The exam is based on a case study set in a simulated business context of one or more fictional organisations. The context in the case material is based on a real business or industry.
The exam is a three-hour integrated test of syllabus content that is mainly drawn from the three strategic level papers: E3, P3 and F3. It will also draw on management and operational level content, and therefore has no specific syllabus content of its own.
The exam primarily involves application of strategic management accounting techniques to analyse, recommend and support decisions. Students must deal with material in a less structured situation than in previous strategic level papers, and integrate a variety of skills to arrive at a recommended solution.
It is unlikely there will be a single right answer, and students will be expected to recognise possible alternatives. The emphasis is on assessing students' capabilities and competence in applying appropriate knowledge, demonstrating the higher level skills of synthesis, analysis and evaluation, and skill in presenting and communicating information to users.
Read the syllabus details for the T4 part B: case study exam (PDF 42KB)
Tables and formulae provided in the exam (PDF 38KB)
Download pre-seen material and articles
Download the T4 case study (previously TOPCIMA) preseen material (PDF 226KB) for exams to be held on 28 February 2012 and 24 May 2012.
Articles analysing this preseen material will be available soon. See our T4 case study resource articles.
Read a guide to the exam and the best way to prepare for it (PDF 58KB).
Assessment strategy
There is a written three hour exam, including 20 minutes' pre exam reading time, with a limited number of questions which will usually be answered using a report and/or presentation, with further supporting documents, to a variety of users.
The questions will be based upon:
- the preseen case study material, which will be published online at least six weeks before the exam
- further unseen material which will be given in the exam. This will allow further developments to be explained and additional issues to be raised.
You must score a minimum of 25 credits (out of a possible 50) to pass T4 part B: the case study exam.
Learning outcomes
Preparatory to the exam:
- analyse the context within which the case is set
- analyse the current position of the organisation
- identify and analyse the issues facing the organisation.
During the exam:
- analyse the current position of the organisation
- identify, analyse and prioritise the issues facing the organisation
- identify, evaluate and discuss possible feasible options/courses of action available
- recommend a course of action
- prepare and present information in a format and to a standard suitable for presentation to senior management.
These activities will be undertaken using the pre-seen and unseen case study materials.
Study resources
Sample exam papers, exam guides, useful articles and reading lists for this paper.