ACCA Pass Rates 2026: Every Paper Ranked by Difficulty + Pass Mark
ACCA Pass Rates 2026: Every Paper Ranked by Difficulty, with the Pass Mark
Official ACCA pass rates for all 15 exam papers, ranked easiest to hardest and grouped by level — Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional — using the newly released September 2026 session data. Includes what changed in September, the pass mark, the hardest and easiest papers, and how to plan your exam order.
The pass mark for every ACCA exam is 50%. In the September 2026 session (results released 19 October 2026), the lowest pass rates were APM (41%), PM (42%) and AAA (42%), and the highest session-based papers were TX (54%), SBL (53%) and ATX (53%). Across the last five sessions, the hardest papers are AAA and APM (~40–41%) and the easiest are BT (88%) and LW (81%). Five-session averages by level are about 74% Applied Knowledge, 54% Applied Skills and 46% Strategic Professional.
1. ACCA September 2026 pass rates: what changed
ACCA published September 2026 results on 19 October 2026. The table compares each session-based paper with June 2026. Applied Knowledge papers and LW are on-demand computer-based exams, so ACCA does not report a September figure for them; their latest data is June 2026.
| Paper | Level | Jun 2026 | Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX — Taxation | Applied Skills | 55% | 54% | −1 |
| SBL — Strategic Business Leader | Strategic Professional | 51% | 53% | +2 |
| ATX — Advanced Taxation | Strategic Professional | 47% | 53% | +6 ↑ biggest gain |
| SBR — Strategic Business Reporting | Strategic Professional | 47% | 50% | +3 |
| FR — Financial Reporting | Applied Skills | 52% | 49% | −3 ↓ biggest drop |
| FM — Financial Management | Applied Skills | 48% | 47% | −1 |
| AFM — Advanced Financial Management | Strategic Professional | 47% | 47% | 0 |
| AA — Audit & Assurance | Applied Skills | 47% | 45% | −2 |
| PM — Performance Management | Applied Skills | 41% | 42% | +1 |
| AAA — Advanced Audit & Assurance | Strategic Professional | 39% | 42% | +3 |
| APM — Advanced Performance Management | Strategic Professional | 42% | 41% | −1 · lowest in Sep 2026 |
Strategic Professional had a strong session: SBL (53%) and ATX (53%) both matched their best results in recent years, and SBR returned to 50%. Applied Skills softened: FR fell to 49% and AA to 45%, while PM stayed in the low 40s. The bottom three are unchanged: APM, PM and AAA are again the only papers below 45%. Note that March and September sessions offer only limited exam variants, so fewer students sit them than in June and December.
2. What is the pass mark for ACCA exams?
The pass mark for every ACCA exam is 50%, across all three levels — Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional. There is no negative marking, no merit or distinction band, and no difference on your record between a 50% pass and an 80% pass: both simply show as "Pass." The pass rate (the percentage of students who pass a paper in a session) is different from the pass mark (the score you personally need) — this guide covers the pass rates below.
Pass mark = 50% — the score you need. Pass rate = the share of sitters who achieved that in a given session, which is what varies by paper. A low pass rate signals a harder paper, not a higher pass mark.
3. All ACCA papers ranked by pass rate (2026)
ACCA has 15 exam papers in total, but you sit 13 — at Strategic Professional you choose two of the four options (AFM, APM, ATX, AAA). The table below ranks every paper easiest to hardest. To smooth out single-session swings, the ranking uses a five-session average, with the latest figure shown alongside.
