STUDY TIPS FOR YOUR CPA/ACCA EXAM.

Passing A CPA/ACCA exam doesn't come on a silver plate and therefore you have continue strategizing and working hard towards your success.

As usual we are here to give you some free guidance based on our knowledge as your tutors but also former CPA/ACCA Scholars that went through the same Journey like you successfully.

#Preparing to study- Set your objectives??

Before starting to study decide what type of pass you wish to obtain. If you are working for a 50%, it is likely that you will get a 40 or a 30.. 

It is better to work for an 80% so that if all doesn’t go well, at least you can get a 60 or worst case a 50 something as the saying goes “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” ???????

Deciding on the grade you want will decide the level of commitment and time you need to dedicate to your studies. Every prize winner you see doesn’t just earn the marks, they honestly put in a lot of hard work to earn those good marks... am not saying everyone should be a prize winner but work for a mark you will earn and be confident about. You don’t have to keep backing up explanation for each low mark on your CPA /ACCA transcript.

#Devise a study plan??

Determine which times of the week you will study. Split these times into sessions of at least one hour for study of new material. Any shorter periods could be used for revision or practice.

Put the times you plan to study onto a study plan for the weeks from now until the exam and set yourself targets for each period of study in your sessions make sure you cover the course, course assignments and revision.

If you are studying for more than one paper at a time, try to vary your subjects as this can help you to keep interested and see subjects as part of wider knowledge. When working through your strategy, compare your progress with your plan and, if necessary, replan your work (perhaps including extra sessions) or, if you are ahead, do some extra revision/practice questions.

I understand that most of you are employed and this may be challenge to be committed to your study plan but try your best because you don’t have an option but to design means.

#Effective reading??????????

You are not expected to learn the text by rote, rather, you must understand what you are reading and be able to use it to pass the exam and develop good practice. A good technique to use is SQ3Rs – Survey, Question, Read, Recall, Review:

Using the CPA /ACCA Syllabus or the study kit as your guidance, you may also find it helpful to reread the chapter to try to see the topic(s) it deals with as a whole.

(1) #Survey the chapter – look at the headings and read the introduction, summary and objectives, so as to get an overview of what the chapter deals with.

(2) #Question – whilst undertaking the survey, ask yourself the questions that you hope the chapter will answer for you. Read through the chapter thoroughly, answering the questions and making sure you can meet the objectives. Attempt the exercises and activities in the text, and work through all the examples.

(4) #Recall – at the end of each section and at the end of the chapter, try to recall the main ideas of the section/chapter without referring to the text. This is best done after a short break of a couple of minutes after the reading stage.

(5) #Review – check that your recall notes are correct.

You may also find it helpful to reread the chapter to try to see the topic(s) it deals with as a whole.

Last for now, you must review the CPA/ACCA Syllabus for the papers you are preparing for to make sure you are making progress with the classes you are attending.

Review the topics you have covered so far and make sure you understand well the content and start practicing past paper exam questions and where you have a challenge, reach out to your tutor or friends in your discussion group as well as your classmates. Don’t read alone as this will leave you with only your ideas. Reading with other people so you can learn from others.

DON’T wait for the last month to start reading as this is a time you should be summarizing rather than starting to read!

Samuel Ibanda,

Finance and Tax Specialist | CPA Tutor @Achievers Professional Trainers | Career Coach.