Examine it

One of the tips to help pass exams is choosing the 'right' study strategy. It is the result of devising a plan which takes into account all the challenges you are facing, ensuring that you are focused towards success. It is a two-step approach which consists of study and revision plans.

Study plan

Do make sure that you are having a coherent coverage of the syllabus and the examinable documents published in your student accountant magazine prior to your sittings. Rework your initial study plan if you feel that you will not be meeting the requirements of your studies in time (usually three to four weeks before your exams), by devising new strategies; perhaps by making room for extra study sessions, or organising group workshops with other fellow students facing similar standpoints.

Revision plan

It is worthwhile to point out that revision should be an ongoing exercise, especially after coverage of any new material. The final revision phase aims to ensure that you can apply your knowledge and further develops the essential skills expected from your examiner. Hence the revision plan should ensure that:

• Your personal notes are in a summarised format and the mind maps of each topic are kept handy to act as a useful memory aid.
• You are practicing different types of questions that you may encounter in your examinations.
• You are doing so in examination conditions with special consideration to the 'time factor' (this being the major challenge faced by many candidates).
• Read professional publications which discuss current examinable issues affecting the business world. Re-read all the technical articles published in student accountant magazine (they can be easily downloaded on the ACCA website).
• You learn from your mistakes and also those of others! Examine the markings of your assignments and discuss with your tutor the methods you should adopt to tackle your weak points. Also, read all the previous examiners' comments; they are marvellous sources of information which shed light on what is expected from candidates and the common causes of failure.
• Stress out and focus in: the final revision phase is one the most challenging phases in every student's life. Remember that your sessions will be effective as long as you keep your concentration and energy at optimum levels and that stress is kept to a minimal. Adopting a positive mindset and regular physical exercise can contribute in achieving this balance.

But also…

There is no generic plan, simply because we are studying within different parameters.

Your personalised plan will remain effective as long as it is tracking your progress, and its objectives are ambitious enough to ensure that you are working hard. And remember the harder you work, the nearer will be one the most memorable day of your life: your graduation!

Comments

[Mohammad Huzaifa]

Dear Farrukh

Thank you for your post and no apologies since we are here to support our fellow students and affiliates.

Your previous marks suggest that you have a good grasp of the papers. Studying textbooks was my approach towards knowledge management, especially the core areas of the syllabus. The extra marks which will help toward the pass mark might be gained by reading examiners' reports, recent articles, keeping in touch with financial news, and shaping your examinations skills by practising lots of past questions. Examine the style of answers but bear in mind that it was not written under examination conditions!

My personal experience suggests that all ACCA questions are unique in the sense that they encourage the candidate to think outside the "book", thus proving to be challenging as well as supportive in shaping high calibre professionals.

THERE IS NO "FAILURE" IN ACCA EXAMS, you always succeed in acquiring something new after stepping out the examination hall.

I Wish you all the best and always be positive!

[Farrukh]

Hello Muhammad!

I will be attempting F4,F8, and F9 in December '08.

You might be surprised to know that I have already attempted all these papers once and failed at 47,46,and 46 marks respectively, and I am honestly finding it difficult to go about these papers - I dont know from where to start! Should I memorise or just keep on reading the books? As this is my 2nd attempt of all these papers I am concerned about my results and time as well.....

Please help and suggest a suitable approach to deal with these papers.

I apologise for being so comprehensive, but I have had to be as my problem is very serious!

Looking forward to your reply,
Farrukh

[Asma Faisal]

Thank you for suggesting the article. Surely, knowing the pattern and objective of the paper makes number crunching more tangible.

[Web editor - ACCA]

Hi Asma

student accountant has published an examiner's approach article for Paper F8, which can be downloaded from accaglobal.com: http://www.accaglobal.com/students/publications/student_accountant/archive/2007/74/2902038

I hope this helps.

[Asma Faisal]

To prepare for theoretical subjects, such as auditing (Fundamental Level) what minimum should our study strategy comprise of?

Of course it is ideal that a 20-mark question be attempted in half an hour. However, how long does it usually take in the initial stages? What target should we start from, considering we are not profficient in the subject, and are at the basic level?

Studying for F8 is proving to be a challenge. The situation seems scarier that the subjects ahead (such as P1, P3, P7) are naturally much tougher, requiring a higher degree of knowledge and understanding.

My question is not only what should be our study technique, but also, how should we set about answering case studies.