AAT Distance-Learning Practicalities - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Apollo · Member

AAT Distance-Learning Practicalities

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi John,

you say that you're final level AAT.

If you are on the NVQ route, if you take the two tax papers as your options there are no skills assessments at level 4, only exams.

Not sure but if you've taken the fundamental and intermediate levels at Diploma can you not change to the NVQ / SVQ route for the final papers? A the end of the day whichever route was taken it's the same letters that you get after your name (MAAT).

For exams it is certainly quite common that the student makes their own arrangements where to sit the exams rather than the exams being sat as part of the course. (certainly that's the case with ACCA / CIMA / CAT / ICB etc.).

Hope that this helps,

Shaun.

additionsbookkeeping · Veteran Member

You do have to arrange the simulations and exams yourself which I think is a good thing as then you are ready for them when you book them, or should be!!

You dont have to pay for a course, I didn't I sat exams as an external student then sent off to BPP to do the simulations. Its £75 a go or was but its still cheaper than a course.

chellawson · Senior Member

Hi,

Im doing my ATT foundation at college its two nights a week and im worn out with that and everything else.

Im thinking of just getting the books and doing the same just sitting the exams for the next to levels.

I also wanted to do the AAT payroll administration but can only find it as a NVQ and Ive been doing the Diploma route can I do the payroll one as the NVQ will it matter?

My other question is how do I go about arranging it all myself, Do I just ring BPP and ask for the book list that I need for the courses I want to do?

I looked on amazon for the payroll books but could only find 2008 version and I know from previous posts you need to study the current years version.

Michelle

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hiya,

how did you manage to join the AAT without a training provider?

I went through the front screen of joining and I couldn't get past the question about Who is your training provider.

I phoned them and they said that the training provider has to sign off the level that you join at, and also it seemed that every question I asked them came back with the retort of "You need to ask your training provider".

I personally don't reccon that routes open anymore but I would be happy to be corrected on that!

cheers,

Shaun.

additionsbookkeeping · Veteran Member

I started off with Kaplans and just bought the first unit. I soon figured out I was just teachingmyself really so i enrolled for the exams as an external student, as long as you keep the membership of the AAT theres no problem.

It can still be done, theres a guy over on the AAT forums who is doing it now and hes never signed up with a training provider and I just finished an entire level without having a training provider.

I can't remember what questions they ask when you first start maybe you will have to get one unit from a provider then sack them off for the rest but I haven't had to do that. I only bought one unit from the whole course.

Wella · Expert

This is getting interesting, because I was looking to up my qualification but can't justify using training provider.

If there is a route through AAT with out a provider, it is definately something I would consider.

Shaun, good to see you can't resist. I notice you do try (You go offline more now) but like me you keep logging back in.

How sweet, a picture of the two of us.

Bill

additionsbookkeeping · Veteran Member

Theres no requirement to have a learning provider. BPP will let you sit the simulations for £75.00 each without buying the unit, you can buy any books you need off Amazon, it makes a hefty saving if you do it that way. The exams are £40 I think, they are slightly more at tech level but its only a fiver or so.

I'll see if I can find the email address for BPP for the sims if anyone wants it. I would just tell AAT if they ask that you are with BPP distance learning, they only need a centre number for central exams and you can just enrol with the college nearest to you. I go to a college in Shipley sometimes or the middle of Leeds depending which sitting I need exams for.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Bill,

I'm going to keep my eye on this thread as I've signed up to the viewpoint that hell is going to freeze over before I give the ICB another penny of my money!

Anyway, MAAT and ACCA seem a far more comfortable match on your business card than AICB and ACCA! (Not that I can actually put ACCA on yet anyway!).

So, from what I'm reading here, one option is that once you've signed up with a training provider and done perhaps one unit, when you get your letters from the AAT they give you the option of any exams at your level?

If that's the case then I might just do the level 4 project (unit 10) via premier but sit all of the exams without them.

Additionsbookkeeping (sorry, don't know your name) do you have a link to the thread on the AAT forum and can anyone look or is it a catch 22 that you have to become a member by giving a training provider before you can find out that you don't need a training provider.

