Prepare
to pass
A guide to help
you if you are
studying
Corporate and
Business Law
F4
(GLO)
GETTING
STARTED
Prepare to pass
LEARNING
PHASE
REVISION
PHASE
Getting started
03
Why use this guide?
Learning phase
09
Revision phase
14
Final preparation
17
The exam
19
Structured approach to show you how to succeed
Signposted resources and how to use them
Stages of
study
Sections
FINAL
PREPARATION
Welcome to your guide helping you
to study for your F4 (GLO) exam
Tips for success to help you through your studies
Appendix Links21
This guide is applicable for exams to August 2016.
THE EXAM
Interactive clickable checklists to keep you on track
APPENDIX
02
GETTING
STARTED
Enter for your exam
Draw up your study plan
Get to know your exam
REVISION
PHASE
Buy an Approved Content
Provider study text and question
& answer bank
LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
FINAL
PREPARATION
THE EXAM
03
APPENDIX
Getting started
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started - Tips for success
LEARNING
PHASE
Tips for success
- the most up to date content and
syllabus coverage
Download the Student
Planner App a tool
that helps you map
your journey to ACCA
membership while
balancing your work
and social life.
Be realistic and consider
when you are best able
to study maybe early
mornings work better
for you or perhaps
shorter study periods
more often.
Remember to
personalise your edition
of Student Accountant
so you receive F4
specific information as
you need it.
Consider building in an
extra study period after
every few chapters to
review and consolidate
your learning.
Once you have
prepared your plan
stick to it!
Take a 5 10 minute
break every hour
to help maintain
your motivation and
concentration.
THE EXAM
- 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.
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.
When drawing up your
study plan (see page 5)
Spend some time
familiarising yourself
with the free resources
available via the
exam 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.
FINAL
PREPARATION
- tests, quizzes and other support
designed to help you prepare for
your exam
The earlier you enter
for your exam the less
it costs!
REVISION
PHASE
We strongly recommend that
you buy an F4 (GLO) Approved
Content Provider Study Text
and Question and Answer Bank
to ensure exam success. These
provide:
APPENDIX
04
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
REVISION
Week 10
REVISION
Week 11
REVISION
Week 12
REVSION AND FINAL PREPARATION
Evening study period
Daytime study period
Other commitments
Block out days/half days/
evenings already committed to
family/social events
Plan study periods evenings/
half days/full days, aiming for
roughly one evening/half day
per chapter of your study text
Leave a four week period for the
revision and final preparation
phases
THE EXAM
Week 9
You may need to add or take
away weeks depending on your
own circumstances
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 the next page
LEARNING
PHASE
Study plan checklist
APPENDIX
05
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started - Your study plan
Print out and write down when you will study, relax and revise!
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 1
LEARNING
PHASE
Monday
Week 2
REVISION
PHASE
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
FINAL
PREPARATION
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
REVISION
Week 10
REVISION
Week 11
REVISION
Week 12
REVISION AND FINAL PREPARATION
06
Daytime study period
Other commitments
Colour boxes in your preferred highlighter colours.
APPENDIX
Evening study period
THE EXAM
Week 9
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started - Get to know your exam
LEARNING
PHASE
give you an understanding of the aims and objectives of the exam, learning
These
outcomes and exam structure as well as a comprehensive list of the documents
Scan the F4 (GLO)
specimen exam
specimen exam provides you with a clear picture of how F4 will be assessed and
The
how the exam is structured as well as the likely style and range of questions that you
Listen to the examiner's
approach video
this at the start of your studies will help you understand the focus of the exam
Using
by concentrating on the exam structure, question style, exam technique and tips as
Review the examiner's reports
from the last four sittings
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
Scan the exam technique and
syllabus updates articles
articles here cover answering multiple-choice questions, computer-based exam
The
technique and how to prepare for knowledge modules exams you will need to
REVISION
PHASE
examinable for the current exam sittings
could see in the real exam
FINAL
PREPARATION
well as pitfalls to avoid
teams are looking for; these are critical to your success in passing F4 (GLO)
see some of the most recent comments from your examiner over the page
APPENDIX
come back to these during the revision phase but they will provide you with guidance
that will be helpful in attempting questions throughout the learning phase
THE EXAM
07
Review the syllabus
and study guide and the
examinable documents for F4
Comments on
CBE and paper
based exams:
A further point to be made raises
another possible shortcoming in the
way candidates approach the MCQs.
