How did the August SCS Exam go?

I felt my variant was largely unfair. I've sent a complaint to CIMA. Not sure if I'm allowed to upload the questions on here?

Hi Astranti,

My name's Kevin, I was one of your August 2017 SCS students. I'm really pleased to inform you that I passed today with 105. The five weeks between sitting the exam and waiting for the result were agonising, I just feel very grateful today. Thank you so much for all your brilliant Case Study Material, I would never have passed without it.

- Did you find the exam easier or more difficult than you anticipated?
About the right level. I cannot stress enough to other students the importance of time management, exam practise and technique. I practised the five mocks with Astranti (which were all difficult and varied, great practise in your revision) and I also practised three mocks with another provider, Viva Tuition, who offer mocks for your current case study at a competitive price too. You cannot practise too many mocks. Don't be a cheapskate, buy as many as you can, it will be worth it on exam results day.

- How did you do with your time management?
Pretty well! My exam had two, three and four requirements for the three sections respectively, and I felt that I struggled the most on the two requirement section, because I was sure I missed something. You don't need to write War and Peace, you just need to keep to the key points that you're taught with Astranti. Clear 4-6 line paragraphs, don't get bogged down in theory, don't waffle. Answer the requirement at all times, make sensible suggestions, and immerse yourself in the world of the company that is in the case study. I actually enjoyed writing my answer to the four requirement section and felt I could have written a lot more!

- What exam techniques did you find worked well in the exam?
I don't want to give too much away but the Ethics pack was invaluable. There is a certain way of answering the ethical questions, and it isn't just listing IOPCB (the five ethical principles of CIMA), that is boring and generic and won't get you good marks. Also for the second and final Masterclass, on the last Saturday before the final exam, there is a CRESTCO exam checklist. This keeps your answers relevant and on track (it is so easy to waffle and not answer what's being asked).

- Which of our materials did you find most useful?
Can I say all of the materials? The depth and quality of the Case Study Material was absolutely outstanding. It's very daunting when you realise there are over 300 pages of E3, P3 and F3 theory to wade through again, then you suddenly realise there are loads of videos and industry analysis to do, and you only have seven weeks (or less) to the final exam. Astranti's team have a knack of getting to the point quickly and making their point clearly (something that I cannot say about Kaplan or BPP or even cimastudy). When you're working full time, preparing for this exam is exhausting and it will ask everything of you - but I actually felt like I was part of a very supportive community of tutors and other students too.

- Do you have any advice for students taking the exam in the future?
1. Buy the case study material early, at least 4 weeks before the pre-seen paper is released. You don't want to spend your 7 weeks' prep time going through old theory, you want that to be spent going through the pre-seen materials relevant to your exam. Read the 300+ page E3/P3/F3 theory and get it done BEFORE the pre-seen paper is released. 2. Never feel silly asking questions to the tutors - there is so much to think about when you get the pre-seen that it's good to get advice from the tutors (or even other students during the Masterclass days). 3. Manage your prep time well, and follow Astranti's study guide carefully. 4. Sit ALL of the mock papers and make sure to submit them ALL by each deadline, it doesn't matter what mark you get in those, the most important thing is you take on board the (very detailed and useful) feedback and incorporate it into your next mock attempt. 5. Build free time into your schedule - exercise is good, and socialise with friends too, it's not good for your wellbeing studying and working all the time, you do need to take mental breaks and you will come back much fresher and with better ideas. 6. Revision - focus on the key models which are likely to come up and apply them to your case study, ALWAYS think about the case study and not the theory. On the Sunday before your exam and the day after the final masterclass, make a one or two page document summarising the key facts and figures in the case study to take with you on exam day. 7. Just do your best, and don't panic on the day. A cool head and time management is vital. If you put the work in, you should get the result you deserve.