That joining to find out on the AAT website is a bit annoying!

Thanks for this thead people. Its giving me a lot to think about... Besides the £120 I've just forked out for four more accountancy books this morning :(

Talk later,

Shaun.

Wella · Expert

Too late for me Shaun

I've already invested quite a bit of money getting to the MICB CB Dip PM Dip level and the practice licence etc. I dont regret the training provider fees as I had no real formal understanding of bookkeeping before I started. So it has given a lot of underpinning knowledge. I have realised however, that with the right learning materials and a bit of self discipline (the real hard bit) that a provider isn't always necessary. When I did my courses I hardly ever used the tutors (although the assignment feedback was helpful)

This thread is food for thought and a little research is required. Well done John for starting it and thanks Additionsbookkeeping for you insight.

Bill
(This has made me less inclined to be grumpy today)

Wella · Expert

I Have just had a look at the =AAT site

Firstly the forum link is:
http://forums.aat.org.uk/

There doesn't seem to be any membership requirement to register to use the forum (I haven't actually tried to though)

Got half way through the student sign up and the only reference to a training provider that came up was to tell them which centre you are registered with for exam purposes (even if you are doing home study - which sounds promising). It gives a search facility to find one but none came up for Cornwall? Bit of a worry - but I think there may be a clitch with the facility as none came up for Devon or Norfolk either.

Bill

Neil · Senior Member

Bill

The search facility on the AAT site is fubar. It returned nothing in Nottingham and I know there's a huge BPP place there.

This thread is making very, very interesting reading for me too. I'm going to dig at AAT.

Cheers
Neil

additionsbookkeeping · Veteran Member

BPP distance learning is classed as london if I remember rightly.

When I get home I'll get all my stuff out and see what info I have on it all. I definitely have a contact email at BPP where you can order the simulations directly.

Nikki P · Member

The first question is whether you're studying NVQ, diploma or payroll... nothing about the bookkeeping course. Is there a different exam structure for that (trying to rack brains, I'm sure I read something about the bookkeeping exam)

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi all,

can understand now how to get through all of the other bits without a course provider (thanks again for this thread).

Last remaining query that I have though is how does one get through the project (unit 10).

Its for both Diploma and NVQ routes so no getting around it.

Who marks the project?

I note that if you have to sign up with BPP for that one it's £290 with premier it's £249 but BPP seems a better bet for being able to take everything else without formal training.

On that matter is it also possible to swap and change providers? I'm just thinking that if one is registered with BPP, take all the exams then if necessary swap to Premier for the project.

many thanks in advance,

Shaun.

P.S. off to look for an answer to your question now Nikki.

Found it biggrin

Have a look at the details on this page Nikki :

https://www.aat.org.uk/content/item2560/

-- Edited by Shamus on Tuesday 23rd of February 2010 05:04:44 PM

Wella · Expert

Shamus wrote:

Last remaining query that I have though is how does one get through the project (unit 10).

Found this on AAT Global site

** All skills test assessments apart from that for unit 10 are by AAT-set simulation. You can assess Unit 10 either by AAT-set simulation or by a workplace project. Centre-set simulations are not possible for this pathway for quality assurance process reasons.

Doesn't mean much to me but may make sense to others

Also found guidance on the AATglobal site, which some of you may want to look at

http://www.aatglobal.com/Diploma_Pathway.htm

Bill

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Cheers for that Bill but think that we need a dodgy website warning on that link.

The AAT website is at www.aat.org.uk

Seems like some clever souls have mixed the AAT and ACCAGlobal website names to come up with a viable name but I don't think that it's real.

On the first quote I was just looking at the simulations and seems that if your not in a relevant workplace there's an AAT supplied simulation that can be used.

I found the word document for training providers in amongst the documents on the site (its the assessment and administration guide. no physical link but easy enough to find) and it gives a real insight into the qualification making me think that unit 10 at least must be done through a training provider.

For me it makes things less appealing as with Premier for technician level it's £249 for unit 10 or £599 for the whole level (Units 8,9,10,11,18,19 and 22)... There is a saving to be had but not so much of one as I had originally thought.

