How long it takes you to qualify as a chartered accountant is not trivial. It can be the difference between missing out on your ideal role, and not. The faster you qualify, the less likely it is that one of your peers will beat you to getting that foothold in your dream career path. 

Unfortunately, part-qualified accountants working towards their ACCA or CIMA qualifications often find themselves on a prolonged, arduous learning journey, typically taking at least 3-4 years to complete all their exams. On average, a CIMA student will fail approximately 3-4 out of 12 exams, while an ACCA student is likely to fail at least 3 out of 13. These setbacks not only extend the qualification timeline but also add to the financial and emotional burden.

There’s zero reason why this should be the norm. What causes students to take so long is not the inherent difficulty of the exams or subject matter - rather, it’s that they’re often relying on old-fashioned, dull tuition or sub-optimal learning habits that arise when students try to go it alone.

At VIVA, we've made it our mission to create a modern learning experience that is optimised in every aspect, helping students to get qualified twice as fast as the average student. Our scientifically-aligned methodology, market-leading learning platform, coupled with unparalleled tutor support, has transformed the trajectories of countless students. Don't just take our word for it - let's delve into the stories of those who've turned their exam struggles into consecutive first-time passes with VIVA.

Turning Repeated Fails into First-Time Passes

Many students come to us after facing setbacks with other tuition providers or self-study methods. Their experiences highlight a common theme: the need for tailored support and resources that are hyper-focused on exam technique and application.

All the testimonials that follow are taken directly from Trustpilot, one of the most reliable review sites in the world. So these are opinions volunteered by students and verified on Trustpilot’s platform. You can click the hyperlinked text to read the full review from each student.

Silvia’s case is a great example of how much of a change she experienced when switching from the self-study approach to VIVA:

"I failed OCS a couple of times and I didn't use any provider, so I wanted extra support and I decided to join VIVA on the Elite course. I passed the MCS on the first attempt. The webinars, workshops, material and mocks are very useful and I felt the preparation I had was much better than my previous case study… The course's tutor is brilliant and very knowledgeable."

VIVA student Jessica echoed this sentiment in her review, though in her case, she left behind a less effective provider:

"I used VIVA to pass my CIMA MCS and SCS first time after struggling with OCS (using a different provider)... Being able to communicate with students facing the same exam as you with tutor involvement sets VIVA apart from traditional tuition providers…The tutor is amazing, she goes above and beyond for her students to make sure they are as prepared and supported as they can be."

These testimonials are not just anecdotes; they are evidence of a consistent pattern where students, previously hindered by repeated failures due to old-fashioned study methods, suddenly find themselves securing consecutive first-time passes with VIVA:

“Thanks to VIVA, I managed to pass all 3 Case Study exams on the first attempt. A special thanks to the VIVA team for their unwavering support throughout my studies. Thank you… for the great tuition and support with the Elite course I attended for the SCS exam in May 2024. This was instrumental in my success. I highly recommend this provider to anyone aiming for exam success.” - Aliza Beukes

“I purchased VIVA’s Elite for CIMA OCS and it was the best thing I ever did! I have failed the case study 3 times with different study providers and after attending the VIVA Elite course I’ve passed the exam with 117 points! The experience and the content were great and the tutor, Andrew Mower was amazing. I actually enjoyed studying for the case study and the results speak for themselves.” - Maria Alexandra Cheiu

Efficiency Through Expert Guidance

The expertise of our tutors is a cornerstone of our students' success. Personalised attention and a deep understanding of exam requirements make all the difference.

"I cannot recommend VIVA enough," Julie van Heerden noted. "Their interactive materials are amazing. The SCS case study Elite course… was worth every penny. [A]n amazing tutor who has a real passion for her subject and her students. To date, I have had all first passes. Without VIVA, I would not have gotten this far."

Here’s John Rafferty:

"This is the best CIMA tuition provider I’ve used during my studies - the study materials were thorough, comprehensive and useful, and the tutor was excellent. The mock case study exams were particularly useful, marked promptly and with superb feedback provided; one mock exam contained a question which actually came up in my real exam. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend VIVA Tuition."

Our tutors don't just teach; they mentor, motivate, and instill confidence. This support accelerates learning, enabling students to grasp complex concepts more quickly and apply them effectively in exams.

Comprehensive Resources Tailored for Success

Exam-optimised resources are essential for efficient learning. VIVA's materials are designed to be easy-to-follow, hyper-focused, and aligned with exam standards.

"The case study material from VIVA is just the ticket, relevant, comprehensive and at the right level to ensure a pass”, said Leigh. “At the price for the [core] package it also costs less than a resit too. 3 x first time case study passes thanks to this material"

Dean highlighted the practical impact of VIVA’s resources on his preparation:

"The marked mocks were a huge confidence boost and highlighted weak areas for improvement. I particularly found the "Applied Series" beneficial in coming to grips with how to apply key SCS theory into practical, pre-seen relevant questions."

Our application focus and mock exams, written by official writers and integrated into an exam engine that replicates the real ACCA and CIMA testing environments, equips students with the confidence and technique they need to nail the exam on first sitting. This is how we radically cut students’ qualification times.

A Proven Track Record of Accelerated Qualification

Perhaps the most compelling evidence of VIVA’s impact is the speed at which our students complete their qualifications.

Take the case of Murat Sayin, a VIVA student and CIMA prizewinner. Murat completed his CIMA qualification in just 1.5 years—a groundbreaking feat given the average timeline!

In his interview, Murat shared:

"I followed totally and fully VIVA Tuition’s methodology."

He emphasised how VIVA's approach prepared him effectively for the exam:

"In my own [exam day] situation I was easily articulating the answers for all the questions, plus one or two questions were exactly the same that VIVA had asked in the mock exams, exactly the same. VIVA was also very supportive. That's all I can say."

Murat's experience illustrates how VIVA's focused methodology and supportive environment can dramatically shorten the qualification process by enabling students to pass consecutive exams on their first attempt.

Viki Gorton also flew through her CIMA exams once she discovered the VIVA approach - completing her OCS, Management level and Strategic level within 2 years!

"I discovered VIVA Tuition just before my Operational Case Study - within 2 years I am now a fully qualified CGMA. Highly recommend the All Access subscription and Marked Mocks for Case Study exams. Tutors are highly responsive if you need to contact them, the platform is easy to navigate and the videos are great to break the content down to make it easier to learn & recall. Thank you VIVA!"

Conclusion: Follow our learning path and you can accelerate your career

The path to ACCA or CIMA qualification doesn't have to be long and arduous. With VIVA, students are not only passing their exams but doing so on their first attempt, multiple times -  thus radically reducing the time taken to qualify.

With VIVA's All Access memberships, you can unlock total CIMA tuition for every subject, for one low fee. You can explore our All Access offers by clicking here.

Our passion is delivering learning that gives you your time, and thus, your life back, while accelerating you towards the career of your dreams. With VIVA, is only expertise. Join us today.