I've been looking at the AAT syllabus at Level 2 - looks fairly straightforward. I thought if I spent the next 4 - 6 weeks studying on my own I'd be ready to start studying Level 3 in September.
Am I underestimating the amount of work involved? It seems that Level 2 is aimed at school leavers. I'm much, much older than the target age group and I have life/ work experience. So, I'd like to shave 6 months off my training time (and save £500 for L2, too)..............but only if its worth it in the long run.
Has anyone else got experience of going straight to L3?
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
I believe (I am from the ICB not AAT so could be wrong) that you can do an online test which will exempt you from doing the Level 2 course. You could contact the college you were thinking of studying with as I think they can also exempt you from Level 2.
It is my understanding (from membership applications to ICB) that most people skip Level 2.
Oh just thought I would add that depending on your work experience I would suggest you buy the text book anyway for reading. The foundations of accountancy are very important (I would say that I'm from a bookkeeping institute ) and it isn't always best to skip the lower levels.
agree totally with James on the lower level stuff.
When I finished the OU Certificate in Accounting (B680) several of us who did the OU together went on to ACCA. We had exemptions from the first three ACCA papers but I decided to take the exams rather than apply for the exemptions (With the ACCA exemptions are the equivalent of a paid for exam but with a guaranteed pass).
This meant that I started three papers behind everyone else in my group but within 12 months I had caught up and where the others really struggled with the skills level papers I feel because I had taken a step back I passed almost all of the skills level papers at first sitting.
I am now the only one of my group that has not dropped out of ACCA and in discussions with the others it has come up more than once that they felt that their failure at the qualification was down to not having their foundations properly in place before going on to the higher studies.
I know that AAT is not ACCA but it will be a similar story about expected klnowledge brought forwards from earlier studies. I would strongly advise that you at least purchase the AAT Foundation Revision Companion for units 1-4 (ISBN 9780751732283). And before thinking that such is below you, I'm now advanced level ACCA and I still spend a weekend doing every test in the book at least once a year just to make sure that nothing slips.
After saying that, James is correct about the AAT skills test. You only get one go at it. It's a short but progressively more complicated test and when you've finished it you can take the results to a training provider to try and get them to agree to take you at a higher level.
Often training providers will allow you to start at higher levels but may require you to take some of the modules from the lower levels.
Wishing you the very best in your studies no matter at which level you start them,
kind regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Hi Shaun, I just order [ AAT Foundation Revision Companion for units 1-4 (ISBN 9780751732283)]. Thanks for the tips, I too am going in at Level 3 but only because I have papers that are equivalent to levels 1 - 2. But I am always going over my past papers and notes. Just to keep it fresh that book should help even further.
Been there and done it just this last year despite being adviced against it right here. Personally, I had no problem and quite easily passed the course. That said, I also saw some who work in accounts and completed L2 struggles at the course. So it really depends on you. Get relevant books and try and learn from it. If you find it okay, I'll say go for it, otherwise spend the money and start at L2.
I also agree with James, it is vital that you have a full understanding of the fundamentals that level 2 provides students with, especially if they lack the experience required to start straight at level 3.
However there are students that do the same to help save time and money so you are not alone there. To help Premier Training offers a short online quiz to students who wish to find out which level is best for them to start at. When you are ready below is the link to the quiz and once completed simply click submit. A tutor will mark it ASAP for you and contact you with the results. From there you can make an informed decision on which level to start at. Feel free to have a go now and this will give you a better idea of what is included in level 2.
I did level 2 first and found it easy. Level 3 builds on what you learn at level 2 and if you've done level 2 there is less work involved at level 3 because of a certain amount of repetition. If you don't want to pay for a college why don't you buy books off Amazon for level 2 (BPP ones are very well written) and go through them and then start the course at level 3. You don't have to pay for the course or exams at level 2 but would still learn what you need for a fraction of the cost. I did level 3 and 4 (last exam today!) without a training provider, I bought books off Amazon, used the online question bank, paid to take my exams at a local BPP centre and have saved myself a lot of money. Having said that I had to be quite strict with myself with getting on with it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
) and it isn't always best to skip the lower levels. 
Personally, I had no problem and quite easily passed the course. That said, I also saw some who work in accounts and completed L2 struggles at the course. So it really depends on you. Get relevant books and try and learn from it. If you find it okay, I'll say go for it, otherwise spend the money and start at L2.
