May 2023
DS T AR TLIS AW OR IDE SH INS
Incorporating NQ magazine
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ALL-NEW ACCA STUDY HUB UB LAUNCHES THIS SUMMER
ACCA is launching a new digital platform for all its students from 5 July – the ACCA Study Hub. It has been designed to provide even more support for students and tutors, and will give free access to ACCA approved study materials. That means from July every ACCA PQ will be able to download study chapters, flashcards, quizzes, and practice questions, all in one place. ACCA says this “streamlines revision, helping students to increase their understanding and be perfectly prepared for exams”. In truth, the ACCA Study Hub has been up and running for some time. It was piloted in Africa from December 2020, where Strategic Professional students were able to access digital study material, with enhanced e-book functionality. The pilot was then expanded in December 2021 to bring in new ACCA Continued on page 4
GETTING AAT ASSESSMENTS RIGHT NOW TOP PRIORITY Sorting out the AAT Q2022 assessment issues is now CEO Sarah Beale’s number-one priority. In an exclusive interview with PQ magazine, she admitted that it has taken time to address the technical issues, but promised the AAT is now getting there. New fixes took place on 27 March and more ‘happened’ in the week beginning 3 April. That will leave an outstanding problem though, around the MATS (Management Accounting Techniques) assessment at Level 3. AAT are working hard to get this right, but Beale says it needs to be done right rather than quickly! Some 45,000 Q2022 assessment have now taken place and 3% of sitters have experienced technical
problems – that’s 1,350 students. Beale said AAT needs to do better, and it will. She stressed that AAT is trying to be as open and transparent as they can with students and training providers. Those affected will now receive a free assessment, regardless of their mark. That means if they failed and believe
they could have done better they can sit again. Students have also been given a 2% ‘uplift’ in their marks, when an incident report is filed. Students can of course still appeal the result. PQ magazine was told that, as a gesture of goodwill, all students directly affected will receive a £50 payment. Beale said she
was a student of AAT herself and understands the pressures and stresses of being a student trying to ‘get qualified’. She explained: “We want to build back trust in the AAT brand and the voucher is a small way of acknowledging the work our students are putting in.” Beale also said the AAT will be working harder to listen to students, rather than just talk to them. She stressed: “Students are a part of our community the minute they sign up with us and we need to learn from their experiences.” Finally, she wanted to thank all the training providers for their understanding and said AAT appreciated all the support they have given to students through this period of disruption.