CBE guidance

Strategic
Professional (SBL)
CBE GUIDANCE – STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL)

This document explains the workspace

and response options used in Strategic
Professional CBEs, and gives guidance on
how to best use the exam functionality
to navigate through the exam and
answer questions.
WHAT ARE STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL CBEs LIKE?
Strategic Professional CBEs use the same kind of technology found in today’s workplace,
including specially designed spreadsheet, word processing and presentation slide response
options. This means the exams closely reflect how a modern finance professional works, boosting
your employability skills.

The following section of the guide tells you more about the workspace and response options, and
how they work.

THE IMPORTANCE OF QUESTION PRACTICE

Question practice is key to exam success. Use ACCA’s Practice Platform
to practice constructing answers for Strategic Professional CBEs, using the
functionality available in the exam.

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 STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL) – CBE GUIDANCE

The workspace and response options

The following pages provide information on the workspace item, such as available functionality and guidance which should be
followed when constructing your response within the workspace.

1 WORKSPACE OVERVIEW

Your exam consists of one case study. Exhibits

Each case study is presented in a • These contain the case study scenario
workspace. content broken down into sections or
sources of information that you will
The workspace is the area within the
need to answer the tasks.
computer based exam which contains all
of the case study content, the tasks and • An exhibit may be in the
the response options within which you format of a spreadsheet or
will construct your responses. may contain text or images.
All workspace response options will be
Tasks
expert marked.
• These are the tasks you are expected
The workspace contains introductory to complete in the workspace.
information about the case study on the
right hand side of the screen. Response options
• You may be presented with one or
The left hand side of the screen lists a
more response options within which
series of buttons under the headings
to construct your answer. Important:
Exhibits, Tasks and Response Options.
When the buttons are selected, the • A response option may be in the Some tasks may specify which
relevant windows are opened and format of: response option you should use
displayed on-screen. – A word processor to answer it, however if this is
– A spreadsheet not specified you can choose
There is a splitter bar which can which of the response options
– Slides.
be used for you to see more or (one or more) within which
less of the left or right hand side Each of these response options are to construct your answer
of the screen, as required. explained later in this document.

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CBE GUIDANCE – STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL)

2 WORKSPACE FUNCTIONALITY

Windows
• All exhibit, tasks and response option
windows can be moved around the
screen and resized as required.
• You can bring any window to
the front, either by selecting
the relevant button on the left
hand side of the screen, or by
selecting the window itself.
• Some windows will require you to
scroll vertically and/or horizontally.
Always scroll to the bottom of each
window and where relevant, to the
far-right of the window to ensure you
have viewed all content.
• You can close each window
individually or close all windows at
once by selecting from
the top toolbar. This minimises the
open windows to the left-hand side
of the screen. Anything you have
entered into the response options will
be saved, so you can re-open them
and continue working at any time.
 
Highlight and Strikethrough
• You can highlight or strikethrough
text in the introductory information,
exhibits or tasks by selecting
or
– Response options (eg word • Formatting will be retained in most
• If you close windows individually processor to slides or spreadsheets, cases, however will not be retained
or use the Close All button, any or between different slides). for example, when copying from
highlighting or strikethrough you – Scratch Pad. spreadsheet to word processing
have applied will be saved for when responses/Scratch Pad.
the window is re-opened. • You can also copy from the following
workspace areas to those listed above: • Copying from word processing
Copy and Paste – Introductory information responses/Scratch Pad to a
• You can copy and paste between – Exhibits spreadsheet, will copy the text into
different elements of the workspace – Tasks one spreadsheet cell.
by using the Ctrl-C (Copy) and Ctrl-V however you cannot copy text from
(Paste) shortcuts. other areas into them.
• Copy and paste is possible between • When pasting into a spreadsheet
each of the following areas of the response from elsewhere in
Practice makes perfect
workspace: workspace you must double-click the
cell or select the formula bar. Use ACCA’s Practice Platform
to try out the functionality
outlined on this page and perfect
NOTE: your preferred techniques
When using PDF exhibits in the real exam, and you want to select text to before the day of the exam.
highlight, strikethrough or copy, you need to select the ‘text tool’ button.

