Recommended Paper Combinations and Order

BPP recommends that the papers are attacked in the following way:

Managerial Level

The Managerial level structure is flexible. There are no rigid progression rules so you can study as many papers in whatever order you wish. However, BPP recommend the following routes as these combinations provide a balance between narrative and numerical subjects and allow you to sensibly build on knowledge learned.

Strategic level

All three Strategic level papers must be taken together at your first attempt of this level. However, any subsequent re-sits may be taken in any combination and in any order.

BPP recommendation for Managerial level:

Taking 2 Papers

	P4 (OMIS) and P7 (FATP)
	P1 (MAPE) and P5 (INTM)
	P2 (MADM) and P8 (FANA)

Rationale:

Each combination spans 2 learning pillars
Avoid having two exams on one day
Papers feed into each other progressively, therefore learning is more effective
The assessment structure becomes more progressively difficult so eases the route between the Certificate Level and the Strategic level
Managerial Level completed in three sittings

The following combinations are not recommended and should be avoided if at all possible:

P7 and P8 together as this a nightmare combination in terms of study workload
P8 before P7 as there is inferred knowledge required; or
P2 before P1 as there is inferred knowledge required also.

Taking 3 Papers

There is only one logical study three-paper combination, which should be sat in the order indicated by the direction of the arrow. However you should appreciate that studying three papers requires a far greater study commitment than sitting only two papers at a time.

	P1 (MAPE) and P4 (OMIS) and P7 (FATP)
	P2 (MADM) and P5 (INTM) and P8 (FANA)

Rationale:

Each combination spans all 3 learning pillars
The first 3 papers have an easier assessment structure than the second 3 papers
Balanced workload
All exams sat on different days
Assessment method progressively more difficult
BPP's Pass Assurance rules include attempting three papers per sitting
Managerial Level completed in two sittings

Note that sitting three at one time has the downside of

A heavier workload
The percentage of students taking and passing three papers in one sitting is lower than the percentage of students taking and passing two papers in one sitting.