The ACCA SBL pass rate was 51% in June 2026 and 52% in March 2026. Since SBL launched in September 2018 it has ranged from 45% to 53%, averaging 49.9% across 31 sittings. The pass mark is 50 out of 100.
SBL pass rate history
Every SBL pass rate published by ACCA since the exam launched (source: ACCA pass rates):
| Exam sitting | SBL pass rate |
|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | 51% |
| Mar 2026 | 52% |
| Dec 2025 | 50% |
| Sep 2025 | 51% |
| Jun 2025 | 51% |
| Mar 2025 | 53% |
| Dec 2024 | 51% |
| Sep 2024 | 53% |
| Jun 2024 | 52% |
| Mar 2024 | 52% |
| Dec 2023 | 52% |
| Sep 2023 | 50% |
| Jun 2023 | 51% |
| Mar 2023 | 50% |
| Dec 2022 | 49% |
| Sep 2022 | 49% |
| Jun 2022 | 50% |
| Mar 2022 | 50% |
| Dec 2021 | 51% |
| Sep 2021 | 51% |
| Jun 2021 | 46% |
| Mar 2021 | 50% |
| Dec 2020 | 49% |
| Sep 2020 | 51% |
| Mar 2020 | 47% |
| Dec 2019 | 46% |
| Sep 2019 | 49% |
| Jun 2019 | 51% |
| Mar 2019 | 46% |
| Dec 2018 | 48% |
| Sep 2018 | 45% |
ACCA marks the September 2020 and March 2020 figures with an asterisk, and there is no June 2020 figure.
What the numbers tell you
- The rate is very stable. Since 2021 it has stayed between 49% and 53%, apart from 46% in June 2021. The exam's difficulty has not changed much.
- About half of candidates fail. That is rarely because they have not seen the theory. It is because they do not apply it to the case, run out of time or miss the professional skills marks.
- It compares well. In June 2026, SBL (51%) beat SBR (47%), AFM (47%), ATX (47%), APM (42%) and AAA (39%).
How to be in the half that passes
- Know every core model well enough to choose one in seconds. Start with our SBL models guide.
- Do at least two full timed mocks on the ACCA practice platform. See SBL past papers.
- Use the pre-seen to understand the business, not to guess the questions.
- Answer in the format asked, for the person named, using facts from the case.
FAQs
What is the latest SBL pass rate?
51% for the June 2026 sitting, published by ACCA.
What is the average SBL pass rate?
49.9% across all 31 sittings from September 2018 to June 2026, and 51.5% across the last eight sittings.
Is SBL harder than other Strategic Professional exams?
No. SBL usually has one of the higher pass rates at Strategic Professional level. In June 2026 SBL was 51%, against 47% for SBR and AFM, 42% for APM and 39% for AAA.
What is the SBL pass mark?
50 out of 100.