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 STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL) – CBE GUIDANCE

3 WORD PROCESSOR RESPONSE OPTIONS

You will either be presented with:

• A blank word processing area within
which you enter your answer; or
• A pre-formatted area (a template)
within which you should complete
Toolbar icon(s) Function Additional guidance/shortcuts
your answer.
Reset Care should be taken with this icon.
Functions Only select this if you want to clear your
full response and start again. You will
• A number of word processing be presented with a message asking
functions are available via the tool bar. you to confirm if you wish to proceed.

• You can add a selection of currency Cut Ctrl-X (Cut)

Copy Ctrl-C (Copy)
symbols to your answer by selecting
Paste Ctrl-V (Paste)
on the top toolbar.
Undo Ctrl-Z (Undo)
Redo Ctrl-Y (Redo)

These allow you to undo/redo your last action(s).

Note: If your last action was resetting

your response, Undo will restore a Word
Processing response (but will not restore
a Spreadsheet response so care must
be taken when resetting responses.)

Find and Replace Ctrl-F

Bold Ctrl-B (Bold)

Italic Ctrl-I (Italic)
Underline Ctrl-U (Underline)
Strikethrough

Subscript
Superscript

Clear Formatting

Paragraph You can choose from six font sizes.

Tables Standard table features including cell, row and

column functions.

Left Align
Centre
Right Align
Justify

Bulleted List You can enter text as either bulleted or numbered

Numbered List lists.

Decrease Indent
Increase Indent

Select All Ctrl-A (no toolbar icon available).

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CBE GUIDANCE – STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL)

4 SLIDE RESPONSE OPTIONS

• You will be presented with a number – A pre-formatted area (a template)

of slides and for each one, an within which you should complete
additional slide allowing you to enter your answer.
your supporting speaker notes.
• Each slide will contain the same
• In each slide you will either be functionality as is available in the
presented with: Word Processing response options.
– A blank response area within which See Word Processor Response
you enter your answer; or Options above.

5 SPREADSHEET RESPONSE OPTIONS

You will either be presented with: • Selecting cells and using the drag
handle to fill other cells (where
• A blank spreadsheet within which you
no formulae are applied) copies
enter your answer; or
and pastes the exact contents of
• A pre-formatted area (a template) the selected cells. In an example
within which you should complete where 1 and 2 have been entered
your answer. as numbers, the result is 1, 2,
1, 2 instead of the sequence
Spreadsheet instructions being extended (eg 1, 2, 3, 4).
• The spreadsheet response
• You can add a selection of currency
can only be made up of one
symbols to your answer by selecting
worksheet. It is not possible for
on the top toolbar.
you to add another worksheet.
• Guidance on commonly used
• If you have been provided with a pre-
spreadsheet functions and formulae
formatted response (template) some
is provided below.
data within the spreadsheet may be
protected so you cannot change it.
Spreadsheet functions
• You cannot enter or delete • A number of spreadsheet functions
rows or columns within the are available via:
spreadsheet. If you wish to re- – the Edit and Format menus:
arrange your answer please use
the copy and paste functions.
• If you wish to add cell borders or
styles, you can do this by:
– Right-clicking the cell and
selecting Format Cells, or
– Selecting the Format Cells
function from the Format menu.
You must select the style and/or
colour and then the selected border
(eg Outline, Left, Horizontal). – the toolbar:
• Please only use cell colours in your
answer if necessary.

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 STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL) – CBE GUIDANCE

The toolbar functions are outlined below:

Toolbar icon Function Additional guidance/

shortcuts
Reset Care should be taken with this icon.
Only select it if you want to clear your
full response and start again.

You will be presented with a message

asking you to confirm if you wish to
proceed.

Cut Ctrl-X (Cut)

Copy Ctrl-C (Copy)
Paste Ctrl-V (Paste)

If you are cutting, copying and pasting

between cells within the spreadsheet
response, you can also use the right
click menu options.

Format painter This allows you to copy the format from

a selected object or text and apply it to
other objects or text.

Undo Ctrl-Z (Undo)

Redo Ctrl-Y (Redo)

These allow you to undo/redo your last

action(s).

Note: If your last action was resetting

a Spreadsheet response, Undo will not
restore your response so care must be
taken when resetting responses.

Zoom This allows you to reduce/increase the

display of the document.

Font size

Bold Ctrl-B (Bold)

Italic Ctrl-I (Italic)
Underline Ctrl-U (Underline)

Font colour

Cell fill colour Please only use cell colours in your

answer if necessary.