The suspicion is that candidates may
be tempted to skim read questions
and answers and simply do not spent
sufficient time on thinking about
them. Questions are sometimes more
subtle than candidates allow for and
the alternatives to the correct answers
are called distractors for the simple
reason that they are there to undermine
candidates certainty as to the correct
answer. While candidates may well know
the answer to a question, they would be
well advised to do a negative check on
the other possible answers to confirm
their initial response. From the evidence
of the June 2015 paper it would
appear that candidates are not paying
sufficient attention to either the
questions or the answers, with many
questions being incorrectly answered
through simple carelessness. As has
been stated above, time is not an issue
and candidates should not rush through
questions and should certainly resist the
temptation to get into a simple read
and click routine.
THE EXAM
Another more general point to be
made in relation to Section A is the
performance in the first section of the
syllabus: Business, Political and Legal
Systems. This is by far the least well
done section of the syllabus.
While it is perhaps understandable that
candidates find this part of the syllabus
more challenging, in that it relates to
the more conceptual and less obviously
business centred aspects of accountancy
work and involves an understanding
of various legal and quasi-legal systems,
it nonetheless has to be emphasised
that it remains a core aspect of the
syllabus and as such it will always
be examined. Consequently candidates
would be strongly advised not to
undervalue this element of their study.
FINAL
PREPARATION
The present structure replicates
division in the previous
examination structure between
essentially knowledge based
questions and questions requiring,
not merely knowledge,
but analysis and application
in addition.
Comments
Commentson
on
CBE
exams:
Section A:
REVISION
PHASE
In the computer-based
examination format, all questions
are structured so as to be capable
of objective marking, while in the
paper based format, although
section A is marked objectively
by computer, section B is still
marked by subject experts.
LEARNING
PHASE
GETTING
STARTED
Getting started - What the examiner has said about F4 (GLO)
(extracts from June 2015 examiner's report)
APPENDIX
08
GETTING
STARTED
- gain the knowledge you
need; and
- learn how to apply that
knowledge to pass the
exam
FINAL
PREPARATION
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
09
APPENDIX
Learning phase
BPP Learning Media - page 12
Kaplan Publishing - page 13
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 (if you are using
BPP materials) or the practice questions
at the end of the text (if you are using
Kaplan materials)
Tick the box ACCA related resources in
the control sheet once you have:
THE EXAM
Read / viewed the related ACCA article /
video signposted
FINAL
PREPARATION
Actively read and understood each
chapters 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
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
APPENDIX
10
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase - Tips for success
LEARNING
PHASE
Tips for success
Keep an eye on Student
Accountant for any
relevant articles.
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
11
If you find you are
not covering all of the
material in each study
period, build some extra
time into your planner
everyone works at a
different pace.
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.
Make sure you use the
ACCA resources to help
your understanding
these give you real
insight to help you
in your exam.
Visit the ACCA Learning
Community regularly to
view new video content
and to join online study
events.
FINAL
PREPARATION
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.
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.