| Rank | Paper | Full name | Level | Latest | Avg | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BT | Business & Technology | Applied Knowledge | 89% | 88% | Easiest |
| 2 | LW | Corporate & Business Law | Applied Skills | 82% | 81% | Very easy |
| 3 | FA | Financial Accounting | Applied Knowledge | 71% | 69% | Easy |
| 4 | MA | Management Accounting | Applied Knowledge | 65% | 66% | Easy |
| 5 | TX | Taxation | Applied Skills | 54% | 54% | Moderate |
| 6 | SBL | Strategic Business Leader | Strategic Professional | 53% | 51% | Moderate |
| 7 | ATX | Advanced Taxation | Strategic Professional | 53% | 51% | Moderate |
| 8 | FR | Financial Reporting | Applied Skills | 49% | 50% | Moderate |
| 9 | SBR | Strategic Business Reporting | Strategic Professional | 50% | 49% | Hard |
| 10 | FM | Financial Management | Applied Skills | 47% | 48% | Hard |
| 11 | AFM | Advanced Financial Management | Strategic Professional | 47% | 45% | Hard |
| 12 | AA | Audit & Assurance | Applied Skills | 45% | 45% | Hard |
| 13 | PM | Performance Management | Applied Skills | 42% | 42% | Very hard |
| 14 | APM | Advanced Performance Management | Strategic Professional | 41% | 41% | Very hard |
| 15 | AAA | Advanced Audit & Assurance | Strategic Professional | 42% | 40% | Hardest |
Source: ACCA Global official pass rates. Session-based papers average September 2025 to September 2026. BT, MA, FA and LW are on-demand computer-based exams reported every six months, so they average June 2024 to June 2026. AFM and AA tie on average; AFM ranks higher on its stronger latest result.
Pass rate tracks format and cognitive demand more than "how much content." Applied Knowledge papers score highest because they are objective-test CBEs you can resit on demand. The lowest rates cluster in AAA, APM and PM, where marks depend on structured written analysis applied to the scenario under time pressure — not just correct calculations.
4. ACCA Applied Knowledge pass rates (BT, MA, FA)
The Applied Knowledge level is three on-demand computer-based papers with consistently high pass rates — the best place to build momentum at the start of your ACCA journey. ACCA reports them twice a year (June and December), so June 2026 is the latest data.
| Paper | Dec 2024 | Jun 2025 | Dec 2025 | Jun 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT — Business & Technology | 87% | 88% | 87% | 89% | Stable — easiest paper |
| FA — Financial Accounting | 69% | 68% | 68% | 71% | Up ↑ best in two years |
| MA — Management Accounting | 67% | 64% | 64% | 65% | Stable |
The key to Applied Knowledge is timed question practice on the ACCA CBE platform, backed by BPP and Kaplan Applied Knowledge books.
5. ACCA Applied Skills pass rates (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM)
The six Applied Skills papers span the widest range of any level — from 82% (LW) down to the low 40s (PM). These are where most students first feel ACCA's difficulty step up.
| Paper | Dec 2025 | Mar 2026 | Jun 2026 | Sep 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW — Corporate & Business Law | 82% | N/A | 82% | N/A | Stable (on-demand) |
| TX — Taxation | 55% | 53% | 55% | 54% | Stable — most consistent |
| FR — Financial Reporting | 51% | 50% | 52% | 49% | Dipped in Sep ↓ |
| FM — Financial Management | 48% | 50% | 48% | 47% | Edging down |
| AA — Audit & Assurance | 46% | 43% | 47% | 45% | Volatile, mid-40s |
| PM — Performance Management | 40% | 45% | 41% | 42% | Persistently lowest |
PM is the persistent trouble spot at Applied Skills — it has stayed between 40% and 45% for the last four sessions because marks hinge on Section C written analysis, not calculation alone. FR slipped below 50% in September 2026 for the first time since September 2025. LW is the easiest at ~82%: an objective-test CBE that rewards systematic revision. Get the latest Applied Skills textbooks and kits for your papers.
6. ACCA Strategic Professional pass rates (SBL, SBR, options)
Strategic Professional has two compulsory papers (SBL, SBR) plus two options chosen from four (AFM, APM, ATX, AAA). These are the toughest papers in the qualification, dominated by case-study application.
| Paper | Dec 2025 | Mar 2026 | Jun 2026 | Sep 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBL — Strategic Business Leader | 50% | 52% | 51% | 53% | Edging up ↑ |
| ATX — Advanced Taxation | 50% | 50% | 47% | 53% | Volatile, strong Sep |
| SBR — Strategic Business Reporting | 48% | 50% | 47% | 50% | Stable, around 50% |
| AFM — Advanced Financial Management | 45% | 44% | 47% | 47% | Improving ↑ |
| AAA — Advanced Audit & Assurance | 38% | 42% | 39% | 42% | Lowest average |
| APM — Advanced Performance Management | 41% | 40% | 42% | 41% | Persistently low |
AAA and APM are the two lowest-scoring papers across the whole qualification, both averaging around 40–41% over the last five sessions. They reward demonstrated professional judgement and scepticism applied to the scenario — rote learning does not carry them. At the other end, SBL has now been at or above 50% for every session since 2023. Explore Strategic Professional study materials to prepare.
