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ACA Professional Level: Business Planning: Taxation Practice Test

25 questions available

Retirement scheduled

This exam retires on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

ICAEW lists Fundamental Case Study as a related current path, not a direct replacement; a practice exam for it is not available yet.

The ACA Professional Level: Business Planning: Taxation Practice Test is a focused assessment designed for candidates pursuing the ICAEW Chartered Accountant qualification. This exam tests your ability to apply core UK tax principles to realistic business scenarios, with an emphasis on planning and decision-making. It covers Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for individuals and companies, Corporation Tax, Income Tax and National Insurance for owner-managed businesses, Stamp Taxes and other indirect taxes, and Value Added Tax (VAT). The test requires you to compute tax liabilities, identify reliefs and exemptions, and advise on tax-efficient structures. It is intended for trainees who have completed the Certificate Level and are progressing toward the Professional Level. By taking this practice test, you will gain confidence in applying technical knowledge under timed conditions, improve your ability to interpret complex tax rules, and develop the analytical skills needed to advise clients or employers on tax planning. The content mirrors the style and difficulty of the actual ACA exam, making it an essential tool for final preparation.

Certification exam
3 hours 30 minutes Time Limit
Professional Level
Practice bank
25 Practice Questions
25 minutes Practice Time
Start Practice
The bar to clear 55 Official passing score. Aim higher in practice before you book.
Official objectives from ICAEW
ICAEW25 practice questionsBlueprint 1.0Bank updated 2026-07-22

Sample Questions

Try a few questions to see what the full exam is like.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

A business supplies goods in a barter transaction. How should the VAT tax value of the supply be determined?

Value Added Tax (VAT)

After a VAT rate change, a business receives a supplier invoice charging VAT at the old rate. At what rate should it reclaim input tax?

Value Added Tax (VAT)

For VAT purposes, goods are supplied on sale or return terms and the customer has not adopted them. Who owns the goods during that period?

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Until a customer adopts goods supplied on sale or return, what right does the customer normally have?

Value Added Tax (VAT)

A customer pays partly in cash and partly by part exchange. Which VAT valuation approach is normally required?

Why This Certification Opens Doors

Tax planning directly impacts business profitability, cash flow, and compliance risk. In practice, a miscalculation of CGT on a share sale or an incorrect VAT treatment can cost a client thousands in penalties or missed reliefs. This practice test bridges the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world application. It trains you to think like a tax adviser, evaluating options such as incorporation relief, entrepreneurs' relief, or group relief for companies. Mastery of these topics is not just about passing an exam; it is about delivering accurate, strategic advice that helps businesses minimise tax liabilities legally. For owner-managed businesses, understanding the interplay between Income Tax, National Insurance, and dividend taxation is critical for structuring remuneration. This test ensures you can handle these decisions with precision.

These are the backgrounds the certifying body suggests. Check the vendor's own page for anything it formally requires.

Exam Blueprint

Each domain is weighted to match the real certification exam, so a full practice simulation predicts your result.

01Corporation Tax
35%
02Income Tax and National Insurance (for owner-managed businesses)
20%
03Value Added Tax (VAT)
20%
04Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for individuals and companies
15%
05Stamp Taxes and Other Taxes
10%

Exam Details BPT | 3 hours 30 minutes

Exam Code BPT
Vendor ICAEW
Passing Score 55
Time Limit 3 hours 30 minutes
Question TypesMultiple Choice (Certificate Level), Written (Professional and Advanced Level)
Retake Policy Exams are offered in March/June/September/December windows. Students may attempt each paper multiple times; full fee required for each attempt. No maximum attempt limit, but progress reviews apply under training contract rules.
Exam Format Computer-based (Certificate Level); Written paper (Professional and Advanced Level)
Available In
English

Study Resources

ICAEW Learning Materials (ICAEW VITAL)
ICAEWFree
Official ICAEW study manuals, question banks, and mock exams available via ICAEW's online learning platform (VITAL).
View

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this practice test different from the real ACA exam?

This practice test mirrors the real exam in format, question style, and topic coverage. However, it is a standalone tool for self-assessment and does not include the full breadth of the live exam. Use it to gauge your readiness and identify areas needing further study.

Do I need to memorise all tax rates and thresholds?

Yes, for the real exam you are expected to know key rates and thresholds (e.g., CGT annual exempt amount, Corporation Tax rates, VAT registration threshold). This practice test assumes you have that knowledge. However, some complex reliefs or allowances may be provided in the question.

What if I get a question wrong on the practice test?

Treat errors as learning opportunities. Review the correct answer and the reasoning behind it. Focus on understanding why a particular relief applies or why a calculation step was necessary. This will deepen your understanding more than simply memorising the correct number.

How should I time myself for this 25-question test?

Allocate approximately 2.5 to 3 minutes per question, giving you a total of about 60 to 75 minutes. This simulates the pace of the real exam. If a question takes longer, move on and return to it if time permits.

Are there any topics I should prioritise?

Focus on areas that commonly appear in integrated scenarios: CGT reliefs (entrepreneurs' relief, holdover relief), Corporation Tax computations (including capital allowances and group relief), VAT partial exemption, and the tax implications of extracting profits from an owner-managed business. These are high-weight topics.