Amanda · Expert

Hi Everyone,

I'm finding this thread interesting, I was going to sign up in September for the AAT Tech level 4, but reading this I'm going to investigate to see if I can save money.
I'm already a student with AAT and have been for some time. I will have a look on their site. Normally only go on it for past papers but I think its about time I had a good look.

Bill, ring the AAT as the college I wanted to sit at (Payroll) wasn't on there so I took it else where and when I was on the phone to Premier the other day it turned out I could have took it at my first choice after all. I think maybe their website isn't updated regulary.

A

PS - Shaun, I knew you wouldn't last long!!!!

-- Edited by Amanda on Tuesday 23rd of February 2010 07:21:17 PM

Wella · Expert

I think you are right Shaun

A very brief further look and it appears to be some sort training provider in Bahrain although the content may still be valid

Bill

morgwick · Senior Member

Sorry all, I know this is an old post, but I was wondering whether anyone managed to study for AAT without using a training providers materials.

According to AAT website "In order to take AAT examinations and assessments you must register as a student member. You will need to register with an AAT training provider separately if you have not already done so. Find a training provider near you"

Is the training provider just so that the Computer Based Assessment can be taken in controlled environments, or do you have to register with a training provider, and pay their high fees?
I was hoping to be able to register as an AAT student myself, self study at home and then see if my local college would act as a test centre to do the CBA's.

Any advice appreciated.

sally-anne · Veteran Member

Hi Guys

A friend I work with bought one unit from Kaplan for Level 4, then did the rest of the units just using Osbourne books and took the exams as an external candidate with BPP, the unit 10 she did with Priemier Training, she saved loads doing it this way.

Rhianrach · Expert

morgwick wrote:

Sorry all, I know this is an old post, but I was wondering whether anyone managed to study for AAT without using a training providers materials.

According to AAT website "In order to take AAT examinations and assessments you must register as a student member. You will need to register with an AAT training provider separately if you have not already done so. Find a training provider near you"

Is the training provider just so that the Computer Based Assessment can be taken in controlled environments, or do you have to register with a training provider, and pay their high fees?
I was hoping to be able to register as an AAT student myself, self study at home and then see if my local college would act as a test centre to do the CBA's.

Any advice appreciated.

This is something I am now wondering about, as far as I can see there is no mention of your training provider on your AAT account, you dont have to sit the assessments through your provider, I didn't and when I got home my pass for the assessment was on my AAT account, once again nothing to do with my training provider. When I switched training providers after completing the first year I made no mention of my new training provider to the AAT. So in conclusion it would be my guess that when I do the next year I won't need to purchase a fulll years tuition, just buy my own books and teach myself and book myself in for my exams.

Oh and they never asked for ID so I could of been anyone taking my exam :)

-- Edited by Rhianrach on Saturday 26th of February 2011 10:33:11 AM

morgwick · Senior Member

Thanks for the replies.

I've been doing accounts and bookkeeping for 13 years, but unfortunately I mainly have experience only (only a couple of small accountancy qualifications).
Self employement is going very slow at the moment, and I have worries about my current accountancy job, so I was considering getting something on "paper" to prove I can do what I've been doing.

I didn't really want to fork out £579 plus all the add on costs for the AAT membership, exams etc with Premier Training.

Don't really know what my best route is at the moment.

Rhianrach · Expert

morgwick wrote:

Thanks for the replies.

I've been doing accounts and bookkeeping for 13 years, but unfortunately I mainly have experience only (only a couple of small accountancy qualifications).
Self employement is going very slow at the moment, and I have worries about my current accountancy job, so I was considering getting something on "paper" to prove I can do what I've been doing.

I didn't really want to fork out £579 plus all the add on costs for the AAT membership, exams etc with Premier Training.

Don't really know what my best route is at the moment.

I think if you were to ask the AAT direct they would say you need a providor, I'd bet a months salary that you can do it without though. Maybe not the old NVQ route as you did paper based assessments but with the new CBA you can book yourself into any accredited place that take external students and you just log into the exam under your student number take the exam and it credits you with pass or fail direct to your AAT account no providers involved.