7. The 5 hardest ACCA papers
By five-session average to September 2026, these papers have the lowest pass rates:
Demands critical evaluation and professional scepticism under time pressure. The open-ended requirements punish unstructured answers. 42% in September 2026.
Requires linking strategic models to messy real-world scenarios. Candidates lose marks writing generically instead of about the specific organisation. The lowest paper in September 2026 at 41%.
Surprisingly hard for an Applied Skills paper. Section C written analysis, not the calculations, is where most marks are lost.
Risk points must be specific to the scenario — generic "risk of misstatement" statements score nothing.
Heavy numerical content across derivatives, hedging and valuation, combined with written evaluation. Improving: 47% in both June and September 2026.
8. The 5 easiest ACCA papers
These have the highest pass rates and make ideal early wins:
Broad syllabus tested by objective questions; an on-demand CBE. Consistent study of the BT text is usually enough.
Straightforward legal concepts via MCQs; a memory-based CBE that suits systematic revision.
Core double-entry and financial-statement preparation — the bedrock for FR and SBR later.
Costing, budgeting and variances. Regular calculation practice is the key.
The most consistent Applied Skills paper, steady between 53% and 55% — rules-based and very learnable.
9. Why students fail ACCA exams
Drawing on ACCA examiner reports, the recurring reasons candidates fall short are consistent across papers:
10. How to improve your ACCA pass rate
BPP and Kaplan texts and kits cover the full syllabus in the structure examiners expect.
Time yourself, then mark against the model answers critically — especially written sections.
Essential for Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills to get used to the on-screen tools before exam day.
Open with higher pass-rate papers (BT, LW, FA) to build momentum, and pair papers with shared content.
For AAA, APM, PM and AA, guided coaching with mock marking targets exactly where marks are lost.
The standard entry deadline for the December 2026 session is 2 November 2026, with late entry closing 9 November. Exams run 7–11 December and results are released on 18 January 2027. From 2027 the ACCA Qualification is changing, so check our guide to ACCA syllabus changes in 2027 before deferring a paper.
Preparing for a tough paper?
Eduyush is an ACCA Registered Learning Partner offering BPP and Kaplan materials plus coaching with mock marking — priced for India and the GCC, with books shipped to India in 7–15 days.
Get ACCA study materials Explore online coaching11. Strategic paper pairing guide
Smart combinations leverage overlapping content so one paper's study reinforces another:
| Combination | Why it works |
|---|---|
| FR + AA | Financial-statements knowledge feeds directly into audit procedures |
| TX + ATX | ATX builds on TX — sit TX first, then extend it |
| FR + SBR | IFRS is tested in both; SBR deepens the FR foundation |
| AA + AAA | Audit knowledge is cumulative; AAA assumes AA mastery |
| PM + APM | Concepts carry forward — but this is the toughest pairing, so space it out |
For sequencing across the whole qualification, see the ACCA paper order guide and plan costs with the ACCA fee breakdown.
12. Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for ACCA exams?
The pass mark is 50% for every ACCA paper, at all three levels. There is no negative marking and no merit or distinction grade — both a 50% and an 80% simply show as "Pass" on your record.
What were the ACCA September 2026 pass rates?
September 2026 pass rates were: TX 54%, SBL 53%, ATX 53%, SBR 50%, FR 49%, FM 47%, AFM 47%, AA 45%, PM 42%, AAA 42% and APM 41%. Results were released on 19 October 2026. Applied Knowledge papers and LW are on-demand exams, so ACCA does not publish September figures for them.
What is the overall ACCA pass rate?
ACCA publishes pass rates by paper, not one overall figure. Averaging the last five sessions, the levels come out at roughly 74% for Applied Knowledge, 54% for Applied Skills and 46% for Strategic Professional. The simple average of the 11 session-based papers was about 48% in September 2026.
What is the hardest ACCA paper?
By five-session average to September 2026, AAA (Advanced Audit & Assurance, ~40%) and APM (Advanced Performance Management, ~41%) are the hardest. APM had the lowest pass rate in September 2026 at 41%. PM (Performance Management) is the hardest Applied Skills paper at about 42%.
What is the easiest ACCA paper?
BT (Business & Technology) is the easiest at 89% in the latest data (June 2026), followed by LW (Corporate & Business Law) at 82%. Both are objective-test computer-based exams available on demand.
