Further to the results from students' and Workshop Facilitators' survey, please find the following FAQ for your reference.
| Q1. |
Will I be given sufficient time to prepare for the module examination? |
| Ans. |
CPA Qualification Programme (CPA QP) is designed to be taken outside normal working hours, based mainly on self-study, using appropriate distance education material made available by the HKICPA together with recommended reference reading. It should be noted that CPA QP is a structured professional examination/training programme that provides guidance to candidates as they prepare for the module examination when they get prepared for the module workshop materials during the course of the module. Remember that a CPA QP module comprises four workshops of 3 to 3.5 hours each, spreading over a period of 15 weeks. The candidates should be prepared to start studying for the module examination as early as the module commencement date when they prepare for the first workshop which usually takes place at the 3 rd week after that. |
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| Q2. |
Do I have sufficient time to answer the examination questions? |
| Ans. |
There are altogether four module examinations and a Final Professional Examination. A CPA QP candidate has to sit under the programme. Each of the CPA QP Module Examination is a three-hour open-book examination which will be held two weeks after the forth module workshop. There are two sections in the examination paper and candidates should allocate approximately one hour and thirty minutes for each section. After successful completion of the four CPA QP Modules, candidates are eligible to take a six-hour open-book Final Professional Examination, which will be taken in two papers of three hours each plus half hour reading time. During the reading time, candidates are allowed to read the questions and organise their answers on the questions booklet. No actual writing on the answer script booklet is allowed until the actual examination starts. After the reading time, candidates have three hours to answer questions. There are two sections in the examination paper and FPE candidates should allocate approximately two hours and fifteen minutes for Section A and forty-five minutes for Section B. Candidates should have sufficient time to answer all questions if they can manage the time efficiently according to the marks awarded to each question. |
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| Q3. |
Does HKICPA offer any assistance on improving examination techniques? |
| Ans. |
In Section 2 of the Candidate Learning Pack provided by the HKICPA for each module, you will also find extensive coverage of examination techniques including study techniques that are useful for writing module examinations. Guidance on examination techniques are also given during the Student Orientation Session held for each module offering. In addition, at the fourth and final module workshop, the last thirty minutes are devoted to improving candidates' examination techniques. Workshop Facilitators will discuss with you important points and common problems in writing module examinations. There are also formal but optional training courses to help CPA QP candidates to write CPA QP examinations, which include FPE Revision Course, Examination Assistance Course for CPA QP modules and Case Analysis Training Seminars. These are charged at very nominal rates. As an additional study support to CPA QP candidates, HKICPA has web-cast the latest Case Analysis Training Seminars on the on-line CPA QP Learning Support Centre, which are available for access free-of-charge. Those who have visited this on-line Learning Support Centre would know that it contains past years' examination questions and answers and other useful reference materials to help CPA QP candidates to pass their examinations. |
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| Q4. |
Is the module workshop helpful in preparing for the CPA QP examinations? |
| Ans. |
Module workshops will indeed help candidates to prepare for the CPA QP examinations. Having done all the prior preparation as required when attending module workshops, you will find the workshops a place to learn and build on what you have already known, to discuss the approaches on issues, and to learn from the experiences of your Workshop Facilitators and fellow classmates. |
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| Q5. |
Is the Candidate Learning Pack (CLP) helpful for me to preparing for the CPA QP examinations? |
| Ans. |
HKICPA provides resource materials to guide candidates studying for the CPA QP modules. These materials are contained in the CLP for each module, which provides extensive coverage of the syllabus, particularly the special topic areas which will make up at least 70% of the workshop and examination materials. However, the CLP for each module is not intended to be a “know it all” resource. You are expected to read up and research backgrounds and supplementary materials including standards, legislation and relevant textbooks to prepare for the module examinations. |
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| Q6. |
What are the contents of the CLP? |
| Ans. |
The contents are organised in sections. The materials in the CLP are practical, relevant to the Hong Kong environment and based on current issues. Each section commences with learning outcomes followed by a technical narrative, which details the major aspects of the topics covered in the section, and provides specific references to texts, standards and legislation. Each topic is further enhanced by the inclusion of practical examples together with detailed suggested solutions, which lead students through the issues. Finally there is a self-evaluation checklist. After enrolment in a module, you will be provided with a CLP for the module. You are expected to work through all CLP sections at the end of the module. This can be achieved by preparing for the designated sections in the CLP for each of the four module workshops. |
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| Q7. |