This function can also be accessed by

right-clicking the cell and selecting
Format Cells.

Left Align
Centre
Right Align

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CBE GUIDANCE – STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL)

Toolbar icon Function Additional guidance/

shortcuts
Number formats This allows you to format cell numbers.

Select ‘Custom’ to access a number of

formatting options.

This function can also be accessed by

right-clicking the cell and selecting
Format Cells.

Currency formats This allows you to select a currency

format.

Select ‘Custom’ to access a number

of formatting options, including the $
symbol.

This function can also be accessed by

right-clicking the cell and selecting
Format Cells.

Percentage formats This allows you to display the cell in a

percentage format.

Select ‘Custom’ to access a number of

formatting options.

This function can also be accessed by

right-clicking the cell and selecting
Format Cells.

Fraction formats This allows you to display the cell in a

fraction format.

Select ‘Custom’ to access a number of

formatting options.

This function can also be accessed by

right-clicking the cell and selecting
Format Cells.

Date/Time formats This allows you to select a date/time

format for the cell.

Select ‘Custom’ to access a number of

formatting options.

This function can also be accessed by

right-clicking the cell and selecting
Format Cells

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 STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL) – CBE GUIDANCE

6 COMMONLY USED SPREADSHEET FORMULAE

• You must use the = symbol to start a formula in a cell.

• Guidance on commonly used formulae and examples of these are provided in the table below.

Function Syntax Description Example formulae

Sum =SUM(number1,[number2],…) Adds everything you specify as =SUM(B2:B8) adds all the
arguments. numbers in cells B2 to B8.
number1 (required) – the first number argument to be added.
An argument can be, for =SUM(A1, A3, A5) adds the
number2,,… (optional) - additional number arguments to be added. example, a number, range, cell numbers in cells A1, A3, and A5.
reference.

Average =AVERAGE(number1,[number2],…) Provides the average of =AVERAGE(B2:B15) provides the

everything you specify as average of the numbers in cells
number1 (required) – the first number, cell reference or range for arguments B2 to B15.
which you want the average

number2,,… (optional) – additional numbers, cell references or

ranges for which you want the average

Square root =SQRT(number) Returns a positive square root =SQRT(J11)- returns the number
2 if the number in cell J11 was 4
number (required) – the number for which you want the square root.

Power =POWER(number,power) Returns the number raised to a =POWER(3,2) returns the figure
power 9 (3 squared)
number (required) – the base number (must be a real number)
Can also be used to apply =POWER(27, 1/3) returns the
power (required) – the exponent to which the base number is raised. multiple roots. figure 3 (cube root of 27)

= POWER(81,1/4) returns the

figure 3 (fourth root of 81)

Count =COUNT(value1,[value2],…) Counts the number of cells that =COUNT(C4:C8) – if 3 of the

contain numbers. cells between C4 and C8 contain
value1 (required) – the item, cell reference, or range you want to numbers, the result will be 3
count numbers within.

value2,… (required) - additional numbers, cell references or ranges

to be counted.

Round =ROUND(number,num_digits) Rounds a number to the =ROUND(C4, 2) – this would

requested number of digits round the number in cell C4 to
number (required) – the number you wish to round 2 digits
num_digits – the number of digits which you wish to round the
number argument to.

Log =LOG(number,[base]) Returns the logarithm of a =LOG(J11,2) – if the number

number of the base you specify in cell J11 was 8, returns a
number (required) – the positive real number for which you want the logarithm of 8 with base 2 (ie 3)
logarithm

base (optional) – base of the logarithm. Note - if base is omitted it is

assumed to be 10.

NPV =NPV(rate,value1,[value2],…) Calculates the net present value =NPV(0.1,B12:E12) – discount

of an investment based on a values in cells B12-E12 at a
rate (required) – the discount rate given as a decimal supplied discount rate and a discount rate of 10%, with B12
value1 (required) – the item, cell reference, or range you want to series of future cash flows. being Year 1
discount cash flows within.

value2,… (required) - additional numbers, cell references or ranges

to be discounted.

IRR =IRR(values,[guess]) =IRR(B15:F15,0.12) – calculates

Calculates the internal rate of the internal rate of return of
values (required) – the range of cash flows for which you want the return for a series of cash flows. cells B15-F15 using 0.12 as an
internal rate of return. estimate, with B15 being Year 0.
guess (optional) – a rate you think is close to the result of the IRR
given as a decimal.