What are the ACCA Applied Skills pass rates?
In September 2026: TX 54%, FR 49%, FM 47%, AA 45% and PM 42%. LW, an on-demand exam, was 82% in June 2026. PM and AA are the toughest of the six.
What are the ACCA Strategic Professional pass rates?
In September 2026: SBL 53%, ATX 53%, SBR 50%, AFM 47%, AAA 42% and APM 41%. AAA and APM remain the lowest-scoring papers in the whole qualification.
When are the next ACCA results released?
Results for the December 2026 session are released on 18 January 2027. The standard entry deadline for December 2026 is 2 November 2026.
How many ACCA papers are there?
There are 15 exam papers in total, but you sit 13 — at Strategic Professional you choose two of the four options (AFM, APM, ATX, AAA). That is 3 Applied Knowledge + 6 Applied Skills + 2 compulsory + 2 optional Strategic Professional papers.
How many times can you sit an ACCA exam?
There is no limit on attempts for any paper. Applied Knowledge and some LW variants are on-demand CBEs you can resit any time; session papers run four times a year (March, June, September, December). Once you pass your first Strategic Professional exam, you have seven years to complete that level.
Are ACCA pass rates going down?
No clear decline. Strategic Professional rates have risen over the past few years, and SBL, ATX and SBR all improved in September 2026. Applied Skills softened slightly in September, with FR and AA down, but each paper stayed within its recent range.
Keep planning your ACCA journey
Turn the odds in your favour
Eduyush is an ACCA Registered Learning Partner. Get BPP and Kaplan materials and coaching tuned to the papers with the lowest pass rates — books, coaching and registration in one place, priced for India and the GCC.
Explore ACCA courses & books Register with EduyushPass rates compiled from ACCA Global's official pass-rate tables (latest September 2026 session, released 19 October 2026; June 2026 for on-demand papers) and last updated 25 October 2026. Single-session rates fluctuate — rankings use a five-session average. The pass mark is 50% for all papers.
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ACCA Exam dates. Questions? Answers.
When is the next ACCA exam session?
The next session is September 2026, held 7–11 September 2026. Standard exam entry closes 27 July 2026 and late entry closes 3 August 2026 (both 23:59 UK time).
What is the ACCA exam entry deadline for September 2026?
Standard entry closes 27 July 2026. A late-entry window (at a higher fee) stays open until 3 August 2026. Both deadlines are 23:59 UK time.
When are the December 2026 ACCA exams and entry deadlines?
December 2026 exams run 7–11 December 2026. Standard entry closes 2 November 2026 and late entry closes 9 November 2026.
When are ACCA results released?
September 2026 results are released on 19 October 2026. December 2026 results are released on 18 January 2027. Opt in via myACCA at least seven days before release to receive results by text.
How many times a year can I sit ACCA exams?
Session exams run four times a year — March, June, September and December. In addition, Applied Knowledge exams, the seven Foundations exams and some LW variants are on-demand CBEs you can sit year-round.
What happens if I miss the standard entry deadline?
You can still enter during the late-entry window at a higher fee — until 3 August 2026 for September, or 9 November 2026 for December. Miss the late deadline and you'll need to wait for the next session.
What is the ACCA exam entry fee for 2026?
ACCA exam fees are charged in GBP and vary slightly by country. For 2026, a standard Applied Skills entry is roughly £151 in India versus £155 in the UAE and Mauritius; late entry costs more. Initial registration is £30 in India (after discount) or £89 elsewhere. Check your exact fees in myACCA, or estimate your full cost with the ACCA Fee Calculator.
Can I sit ACCA exams online from home in 2026?
Yes. ACCA offers remotely invigilated (remote) exams you can sit from home for Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers. You must pass a mandatory system test before check-in. All variants are available remotely in December; September remote sessions offer limited variants only. Applied Knowledge and Foundations exams are on-demand CBEs.
Is Eduyush.com an ACCA RLP?
Yes. Eduyush (Yush Consultants) is anACCA Registered Learning Partnerfor DipIFR online classes. Verify our RLP status on ACCA's official directory →
Is the remote exam timetable the same as the centre-based timetable?
Yes. Remote (remotely invigilated) exams share the same day-by-day timetable as centre exams. Remote candidates must pass a mandatory system test before check-in, and September remote sessions offer limited variants only.
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