How you are assessed?
The AAT qualification is about proving you are competent to carry out an accounting technician role. This is why you will be assessed using both a series of exams and practical assessments. These will show you can not only remember calculations but also apply them to real life situations.
Accountancy and Payroll courses
You will be assessed by:
Exams
These paper based exams are set by the AAT and take place twice a year, in June and December. They are designed to test your knowledge and understanding in the context of case studies. The exams will last for approximately three hours, with an initial 15 minutes' reading time. Results are available in August and February respectively. They are sent to all students and are available on the AAT website.
Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustments
We will liaise with the AAT on your behalf if you have any special requirements. This can include extra time, enlarged type, a scriber or reader, or anything else according to your needs.
Skills tests
Skills tests are where you prove competence by either submitting work based evidence or sitting a simulation. Students on the NVQ pathway will build a portfolio of evidence as the basis of this assessment. Portfolios can include real life examples from the workplace and from voluntary activities. Students on the Diploma pathway will sit skills tests in a simulated environment. These are called simulations.
The aim of the tests is to assess your ability to carry out specific tasks and to operate effectively in the workplace to the required standards. Skills tests may take place at any time, mutually agreed between you and your training centre.
Dates for simulations are timetabled into classroom courses. However, you must sit them when you are fully prepared. Classroom students must sit them at their chosen BPP training centre. Distance learning students can sit them at either their chosen place of work (under invigilation of a supervisor, registered with us), or at a local BPP training centre (charges may apply).
Projects
Project based units will require you to undertake a report based on your workplace. You will need to select a problem area, analyse it, highlight the weaknesses and give your recommendation. The approximate word length is 3,000 to 4,000 words.
Mock Skills Test/Exams
Depending on the unit you will either have a mock skills test or mock exam. These will prepare you for the actual skills tests and exams and give you valuable practice for the real one. You will receive the markers’ assessment forms with feedback and suggested solutions.
AAT Bookkeeping Certificate
You will be assessed by:
Computer Based Assessment (CBA)
This is an online assessment taken at any of our AAT recognised Approved Assessment Centres (AAC). It consists of 50 questions which need to be completed within two hours.
