What are skills tests and simulations?

In order to pass the AAT qualification, you must complete a series of exams and practical assessments. Practical assessments can be skills tests that you can undertake at work. Simulations are skills tests that are based in a simulated environment.

This section of the website holds current standards simulations that are no longer live but have been completed by an examiner to show you what an example answer might look like.

These examples show you the approach the AAT takes to assessing the standards. They also show you how to effectively manage your time in the assessment and familiarise you with the style and approach, before you do the simulations for real.

You will note that there are four pdfs provided for each unit.

· Data and tasks booklet
· Answer booklet
· Suggested answers (completed answer booklet)
· Explanation of suggested answers sheet

In order to make the most of these materials, we suggest that you print off the ‘Data and task' and the ‘Answer booklet' and complete the assessment under timed conditions - aim to spend around three to four hours on each unit.

Once complete, compare your answers to the suggested answers and mark your assessment against them.

Now use the explanation of suggested answers to see if you could have tackled the questions in a different way and note the areas you need to focus on.

Familiarisation, not practice

Centres and students often request 'practice' material and the AAT goes to great lengths to draw a distinction between familiarisation and practice. Competence is about applying the skills and knowledge to address accounting tasks. Candidates who fall into the habit of 'practicing' and forecasting what will arrive in the 'live' assessment are likely to do themselves disservice, especially if practice is the only form of preparation undertaken by the candidate.

These materials are for familiarisation purposes only, and must not be used as live assessment.

Click here to go to the skills tests and simulations library