers in between. Treat it like your final exam. This practice gives you the exact feeling of the real test.
Analyze your performance
Don’t stop after just taking the mock. Review your answers. Check how many marks you lost and why. Did you run out of time? Did you misunderstand the question?
Improve step by step.
Once you know your weak points, revise those areas. Then, attempt another mock. See the difference. This way, you grow stronger with each test.
Mistakes to Avoid While Taking the ACCA Mock Exam
Don’t delay mocks until the last minute; start early for better results. Avoid taking breaks during the test to keep it realistic. Don’t skip reviewing your mistakes. Always follow exam time and rules strictly.
Skipping mocks until the last week
Many students start taking mocks just a few days before the real exam. That is too late. Start at least 3-4 weeks early so you can improve.
Not following the exam time rules.
Some students take 4-hour breaks during a 3-hour mock. That ruins the value of mock tests. Always complete the mock in one sitting with proper timing.
Ignoring the feedback
When you get feedback from your mentor or teacher, use it. Change your writing style. Use better examples. Fix errors in your logic. Don’t repeat the same mistakes.
How to Use ACCA Mock Exam for Strategic Level Papers?
Strategic-level papers like SBR, SBL, AFM, and APM are not just about theory. They test your professional judgment. You must approach them with extra care.
Practice full-length case studies.
In these papers, you get long case scenarios. You must read fast, think smart, and write well. Mock exams help you practice how to write structured answers under pressure.
Use real examples in your answers.
Try to include real companies or recent financial news in your answers. That adds value and shows your understanding. Mocks let you try and improve this writing style.
Tips for each strategic paper:
- SBL: Practice decision-making with proper structure
- SBR: Include standards and real-world application
- AFM: Practice calculations with time management
- APM: Focus on writing business-like reports
Best Tools and Resources for ACCA Mock Exam
The best tools for the ACCA mock exam include the ACCA Practice Platform, which offers real exam-style questions for each paper. BPP Learning Media and Kaplan also provide paid mock tests with solutions and feedback. Online platforms like FinTram and OpenTuition offer free mock tests, video explanations, and doubt support. YouTube mock walkthroughs and student forums add extra practice and guidance.
ACCA practice platform
The ACCA website has a free Practice Platform. It gives you full access to computer-based exam-style mocks. Use it often.
Approved learning partners
Sites like BPP Learning Media, Kaplan, and FinTram offer mock exams with answer guides. Many have exam feedback sessions, too.
YouTube and forums
Watch video solutions and mock walkthroughs on YouTube. Join forums like OpenTuition to ask doubts and share tips.
When to Start Taking ACCA Mock Exams?
Start taking ACCA mock exams 3 to 4 weeks before your actual exam date. For Applied Knowledge level, begin 2 weeks early with at least two mocks. For Applied Skills and Strategic Professional levels, begin 3 to 4 weeks early and take multiple full-length tests. Spread out your mocks, review each one, and focus on improving step by step.
For Applied Knowledge
Start taking mock tests 2 weeks before the exam. Aim to solve at least 2 full mocks and 3 mini-tests.
For Applied Skills
Begin 3 weeks in advance. These papers need more writing and logic. Take 3-4 mocks to cover all topics.
For Strategic Professional
Start 4 weeks before the exam. Take 2 full-length mocks for each subject. Ask for detailed feedback.
ACCA Mock Exam FAQs
Q1. Is the ACCA mock exam free?
Yes. ACCA’s practice platform gives free mocks. Some coaching institutes also provide free practice papers.
Q2. How many mock exams should I take before ACCA?
Take at least 2 full-length mocks and 3-4 sectional mocks per paper.
Q3. Are online ACCA mocks enough for practice?
Yes. But make sure you treat them like real exams and follow timing strictly.
Q4. Do mocks follow the latest ACCA syllabus?
Official and reputed partner mocks always follow the updated syllabus.
Q5. What if I fail in my mock exam?
Don’t panic. Use your mistakes to improve. That is the purpose of a mock test.
