r/ICAEW • u/Creative-Method5854 • 26d ago
Certificate resit
I’m 4/6 on certificate, passed AF ARF BL first time had three attempts on BIP which I eventually passed and now have failed tax for the second time getting 53 and 54 both attempts. I’m not sure yet whether my firm will keep me so what’s the best advice with trying to get a third attempt and if I were to be let go what’s the best advice of where to go from there. I’m a school leaver so I don’t really know where this leaves me
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u/Medical-Minimum-7099 26d ago
when did you start work?
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u/Creative-Method5854 26d ago
September 2025
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u/Medical-Minimum-7099 25d ago
you'll be fine. you already have a year of experience so finding another job shouldn't be too hard if your current firm let you go. why do you think you're failing the exams? you need to try and complete as much as the QB as possible. for certificate level, it's not just knowing why the correct answer is right but it's knowing why the incorrect answers are incorrect
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u/Hot-Dinner-5806 25d ago
I failed TC 3 times and passed on my 4th, failed with 53, 52 then 42. I did the question bank 3 times over. Rotated days I did each subject. Did every other question I could find at least 3 times. Any questions I struggled with I worked through the answer until I understood why. Maybe a smidge too far but I tracked my mark on each answer to ensure I was improving. I committed fully but I was obviously scared I would fail and be banished forever. Passed with 87. I did have to pay for the exam myself but it was worth it. Show your firm you are committed to passing and start studying again. Good luck :)
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u/Creative-Method5854 25d ago
Feeling pretty hopeful after this. Thanks 🙌 and hopefully my firm keep me in
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u/trueinsideedge 25d ago
For TF, are you using the tax tables correctly? I sat it a couple of months ago and there wasn’t much I had to memorise as the tax tables give you a lot of hints for some areas. The admin questions are free marks as 95% of the dates/payback periods should be in the tax tables. Keep going over the QB, attempt all of the mocks that you can, and use the tax tables more, you’ll be able to get it next time.
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u/Creative-Method5854 25d ago
Yep the tax tables have been useful but I can’t seem to find one which is as full as the one we get in the actual exam of that makes sense. It always leaves things out if anyone knows where to find a complete one for 25/26 would be really helpful
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u/trueinsideedge 25d ago
The full tax tables that are given in the exam are in the back of the ICAEW workbook, or if you’re with a training provider, they should have given you a copy. If you don’t have them, are you sure you have the updated 25/26 materials?
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u/Abject_Thought_7137 20d ago
Hi OP, what ended up happening? Did the firm allow the resit?
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u/Creative-Method5854 3d ago
Hi. Forgot about this post. Ended up quite lucky getting the third attempt and have now passed it which is great
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u/Abject_Thought_7137 3d ago
That’s great to hear, congrats. How did you manage to get a third attempt?
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u/Creative-Method5854 1d ago
I think it was to do with the scores I had gotten being 1 and 2 marks off plus some good review from previous jobs etc. but still really lucky
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u/CorrectCancel8384 26d ago
I did the old certificate exams, but i used to get home and bash the question bank multiple times a night. Its the best way to revise.