When will the Next Generation ACA learning materials be available to purchase?
Certificate Level: The learning materials for the Certificate Level exams will be ready to purchase via the ICAEW Bookshelf from June 2025 except for Fundamentals of Tax which will be available in October 2025.
Professional Level: The Professional Level learning materials will be available in October 2025.
For more details, see the production schedule.
When will the Next Generation ACA Advanced Level learning materials be available?
The learning materials for the Next Generation Advanced Level will be available at the end of 2026, ahead of the first exam sitting in July 2027.
For more details, see the production schedule.
When will the new syllabus be ready?
The new syllabus is available here and will be updated annually.
Will I still purchase my books as a bundle of learning materials?
No, learning materials and permitted texts must now be purchased separately. These are digital learning materials and can be purchased via the bookstore.
To find out what books we recommend, please visit icaew.com/examtexts.
Do I need a new login to purchase Next Generation ACA materials?
No, all our existing and Next Generation ACA learning materials will be available under the same bookstore.
If a student has existing ACA learning materials on their bookshelf, can they still view their Next Generation ACA materials alongside these?
Yes, students will still use their ICAEW Bookshelf associated with their ICAEW student number, so any learning materials they purchase or redeem under this account will appear in the same bookshelf.
What Next Generation ACA exams will feature permitted texts?
For more information on permitted texts, head to icaew.com/examtexts.
What exams will be open book?
This means students can use any hard copy material during their exam and will also have access to their ICAEW Bookshelf within the exam.
If a student has sat their Certificate Level exams in 2025, what version of the ACA should they follow?
Students sitting their Certificate Level exams throughout 2025 are recommended to move to the Next Generation ACA for their Professional Level exams. For more information on transitional arrangements, click here.
If a student is sitting an existing ACA Certificate or Professional Level exam in 2026, what learning materials should they use?
The existing learning materials that are currently available for 2025 will roll forward to current ACA exams in 2026, so they should use these for existing ACA exams.
If students are sitting a Next Generation ACA exam in 2026, they should use the Next Generation ACA learning materials.
If a student has the existing ACA learning materials on their bookshelf, can they use them for the equivalent exam instead of purchasing the new learning materials?
No, if students are sitting a Next Generation ACA exam, they must use the relevant Next Generation ACA learning materials.
If a student is sitting an Advanced Level exam in 2026, what learning materials should they use?
Students should use the 2026 existing ACA Advanced Level learning materials; these can be purchased under the existing ACA section of the bookstore and will be available at the end of 2025. This covers the content for Case Study, Corporate Reporting and Strategic Business Management.
If a student has existing ACA learning materials, are they eligible for a free upgrade to gain Next Generation learning materials?
No, as these are separate products – students will need to purchase the relevant learning materials for their exam.
If a student fails their existing ACA exam and transition on to Next Generation ACA exams, will they get free copies of the new materials?
No, students moving onto the Next Generation ACA will need to purchase the relevant learning materials for the exam they are sitting.
I am a Level 4 Apprenticeship student, what learning materials should I use for my exam?
Students should continue using the ACA Certificate Level / ICAEW CFAB materials as well as the Level 4 Apprenticeship materials.