Chapter
Content
Quiz/Test
Questions ACCA related resources
Introduction
2
International trade, legal regulation and conflict of laws
Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
Contracts for the international sale of goods
Obligations and risks in contracts for international sales
Transportation document and means of payment
Agency law
Partnerships
Corporations and legal personality
ICC introduces new international
commercial terms
REVISION
PHASE
Business, political and legal systems
LEARNING
PHASE
tick the boxes below when complete
1
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase - Control sheet for Becker Professional Education
10 Company formation
FINAL
PREPARATION
11 Constitution of a company
12 Share capital
13 Loan capital
14 Capital maintenance and dividend law
15 Company directors
16 Other company officers
17 Company meetings and resolutions
19 Fraudulent and criminal behaviour
Bribery Act 2010
THE EXAM
18 Insolvency and administration
APPENDIX
12
Chapter
Content
Quiz/Test
Questions ACCA related resources
Introduction
2
International Commercial Arbitration
International business transactions: formation of the contract
International business transactions: obligations
International business transactions: risk and payment
International business forms agency
Types of business organisation
Corporations and legal personality
Capital and financing
ICC introduces new international
commercial terms
REVISION
PHASE
Essential elements of legal systems
LEARNING
PHASE
tick the boxes below when complete
1
GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase - Control sheet for Kaplan Publishing
10 Directors
12 Insolvency
13 Corporate and fraudulent behaviour
Bribery Act 2010
FINAL
PREPARATION
11 Corporate admission
THE EXAM
APPENDIX
13
GETTING
STARTED
Revisit areas you struggled with
during the learning phase
Make sure you are able to apply
that knowledge in questions
REVISION
PHASE
Ensure you are confident with
the knowledge needed to pass
the exam
LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
FINAL
PREPARATION
THE EXAM
APPENDIX
Revision phase
GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase Question practice
Dont be afraid to
attempt questions you
have already done
especially the ones
you found tricky first
time round.
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!
THE EXAM
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.
FINAL
PREPARATION
Work through the specimen exam
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
Consider blocking time
in your study plan for
specific questions or
mock exams to ensure
you cover everything.
REVISION
PHASE
W
ork through as many questions
as possible 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
Tips for success
LEARNING
PHASE
Exam-standard question practice
is vital now
APPENDIX
15
GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase Key resources
Tips for success
Read the exam technique and
syllabus updates articles this time
linking into what you have learnt
Dont miss the
specimen exam this
is a full example of the
exam available for both
paper and CBE format
and replicates the exam
environment attempt
in full to time.
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 Student Accountant
Hub for any new technical articles
related to F4
Think about purchasing
a Practice Test practice
makes perfect and,
even better, you get
personalised feedback
diagrams highlighting
your strengths and
weaknesses, so you can
refine your revision.
See the PER video on
the student section of
the website for more
information on how
useful these can be
for your revision.
FINAL
PREPARATION
Dont 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 others.
REVISION
PHASE
Remind yourself of areas that
students often struggle with and
obtain tips on how to ensure you
do not make the same mistakes by
reviewing the examiner's reports
from the last four sittings again
LEARNING
PHASE
Listen to the examiner's approach
interview again in the context of
what you have learned
APPENDIX
16
Comments on
section A
as all aspects of the syllabus can
be examined in one exam.
Previously candidates were faced with
an extended problem scenario, involving
many issues. Now scenarios are shorter,
and questions are subdivided and more
focussed. What the questions under the
new structure seek to do is to encourage
candidates to demonstrate their
understanding of, and ability to, apply
particular legal principles and concepts.
FINAL
PREPARATION
THE EXAM
However, it has to be recognised
that the new structure requires
candidates to be aware of more
detailed information than perhaps
was required previously. Thus
for example, whereas previously
it was rare for agency law to be
examined other than as an aspect
of the law relating to company
officers, now, as a topic in its
own right the details of that topic
will be required to be covered.
Similarly, as regards the topic
of directors duties, whereas
previously it might have been
possible for candidates
to have dealt with a 10 mark
question rather superficially
but still gain sufficient marks
to pass, now the structure
of questions requires a precise
command and understanding
of the fine detail of the topic.
This element of the examination requires
both analysis and application, which skills
traditionally have not been to the forefront
of candidates abilities. At least to a
degree, it has to be recognised that such
weaknesses remain, but the new structure
has gone some way to mitigate the
consequences.
REVISION
PHASE
As was hoped, this knowledge
part of the exam appears to
have benefited the majority of
candidates, who traditionally
have been stronger in fact based
questions than in legal analysis.
