AAT Exam Answers - Free of Charge? Please Read [Archive]

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NeilH

11-12-03, 01:00

Dear all I realise the nature of this post is more appropriate to the student forum, but have chosen to post it here as well as I hope to obtain support form AAT members and fellows. As you may or may not be aware, the AAT make available answers to examinations at about the same time as results are published but charge for the booklets. In a thread in the students general discussion forum, many students/members of the AAT have questioned the practice of charging for such information and feel that (as with other accountancy bodies) the examination answers and examiner comments should be free of charge- perhaps published for all to see on the AAT website. Since we can pass or fail an exam, should we not be able to see what we are being marked against. Part of the NVQ marking process is about giving feedback. I realise the AAT cant do this for every candidate who took an exam, but surely making the exam answers freely available is the next best thing? I am planning to write/email the AAT and the editor of 'Accounting Technician' (in the hope the letter will be published) on this matter and would like to back up my communication with any support possible. PLEASE PUT A POST BELOW AND STATE YOU FEEL THE EXAMINIATION ANSWERS SHOULD BE PUBLISHED FREE OF CHARGE OR NOT! When contacting the AAT/AT editor, I will refer to the size of the response of this posting, I wont mention any names and you can leave your post anonymously. Thank you for your assistance, if you have any queries please post them on this thread. Neil

DReid

11-12-03, 01:00

In principle I agree that you should be able to see an examiners report and suggested answers. Its certainly a useful tool if you have to resit or wish to assess your own performance in certain area's. I would suggest though that the AAT education scheme is not the dearest accountancy training available and that the chartered bodies include the cost of their web based services in other student charges. It is much of a muchness I suspect ! Lobby for this to be included by all means, I wish you success if there is a consensus of feeling amongst students but be prepared to finance the cost of this through increased subs in the future ! David

NeilH

11-12-03, 01:00

Hi DReid I see your point. However, having previously been enrolled with the ACCA, their fees are very comparable to the AAT (infact the ACCA dont charge an intial registration fee for new students as the AAT now does, just the usual anual subscription. Yet ACCA students get far more resources via the ACCA website (including mor up to date past papers and answers) and a more comprehensive/substantial journal. When its looked at from this point of view, it comes down to value for money. I also feel that the ACCA communicate more proactively with their students than does the AAT. Also, is it fair to make profit form selling the answers to exams? If the AAT do not make money on the sale of exam answers, than that is not so bad but if they dont make money on them then why not put them on the website and cut there own costs? Neil

DReid

11-12-03, 01:00

Neil My reasoning is based on the fact that the charge for past papers makes up one part of the AAT's revenue stream. I can't dispute your point about the relative costs of the AAT & ACCA as I haven't explored that but I do know what CIMA charge ! Is it possible that ACCA have more students/members and benefit therefore from economies of scale ? Anyway, as I said, if the student consensus suggests that this service is required then "fight the good fight " All the best David

smcgiff

11-12-03, 01:00

You know my answer to this, Neil, I think it's more than a little embarrassing that the AAT charge their students for answers. On a membership basis, the AAT is one of the biggest bodies. Seamus

GILL

11-12-03, 01:00

I completed Technician in June this year and am currently study for Payroll Administration and I agree that past papers should be free for three reasons. 1) Had I failed any of the previous exams (or future ones) seeing the recommended answers and standards would be a great help when study for resits. 2) Having purchased the assessment kits for both course I envariably find that there are numerous mistakes within the suggested answers. This makes studying very frustrating and can cause confussion if you are not fully sure of the answer (you could in fact be learning how to do it wrong!) 3) I also feel that having paid for registration, the course, course books and the exam itself that we have contributed enough to the cost of producing recommended answers. Gill

aban4803

13-01-04, 01:00

I totaly agree that AAT should provide Exam Answer Free of charge. What the AAT Should relise that not all the student have money to afford to buy Exam Answers/questions. What the AAT Should Also do they Should at least make sure that they have like a revison site where us students can go and get the revision material that we require