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100+ Free CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Practice Questions

Pass your CAPE Accounting Unit 1 — Financial Accounting (Caribbean Examinations Council, CXC) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Exam

45 items

Paper 01 has 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, 15 from each Module

CXC CAPE Accounting Syllabus CXC A8/U2/22, Outline of Assessment

1 hour 30 minutes

Time allowed for CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Paper 01

CXC CAPE Accounting Syllabus, Paper 01

30%

Paper 01's contribution to the Unit 1 grade

CXC CAPE Accounting Syllabus, Outline of Assessment

3 Modules

Theory/Recording/Control; Preparation of Financial Statements; Financial Reporting and Interpretation

CXC CAPE Accounting Syllabus, Structure of the Syllabus

80% / 20%

Split between external written papers and School-Based Assessment (or Paper 032)

CXC CAPE Accounting Syllabus, Outline of Assessment

IFRS for SMEs 2015

Basis used in the syllabus for principles and presentation of financial statements

CXC CAPE Accounting Syllabus CXC A8/U2/22

150 hours

Guided learning hours intended for Unit 1 across its three Modules

CXC CAPE Accounting Syllabus / subject page

100

Free original practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

CAPE Accounting Unit 1 (Financial Accounting) is set by the Caribbean Examinations Council and covers three Modules: Accounting Theory, Recording and Control Systems; Preparation of Financial Statements; and Financial Reporting and Interpretation. Paper 01 is a compulsory multiple-choice paper of 45 four-option items, 15 from each Module, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 30% of the Unit grade. Paper 02 (three compulsory questions) is 50% and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 is 20%. Results are reported as Grades I–VII rather than a simple pass mark, and silent non-programmable calculators are allowed (not financial calculators). This 100-question bank gives original CAPE-level multiple-choice practice across all three Modules.

Sample CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CAPE Accounting Unit 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which statement best describes the primary purpose of financial accounting?
A.To record, summarise and communicate economic events of an entity to external users using established principles and standards
B.To prepare tax returns for the revenue authority only
C.To set selling prices based on contribution margins
D.To provide detailed cost analyses for internal managers only
Explanation: Financial accounting focuses on recording, summarising and communicating economic events of entities based on established principles, standards and legislation for external users such as investors and creditors.
2Under the accrual basis of accounting, revenue is generally recognised when:
A.Cash is received from the customer
B.It is earned, regardless of when cash is received
C.The invoice is printed by the accounting software
D.The owners decide to declare a dividend
Explanation: Accrual accounting recognises revenue when it is earned (and expenses when incurred), not necessarily when cash changes hands. Cash-basis accounting recognises revenue when cash is received.
3The CAPE Accounting syllabus uses which framework as the basis for applying principles and presenting financial statements?
A.Tax basis accounting under local income-tax law only
B.US GAAP only
C.IFRS for SMEs (2015)
D.IPSAS for governments only
Explanation: The CAPE Accounting syllabus (CXC A8/U2/22) states that International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) 2015 is used as the basis for application of principles and presentation of financial statements.
4Which qualitative characteristic means that information can influence users' economic decisions by helping them evaluate past, present or future events?
A.Verifiability only
B.Consistency only
C.Comparability
D.Relevance
Explanation: Relevance means accounting information is capable of making a difference in users' decisions, including confirmatory or predictive value. Comparability and consistency help users identify similarities and differences over time or across entities.
5The accounting principle that requires expenses to be recognised in the same period as the related revenues is called the:
A.Matching principle
B.Monetary unit principle
C.Entity principle
D.Going concern principle
Explanation: The matching principle requires that expenses be recognised in the period in which the related revenues are earned, so that profit reflects the net result of that period's activity.
6Which element of financial statements represents residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all its liabilities?
A.Revenue
B.Equity
C.Expense
D.Contingent asset
Explanation: Equity is the residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all liabilities. It appears in the Statement of Financial Position and changes through the Statement of Changes in Equity.
7A company purchases office equipment for cash. The correct double-entry is:
A.Debit Capital; Credit Equipment
B.Debit Cash; Credit Equipment
C.Debit Equipment; Credit Cash
D.Debit Equipment expense; Credit Accounts payable
Explanation: Buying equipment for cash increases an asset (debit Equipment) and decreases another asset (credit Cash). The equipment is capitalised, not immediately expensed, when it meets the definition of an asset.
8Which of the following is a capital reserve rather than a revenue reserve?
A.General reserve created by appropriation of profits
B.Dividend equalisation reserve
C.Retained earnings from trading profits
D.Share premium arising on issue of shares above par
Explanation: Share premium (capital surplus on issue above par) is a capital reserve and is subject to restrictions on distribution. Retained earnings and appropriated profit reserves are revenue reserves.
9When a company issues shares at par for cash, the journal entry typically:
A.Debits Cash and credits Share capital
B.Debits Retained earnings and credits Cash
C.Debits Cash and credits Revenue
D.Debits Share capital and credits Cash
Explanation: Issuing shares for cash increases assets (debit Cash) and increases equity (credit Share capital at par). Share issues are not recorded as revenue.
10An internal control procedure that requires two authorised signatures on cheques above a set amount primarily strengthens control over:
A.Inventory obsolescence
B.Cash disbursements
C.Depreciation estimates
D.Revenue recognition timing
Explanation: Dual signatures on large cheques are a cash disbursement control that reduces the risk of unauthorised payments. Inventory, depreciation and revenue recognition need different controls.