It was feared that the extension
of the field of material to be
covered might prove a difficulty
but that has not been supported
by the evidence of candidates
performance. It would appear that
candidates have benefited from
the recognition that they will be
examined over a wider spectrum
of the curriculum rather than on,
as previously, a specific and quite
narrowly circumscribed aspect of
the syllabus. Whereas previously
candidates engaged in topic, and
even worse question, spotting to
no little damage to their results
when they got it wrong, now it
would appear that they realise
that there is nothing to be gained
in such an exercise
Comments on
section B
LEARNING
PHASE
GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase - What the examiner has said about F4 (GLO)
(extracts from December 2014 examiner's report)
APPENDIX
17
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
18
APPENDIX
Final preparation
THE EXAM
the way the marks are allocated
GETTING
STARTED
Final preparation - Tips for success
An extract from the
F4 (GLO) specimen
exam marking guide
Candidates should support
their answers on the paperbased multi-task questions with
analysis referring to cases
or examples. There is no need
to detail the facts of the case.
Remember, it is the point of law
that the case establishes that is
important, although knowing
the facts of cases can be
helpful as sometimes questions
include scenarios based on
well-known cases.
(a) 34 marks for a complete explanation of
the different types of director and a correct
application of Ger and Kim.
12 marks for some understanding but
lacking either application or explanation.
0 marks for no understanding of the
substance of the question.
Further it is not necessary to
quote section numbers of Acts.
(b) 1 mark for each relevant point made relating
to the role/function of non-executive
directors, up to the maximum 2 marks.
Section B Question 5:
19
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 again.
APPENDIX
(b) 4 marks for a full answer clearly distinguishing
the two types of activity and correctly
applying them.
1 mark for any relevant point made relating
to either partys action.
1 mark each for correctly stating how each
provision will be applied to the parties.
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.
THE EXAM
(a) A full answer distinguishing between
fraudulent and wrongful trading is required
for both marks to be given.
1 mark for any relevant point made relating to
either action.
Tips for success
FINAL
PREPARATION
PREPERATION
Section B Question 4:
REVISION
PHASE
Note on case law:
LEARNING
PHASE
An extract from the
Syllabus and study
guide for F4 (GLO)
GETTING
STARTED
Make sure you are ready to
walk into your exam
LEARNING
PHASE
Your checklist
REVISION
PHASE
FINAL
PREPARATION
THE EXAM
20
APPENDIX
The Exam
GETTING
STARTED
The Exam - Tips for success
21
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.
Don't forget to take
your exam docket with
you as well as your
student identification.
Eat properly before you
leave for the exam.
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
Once the exam is over:
Relax.
Don't over
analyse - you
cannot change
anything now!
APPENDIX
Good
Luck!
Ensure you have all the
equipment you need for
the exam (black pens,
calculator etc).
THE EXAM
Plan your route to the
CBE centre or exam
hall, considering the
time of day you will
be travelling and any
potential issues.
well rested (and in
any case, last minute
revision will only cause
you to panic!).
FINAL
PREPARATION
Identify where the
CBE centre (if you
have entered for the
computer based exam)
or exam hall (if you have
entered for the paper
based exam) is.
Have in place a back-up
plan in case of traffic
problems or public
transport delays.
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
22
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
LINKS
Appendix Links
GETTING
STARTED
Appendix Links
04
Enter for your exam
[Link]
04, 11, 15
Approved Content Provider
[Link]
04
ACCA Learning Community
[Link]
04
Student Planner App
[Link]
04
Exam resource finder
[Link]
04
Student section
[Link]
07, 15, 16, 19
Specimen exam
[Link]
07, 16
Examiner's approach video
[Link]
07, 16
Examiner's reports
[Link]
[Link]
07, 19
Syllabus and study guide
[Link]
07, 16
Exam technique and syllabus updates articles
[Link]
12, 13
ICC introduces new International Commercial Terms [Link]
12, 13
Bribery Act 2010
[Link]
[Link]
16
Practice test
[Link]
FINAL
PREPARATION
URL
REVISION
PHASE
Link
LEARNING
PHASE
Page No.
THE EXAM
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
LINKS
23