My CLPs are outdated. Will HKICPA have any e-version CLPs on-line for viewing? |
| Ans. |
Yes. Updated e-version of the CLPs for all four modules are posted on the HKICPA's CPA QP Learning Support Centre for CPA QP candidates. In principle, each time when a CLP is updated, its e-version CLP will be posted on-line for reference. However, you will need a Login ID and a Password to logon to the Learning Support Centre, which will be given to you after you have successfully registered as a CPA QP candidate. |
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| Q8. |
What sort of questions will be covered in the examination questions? Am I given options for the choice of questions? |
| Ans. |
Module examinations and Final Professional Examination are open-book written examinations that consist of case questions (Section A), short answer type questions and mini case study type questions (Section B). All questions are compulsory and candidates should answer all questions to complete the examination. |
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| Q9. |
Do I need to quote the relevant standards or legislations and rules when answering the examination questions? |
| Ans. |
Yes, candidates are expected to clearly state the relevant standards, legislations or other pronouncements to which they refer in the answer. However, candidates should note that unless otherwise specified, mere citation of sections, cases or relevant authority would not earn marks unless candidates can demonstrate they are applying the right principles. Candidates are always encouraged to keep themselves up-to-date on current legislations and pronouncements made by HKICPA. However, according to the Six-month Rule of the CPA Qualification Programme, candidates will not be penalised if the examination answers are completed in accordance with the legislations and/or pronouncements as they stood six months prior to the examination date. It should also be noted that the Six-month Rule refers to the date of the legislation and/or pronouncements in which they were released, not the effective date. |
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| Q10. |
Why should I need to use specific script booklets to answer specific sections of the examination? |
| Ans. |
During the examinations, candidates are given two answer booklets: one booklet for Case Questions and another booklet for Essay/Short Questions. Candidates are required to use the appropriate script booklet to answer each section of the examination paper. The aim of this requirement is to facilitate the marking procedure. The examination marking procedures are designed to ensure that the marking process is consistent, accurate and fair to all candidates. To achieve consistency in marking, a small group of markers will mark only one section of the examination paper for all scripts. To facilitate this marking process, candidates are required, as reminded in the Candidate Handbook, Examination Attendance Docket, answer script booklet, and Examination Supervisor's announcement, to answer Case Questions in the script booklet for Case, and to answer Essay/Short Questions in the script booklet for Essay/Short Questions. Failure to do so may render their examination script unmarked. |
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| Q11. |
The suggested answers in the Questions and Answers Booklet are so long! Do I need to write the same length of answers during the examinations? |
| Ans. |
The suggested answers are longer and generally more detailed than those expected from a candidate taking the examinations. For education purposes, the answers are intended to provide candidates with an indicative guide to the form and standard of answer that they should try to provide. The answers may not contain all the points that could correctly be made and the Institute's experienced markers are instructed to award credit to valid answers which may not be covered in the suggested answers. |
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| Q12. |
Do I have a choice of examination centre? |
| Ans |
No.The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), who administer the Institute's examinations, does not offer a choice to candidate with respect to the allocation of examination centres. However, do note that HKEAA will find the most suitable and convenient centres for the relevant examinations according to candidates' addresses. Please note that the HKEAA only administers the examinations on behalf of the Institute, candidates should contact the Institute directly for all enquiries regarding the examinations. |
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| Q13. |
When should I receive the Examination Attendance Docket (EAD)? What should I do if no EAD is received? |
| Ans |
Candidates will each receive an Examination Attendance Docket (EAD) from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) approximately two weeks prior to the date of the examination. The EAD contains information including the name of the examination paper, examination centre, date and time of the examination, desk number and student registration number. It also serves as a personal identification and entry permit to the examination centre that candidates must bring along to the examination. Therefore, candidates should check and notify the Institute's Education and Training (E&T) Department immediately on 2287 7046 if errors are found on their dockets. Candidates who do not receive their EADs seven working days before the examination should contact the E&T Department immediately to obtain a duplicate copy. A duplicate copy of the EAD may not be issued to candidates who do not approach the Institute by the specified period. Do note that failure to produce the EAD in the examination hall may result in disqualification from sitting the examination. Candidates are requested to take note of the relevant announcement on examination matters in the Students' Section of the Institute's monthly journal, The Hong Kong Accountant. |
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