About the CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Exam

CAPE Accounting Unit 1, titled Financial Accounting, is the first of two independent Units in the Caribbean Examinations Council's Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination in Accounting. It comprises three Modules: Module 1 Accounting Theory, Recording and Control Systems; Module 2 Preparation of Financial Statements; and Module 3 Financial Reporting and Interpretation. The Unit applies International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) 2015 and is assessed by two external written papers and a school-based project (or Paper 032 for private candidates). Paper 01 is a compulsory multiple-choice paper of 45 items, 15 from each Module, sat in 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 30% of the Unit. CAPE Accounting is pitched at post-16, GCE A-Level standard and supports further study and careers in accounting and finance across the Caribbean.

Assessment

Paper 01: 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, 15 from each of the three Modules, each worth 1 mark (45 marks weighted to 90; 30% of the Unit). Paper 02: three compulsory questions, one per Module (2 hours 45 minutes; 50%). School-Based Assessment Paper 031 or private-candidate Paper 032 (20%).

Time Limit

Paper 01 is 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). Paper 02 is 2 hours 45 minutes. Paper 032 (private candidates) is 2 hours.

Passing Score

No fixed pass mark. CAPE results are reported as Grades I to VII (Grade I highest), combining external papers (80%) and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (20%). Paper 01 alone contributes 30% of the Unit grade.

Exam Fee

CAPE subject-entry fees are set by CXC and collected by each territory's Local Registrar. For 2026 sittings a common published scale is about USD $29.00 per CAPE Unit (subject) plus a one-time CAPE candidate entry of about USD $20.25; local levies may apply. Confirm with your school or registrar. (Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC))

CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Exam Content Outline

33%

Module 1: Accounting Theory, Recording and Control Systems

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include the nature and scope of financial accounting and the accounting cycle; cash versus accrual bases; IFRS for SMEs and the conceptual framework (qualitative characteristics, elements, principles); double-entry journal entries for investments, long-term liabilities, share issues and redemptions, and capital/revenue reserves; internal controls over inventory, cash, receivables and payables; internal versus external auditors; ethics (confidentiality, objectivity, integrity, conflicts of interest); and technology and EDP controls in accounting systems.

33%

Module 2: Preparation of Financial Statements

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include forms of business organisation (sole trader, partnership, company, cooperative, NGO); private, public and statutory corporations; preparation of the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity and Statement of Financial Position using IFRS for SMEs; incomplete records (control accounts, statements of affairs, error correction); income and expenditure accounts for non-profits; partnership admission, retirement and dissolution; purchase/incorporation of an unincorporated business; shareholders' equity and capital raising/repayment; and corporation tax on net income.

34%

Module 3: Financial Reporting and Interpretation

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include social and ethical issues in reporting (CSR, window dressing); inflation effects and current cost/fair value alternatives; provisions, contingent liabilities/assets and events after the reporting period (IFRS for SMEs Sections 21 and 32); published financial statement presentation and notes; Statement of Cash Flows by the indirect method; liquidity, solvency, activity and profitability ratios; significance and limitations of financial statements; vertical and horizontal analysis; and distinguishing liquidation from receivership.

How to Pass the CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No fixed pass mark. CAPE results are reported as Grades I to VII (Grade I highest), combining external papers (80%) and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (20%). Paper 01 alone contributes 30% of the Unit grade.
  • Assessment: Paper 01: 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, 15 from each of the three Modules, each worth 1 mark (45 marks weighted to 90; 30% of the Unit). Paper 02: three compulsory questions, one per Module (2 hours 45 minutes; 50%). School-Based Assessment Paper 031 or private-candidate Paper 032 (20%).
  • Time limit: Paper 01 is 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). Paper 02 is 2 hours 45 minutes. Paper 032 (private candidates) is 2 hours.
  • Exam fee: CAPE subject-entry fees are set by CXC and collected by each territory's Local Registrar. For 2026 sittings a common published scale is about USD $29.00 per CAPE Unit (subject) plus a one-time CAPE candidate entry of about USD $20.25; local levies may apply. Confirm with your school or registrar.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Map revision to the three Modules and Specific Objectives; Paper 01 draws 15 items from each Module, so skipping a Module is risky.
2For Module 1, drill double-entry journal entries for investments, long-term liabilities, shares and reserves, and link each control objective (cash, inventory, receivables, payables) to a practical control procedure.
3For Module 2, practise preparing SCI, SOCE and SOFP extracts under IFRS for SMEs, and work incomplete-records and partnership change questions with neat workings.
4For Module 3, memorise the standard ratio formulae (current, acid-test, gearing, inventory/receivables turnover, margins, ROCE) and practise the indirect-method cash flow bridge from profit to cash.
5Expect both conceptual and computational MCQs; at least fifteen Paper 01 items are conceptual and the rest require calculation from given data.
6Time yourself at about two minutes per question to match the 90-minute, 45-item pace, and flag hard items to return to rather than stalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Paper 01?

Paper 01 has 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, with 15 drawn from each of the three Modules. Each item is worth 1 mark (45 marks, weighted to 90).

How long is CAPE Accounting Unit 1 Paper 01?

Paper 01 lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). Paper 02 is separate and lasts 2 hours 45 minutes.

What does CAPE Accounting Unit 1 cover?

Unit 1 is Financial Accounting and covers three Modules: Accounting Theory, Recording and Control Systems; Preparation of Financial Statements; and Financial Reporting and Interpretation. Knowledge of the entire Unit is expected on Paper 01.

How is CAPE Accounting Unit 1 graded?

There is no simple pass mark. Results are reported on a grade scale from Grade I (highest) to Grade VII, combining external papers (80%) and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (20%). Paper 01 contributes 30% of the Unit grade; Paper 02 contributes 50%.

Can I use a calculator on CAPE Accounting Unit 1?

Yes. Silent non-programmable calculators are allowed. Financial calculators are not allowed.

Are these official CXC practice questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions modelled on the CAPE Accounting Unit 1 syllabus and Paper 01 format. CXC publishes official syllabuses, specimen papers and past papers separately through cxc.org and the CXC Store.