How Long Are ACCA Exams?
ACCA exams run from two to four hours depending on the level. Here's the exact duration for Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers.
ACCA exam length depends on the level you are sitting. Durations range from two hours at Applied Knowledge up to four hours for Strategic Business Leader. Here is the full breakdown.
How long is each level?
- Applied Knowledge (BT, MA, FA): two hours each, computer-based and on demand.
- Applied Skills (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM): three hours each.
- Strategic Professional — SBR and the Options (AFM, APM, ATX, AAA): three hours and fifteen minutes each.
- Strategic Business Leader (SBL): four hours — the longest exam in the qualification.
The extra fifteen minutes on the Strategic Professional papers is not separate reading time — it is part of the exam, so you can read, plan and write throughout. Always check the current timings for your session, as ACCA occasionally adjusts formats.
Why the length matters
Time is the biggest enemy in the longer papers. Running out of time — and leaving whole requirements blank — is one of the most common reasons students fail. The fix is to practise full questions to time, so pacing becomes automatic. The 50% Club lets you attempt real questions and see exactly where your time and your marks are going.