TAR UMT Students Excel with Top Scores in ACCA September 2025 Exams
They achieved the Top in Malaysia title for the Advanced Taxation and the Strategic Business Leader papers.
Published 09 Dec 2025
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) students continue to shine on the professional stage, with two outstanding achievers making their mark in the ACCA September 2025 examination session. This round saw remarkable performances from Ng Yew Sheng and Lai Xin Hong, who each secured the Top in Malaysia title for their respective ACCA papers.
Ng Yew Sheng, a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) programme, clinched the top national spot for the Advanced Taxation (ATX-MYS) paper. This is not his first major achievement, as he had previously ranked Top in Malaysia for the Strategic Business Leader (SBL) paper. Reflecting on the news, he shared, “When I first heard the news, I was honestly overwhelmed. ATX is known to be a very technical and demanding paper, and even students who prepare well sometimes struggle during the exam itself. To be recognised again at a national level was something I did not expect, and it gave me a renewed sense of motivation in working towards ACCA membership.”
To reach this milestone, Yew Sheng focused on building a strong foundation before anything else. He relied on the Brierley, Price and Prior (BPP) textbook, lecturer notes and tutorial questions to master the technical content. Beyond that, he spent significant time analysing examiner feedback and practising past papers under timed conditions. Understanding the application and not just relying on memorisation was his guiding principle. “ATX is not about memorising tax laws, but understanding how to apply them in practical scenarios. So, I focused on learning the logic behind each tax rule and how different situations interact,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, he pushed through the toughest parts of the syllabus, especially scenarios that combine multiple tax areas. “I overcame this through repetition, practising question after question until I could identify tax treatments more instinctively. It took patience, but it paid off.”
Equally impressive is the achievement of Lai Xin Hong from the Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) programme, who emerged Top in Malaysia for the Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) paper. His study strategy was refreshingly straightforward — lots of practice and continuous self-evaluation. Using the Computer-Based Exam (CBE) platform, he attempted multiple past-year questions and compared his answers with ACCA model solutions to identify areas for improvement. Instead of relying on memorisation, he focused on understanding recurring key topics.
Like many students, he found certain areas especially tough. “The most challenging topic for me in SBR was leases, especially when presented in complex scenarios. Even when I wasn’t fully certain of the requirements during the exam, I made sure to write down the fundamental principles rather than leave the answer blank. You never know where you might pick up marks,” he shared.
Balancing classes, revision and personal commitments required discipline, which he maintained through daily task lists and consistent routines. “Staying consistent helped me manage everything without unnecessary stress,” he said.
For future ACCA candidates, his advice is practical and encouraging. “Never spend too long on one question,” he reminded, “practice past year papers on the CBE platform and read ACCA’s technical articles as the materials contain clear explanations on difficult concepts. Most importantly, always try to understand the logic behind the standards.”
The achievements of both Yew Sheng and Xin Hong highlight the power of consistent practice, strong fundamentals and a deep understanding of the syllabus. Their journeys offer valuable inspiration to fellow ACCA students striving for excellence.
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Amelia Ho
Always wandering, always wondering.
