How I Cleared SBL without any classes
and scored 81 Marks - Harsh Sharma
In ACCA every exam has its own uniqueness and examination technique. The Strategic Business
Leadership (SBL) is one the most unique and interesting papers in the ACCA qualification.
Before diving into the study technique, let’s start with the end of the preparation—that is, the exam
structure, exam technique, and how I managed my prep in the final days.
The Pre-Seen Material
💡 You can access the “PRE-SEEN” Material 2 Weeks before your exam, this is the basic
industry background of the case scenario. The Pre-Seen will not have any hint to what can be
asked, so so don’t fall into the trap of overanalyzing or speculating.
My Strategy for Pre-Seen Material
I did not read the pre-seen until it was just four days for my exam. During that time, I was focusing on
mock tests.
I Read it once, highlighted/noted all important points in the PDF itself. Then I went onto a youtube
video, which would do this pre-seen analysis from an experienced perspective.
For this purpose, I watched the SBL GURU Channel on Youtube, they had a 1 hour video on the pre-
seen, which I watched for once and noted the points which they made.
Further, I used ChatGPT alot, I uploaded the SBL Syllabus pdf from ACCA Website to ChatGPT and
Uploaded the Pre-seen along with it, and Asked ChatGPT to analyse the Pre-Seen in the Context of the
Syllabus. Here is the link to the Chat - https://chatgpt.com/share/68773ee6-4ecc-800b-afda-
046abac3670f
Since the case-study was on a shoe-brand in the shoe-manufacturing industry, I searched on youtube for
interviews or podcasts of an Indian shoe brand, “Neemans”. I watched an one hour podcast with the
founder of “Neemans” to understand the actual Footwear Industry better. This didn’t directly help in the
exam, but it did improve my general understanding of the industry.
💡 Don’t stress too much over the Pre-Seen, It only useful for setting the background of the
company and industry, it is hardly 10% relevant for the actual exam questions.
How I Cleared SBL without any classes and scored 81 Marks - Harsh Sharma 1
Exam Technique
The exam technique in SBL is quite similar to what is expected from you at workplace.
Add value in every sentence.
Don’t repeat a point, unless it is necessary.
Do not copy paste.
A simple rule which I followed in SBL was, if the question is for 10 Marks, I have to make solid 5
points i.e. 2 marks per point which is well explained.
💡 Do not compete with the model answers. You don’t need to reproduce it.
You’ll learn more about the exam technique after giving one or two mocks and reading the Examiner
Report.
Suggested Resources to Learn more about exam technique (click for the links)
https://youtu.be/pl7T4GzBXkk?si=3PvXFB2O_iF317lp
https://youtu.be/o1Dz3QMvBX8?si=aV-MiUJlrRtamKmL
https://youtu.be/na3mhM72u1I?si=U5076SEFldb7wmJq
https://youtu.be/JVwjU4UaLXw?si=UqI3FWLsy52O71ZG
https://youtu.be/tLZDqkkmELk?si=bhilfwbEO2_5oQ55
https://youtu.be/zzZumcojrvo?si=RmF9M68PKBO0Uw-c
💡 Please do read Examiner’s Reports after attempting every Previous Year Question (PYQs) on
the CBE Platform. https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-
resources/professional-exams-study-resources/strategic-business-leader/examiners-
reports1.html
Also Please go through the Step inside the mind of the Marker website.
1. https://stories.accaglobal.com/sbl-task-1/index.html
2. https://stories.accaglobal.com/sbl-task-2/index.html
3. https://stories.accaglobal.com/sbl-task-3/index.html
How I Cleared SBL without any classes and scored 81 Marks - Harsh Sharma 2
The Study Technique
I used an orthodox approach to SBL exam, unlike what I usually suggest for any other exam.
First Resource
I firstly went through alot of Reddit posts about preparing for SBL and also connected with an old friend
who cleared SBL in past. All of them pointed towards on key resource on Youtube. Link to Hassan
Dossani's Top 25.
It is honestly a good starting point for getting an overview of the key SBL topics. I did have a print of
his Top 25 Notes - Link
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WVMh_cX0kI66Fn9WWhESEdi81hQgdM2s
💡 Start with Top 25 Topics Video and Print the Top 25 Notes for easier reference.
Second Resource
ACCA releases Technical Articles for every exam, these are really crisp and insightful. For SBL there
are quite a few Technical Articles. Link https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-
resources/professional-exams-study-resources/strategic-business-leader/technical-articles.html
Just scribble the key ideas from these technical articles into your Top 25 Notes and you’re good to go.
Also, there are quite a few SBL Topic Explainer Videos on ACCA Student Study Resource Channel
Link - https://www.youtube.com/@ACCAStudyResources/videos, I watched all the videos, including
the mock debriefs.
💡 You don’t need the Phd in every topic, all you need is business acumen.
Third Resource
ACCA Study Hub, even though I did not attempt every question available on the study hub. I did about
10-12 Questions on Study Hub, just to get the idea of what kind of answers are required in SBL Exam.
I didn’t use the Study Hub readings or textbooks. Instead, I relied on ChatGPT to explain any concepts I
found confusing.
Just do some questions from the Practice Section (see screenshot below), I would suggest doing more
mock tests rather than these practice questions, because the SBL exam is an integrated exam, not an
isolated exam.
How I Cleared SBL without any classes and scored 81 Marks - Harsh Sharma 3
To Evaluate your answers, just copy paste everything i.e. the question, model answer and your answer
into ChatGPT and then ask ChatGPT to compare your answer with the model Answer. Make notes of
what mistakes you did, and find the balance in answering the requirement.
Fourth Resource
During my daily commute to office or client place or at lunch or dinner, I would listen to SBL Guru
Podcast - Link https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLkioWHd4qGrNUqA8tjPcB0LbA1gCExEgX
These podcasts were insightful, focusing on the real-world business application of concepts, which
helped with both retention and application in the exam.
Mock Exams
Unlike other ACCA exams, where I would recommend reading the Study Kit and solving an Exam Kit,
the SBL exam requires a different approach.
What differentiates SBL is the exam structure, the only way to practice for the exam, is by attempting a
mock test.
I attempted 5 mock exams and strongly recommend that you do the same. Follow the same pattern you
would in the actual exam. I read the Pre-Seen the night before and used ChatGPT to aid my scenario
analysis.
Give the mock test in the morning, self-evaluate it with ChatGPT in the evening, make note of mistakes,
read the examiner report and repeat.
How I Cleared SBL without any classes and scored 81 Marks - Harsh Sharma 4
Further Resources
During the ACCA SBL preparation or even before that, I did read the following books or followed
content which I think can be relevant but not directly related to the ACCA Exam.
1. CA Sarthak Ahuja
a. Follow him on Instagram for his insightful reels
b. Read his book - Daily Coffee and Startup Fundraising
c. Also His Podcast - Founder’s Office https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLGwtR6xwdTZfUpDdNIisVUQmFTWlC8vVz
d. I’m Yet to Read his book - Founder’s Office
2. “Understanding Michael Porter” - By Joan Magretta
A great book on how Michael Porter’s frameworks are actually applied and reflect in the Profit or
Loss account.
Share it with someone, who may need it!
Follow me for more insightful content!
https://www.youtube.com/@berzerk_619 linkedin.com/in/harsh-sharma2014
How I Cleared SBL without any classes and scored 81 Marks - Harsh Sharma 5
