Webinar Summary for SBL June 2025

Introduction

• Welcome by Hassan Dosani.
• Organized by Vify as part of their global practice to pass webinars.
• Schedule: Two days from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dubai time.

Day 1 Topics

• Introduction to SBL: Brief overview.
• Format Coverage: Explanation of all testable formats.
• Professional Skills: Discussion on five professional skills.
• Exam Techniques: Importance of exam techniques in SBL.
  • SBL is heavily technique-based.
• Foundation building for tomorrow’s advanced topics.

Day 2 Topics

• Discussions with High Scorers: Insights from prize winners.
• Technical Articles: Latest articles to be discussed.
• Drafting Session: Solve past paper questions for practical experience.
• Important Topics: List to be shared.
• Study Plan: For the last three weeks.

Question Protocol

• Questions to be typed in chat due to participant number.
• Relevant questions to be asked in relation to the current slide/topic.
• Non-relevant questions will be addressed at the end.

Previous Webinars

• Not required unless self-studying.
• Recommended webinars: YouTube March 2021, December 2021, March 2022.

Speaker Background

• Hassan Dosani: Chartered Accountant, CFO in Dubai, 15 years of experience.
• Teaching SBL for two decades to over 15,000 students.
• Personal contact: WhatsApp number shared for queries.

SBL Pass Rate Insights

• March attempt had high pass rates (53%).
• Global pass rates for SBL range from 51% to 53%.
• Hassan’s batch pass rate around 64-65%.
• SBL differs from other ACCA papers.
  • Focus on application of knowledge and common sense over theoretical knowledge.

SBL Exam Characteristics

• More than 50% of the paper is based on common sense.
• Successful candidates think like senior management (CFO or Finance Director) rather than accountants.

CBE Platform Overview

• SBL paper is on the ACCA CBE platform.
• Importance of being familiar with the platform.
• Tasks are scattered; each task needs to be scrolled through.
• Specific functions like copy-paste may not work properly; refreshing the browser might help.

Reasons for Failing SBL

1. Answers not linked with exhibits.
2. Copy-pasting without adding personal comments.
3. Time mismanagement (over-spending time on questions).
4. Struggling with common sense questions.
5. Misunderstanding requirements.
6. Lack of practice or mock exams on the CBE platform.
7. Attempting SBL along with another paper increases failure risk.

Exam Format and Strategy

• Pre-seen case study published 2 weeks before exam.
• Pre-seen should only be used for about 10% of the exam.
• Additional exhibits and tasks provided on exam day.
• Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes.
• Strategy involves focusing on the exhibits and minimal reliance on pre-seen.

Formats to Master

1. Report/Briefing Paper/Note/Memo: To, From, Subject, Date, Introduction, Closure.
2. Email: Similar to reports but without introduction heading.
3. Presentation Slide: Bullet points with accompanying notes.
4. Letter and Press Release: Specific formats for less common scenarios.
5. Project Management Documents: Business case, PID.
6. Tabular Format: For questions involving weaknesses and recommendations.

Professional Skills

1. Evaluation: Includes both pros and cons.
2. Analysis: Identifying reasons or root causes.
3. Communication: Simple, clear language appropriate for the audience.
4. Commercial Acumen: Business understanding beyond finance.
5. Skepticism: Questioning and challenging points respectfully.

Exam Techniques

• Time Management: 1.8 minutes per mark; move on if time is up.
• Linking Answers: Use exhibits primarily, pre-seen if exhibits lack information.
• Point Allocation: Two marks per point; adjust for specific tasks like recommendations.
• Handling Bouncer Questions: Identify them, attempt in the end, focus on completing other questions first.

Conclusion

• Importance of practice and familiarity with CBE platform.
• Join revision classes for exam preparation.
• Upcoming day will cover advanced topics and provide further practice.