Cracking Case - How to Pass the ACA Case Study (July 2015)

New fully revised and updated edition of our popular and student-focused guide to passing this unusual examination. We have extensively revised the text to take into account the lessons learned from the latest examination (Rolling Stores Limited, November 2014). This new July 2015 edition of “Cracking Case” includes notes from the February 2015 ICAEW Tutor Conference at which we quizzed the Case Study examiners on some classic student questions and concerns. We have also added a new chapter on what to do if your timing goes wrong in the examination (“Plan B”). The July 2015 edition also further improves our popular and ICAEW prize winning planning sheets.

Includes £20 discount voucher against our ACA Simplified July 2015 live mock exam pack: 5 realistic mock exams based on the live July 2015 Advance Information, giving you 5 opportunities to practise your timing and technique whilst only reading one set of Advance Information (and the only set of Advance Information which really matters to you).

Explains the ACA Simplified "40 Task Approach(TM)" to cracking the ACA Case Study. Organised into 21 Chapters and 4 Appendices, this book will take you through our carefully designed and practical approach to gaining the marks you need to pass. Includes detailed "student eye" views from 2 students who increased their grades by 20 percentage points each between July 2012 and November 2012 using the 40 Task Approach(TM).

Our unique method is completely focused on the mark scheme and unlocks the secrets of a pass through a simplified approach which is radically different from the standard "4 Column Planning Grid" endorsed by other providers. Successfully used by the July 2014 ICAEW international Case Study prize winner who scored 92% at his first attempt and also by the 2014 ICAEW East Midlands Case Study prize winner who placed first in his region after attending our retake course (having failed first time with another provider).

This book is aimed at both re-sit students and first timers who wish to ensure a pass in this highly unusual examination.

Reflecting our view that passing Case is a matter of “decoding” the complicated competency-based mark scheme, for this edition we are pleased to present a coded message within the cover image of the book – the first purchaser of the book to crack this code will be awarded a £500 cash prize so get cracking soon!

See our website at www.acasimplified.com for our other Case Study materials, tuition and mock exams. Please also see the many very positive Amazon reviews of the previous editions of Cracking Case from recent students.

Detailed chapter listing:

£20 discount voucher for July 2015 mock exams

1. Introduction: This Book and Why We Wrote It

2. Case: A Brief Overview

3. Case: Some Common Fallacies

4. The Case Marking Scheme

5. The Correct Case Study Writing Style

6. Change in the Mark Scheme - July 2012

7. The 40 Task Approach(TM)

8. Patterns in the 40 Task Approach(TM)

9. EPIA, Diamonds per Box and Report Length

10. Planning Grids - Optimal Format

11. How to Write a Good Executive Summary

12. How to Write a Good Requirement 1

13. How to Write a Good Requirement 2

14. How to Write a Good Requirement 3

15. How to Develop Good "Practical" Recommendations

16. People, Press and Ethics

17. How to Approach Scepticism

18. Tips from the 2015 and 2013 ICAEW Tutor Conferences

19. Practicalities of the Exam Day

20. Plan B: What To Do If You Screw Up Your Timing

21. Final Thoughts

Appendix 1 - 40 Task Approach(TM) (Summary Version)

Appendix 2 - The 40 Tasks - Requirement by Requirement

Appendix 3 - Planning & Reminder Sheets

Appendix 4 - Practical Issues: The 8 Core Areas