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CBE GUIDANCE – STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL)

Function Syntax Description Example formulae

Natural log =LN(number) Returns the natural logarithm of =LN(B5) – if the number in cell
a number B5 was 1, returns the natural
number (required) – the positive real number for which you want the logarithym of 1 (ie 0)
natural logarithm

e =EXP(number) Returns the constant e raised to =EXP(D7) – if the number in cell

the power of a given number D7 was 2, returns e raised to the
number (required) – the number for which you want the constant e to power of 2 (ie 7.3891)
be raised to the power of

Cumulative =NORMDIST(number) Returns N(d), the cumulative =NORMSDIST(G13) – if the

normal normal distribution functions number in cell G13 was 1.4,
distribution number (required) – the number for which you want the cumulativve needed for the Black-Scholes returns the cumulative normal
normal distribution model of option pricing distribution for 1.4 (ie 0.9192)

MIRR =MIRR(values,finance_rate,reinvest_rate) Calculates the modified internal =MIRR(B25:F25,0.12,0.12) –

rate of return for a series of cash calculates the modified internal
values (required) –– the range of cash flows for which you want the flows. rate of return of cells B15–F15
modified internal rate of return using 0.12 as the finance rate
The finance and reinvestment and the reinvestment rate, with
finance_rate (required) – the rate used on the cash outflows rates will usually be same rate – B25 being Year 0
reinvest_rate (required) – the rate used on the cash inflows the cost of capital

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 STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL) – CBE GUIDANCE

Exam functionality explained

NAVIGATION
• The case study number you are viewing is displayed in the top display bar. This
exam will display ‘1 of 1’ as it contains only one case study.
• You can navigate between screens by selecting or . As this exam
contains only one case study, you should note that if you select from the
workspace, you will be taken to the Item Review Screen.
• You can change your answers at any time during the exam.

FLAG FOR REVIEW

• If you wish to revisit/review the case study later in the exam, click .
As this exam only contains one case study you are unlikely to use this feature.
• Click the button again to remove the flag.

HELP FEATURE
• Click to access:
– A copy of the exam instructions.
– Help and guidance on the workspace.

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CBE GUIDANCE – STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL)

CALCULATOR
• You have the option to use the
on-screen standard or scientific
calculators by selecting .
Note that most students choose to
bring their own calculator to the live
exam – this is permitted, providing it
does not have the facility to store or
display text.

WORKINGS/SCRATCH PAD
• You may use an on-screen Scratch
Pad to make notes/workings by
selecting .
• You can cut and copy text from the
Scratch Pad and paste into your
response options using the Ctrl-C
(Copy), Ctrl-X (Cut) and Ctrl-V
(Paste) shortcuts, or the on-screen
buttons. Note: When pasting into
a spreadsheet response you must
double-click the cell or select the
formula bar.
• The Scratch Pad retains all notes/
workings entered and these are
available for the duration of the
exam. They will not be submitted for Important:
marking after your live exam. The notes/workings entered onto
the Scratch Pad or your workings
• You will also be provided with paper
paper during the live exam will not
for notes/workings for your live exam,
be marked.
should you prefer to use it. This will
not be submitted for marking. It will If you want the marker to see any
be collected at the end of the exam notes/workings for tasks in the live
and must not be removed from the exam you must show them within
exam room. the relevant response options.

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 STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL (SBL) – CBE GUIDANCE

SYMBOL
• You can add a selection of currency
symbols to your answers by selecting
on the top toolbar.

NAVIGATOR SCREEN
• Navigator can be accessed at any
time during the exam by selecting
.
• This screen allows you to jump to any
case study in the exam. As this exam
only contains one case study, you are
unlikely to use this feature.
• It also allows you to see the status
of the case study and whether it has
been viewed, attempted or flagged ENDING THE EXAM
for review. • Click at the bottom of – You can revisit the case study by
workspace. selecting the case study number
from this screen.
• This takes you to the Item Review
screen: – Once you have completed your
item review and wish to finally end
Item Review screen
the exam click from
– This screen gives you a final
the Item Review screen.
opportunity to see the flag and
attempted status of the case study • Once you end the exam, you cannot
and to review your answers before revisit the case study.
you exit the exam.

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