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ACCA Exam Strategies: 10 Tips for Peak Performance

Clearing the ACCA exams is difficult. On an average 40% students clear ACCA skill level and 30% clear professional level. With some exams having passing percentage below 20%. These Tips for ACCA exam will help you navigate your way to success.

In this blog post we will share the experience of students at A Team Commerce Academy who successfully cleared ACCA papers in one go.

10 Tips for ACCA Exam

We will be sharing 10 tips for peak performance in ACCA exams from experiences of students who made it and our faculty members at A Team Commerce Academy.

1. Have a plan

Failing to plan is planning to fail. It is crucial for every ACCA exam to plan and set deadlines before you start. Crucial tasks you need to set deadlines are course completion, complete practicing questions, first mock tests and final revision before your exams. Maximum students often themselves close to their exams and they have not completed practice for descriptive questions or did not give any mock test. At A Team we help students prepare customized study plans and follow up with them to make sure they stick to it.

2. Early start

Most ACCA students relax for a week or two after the ACCA exam. Successful ACCA students suggest they start their preparation immediately the day after they give their ACCA exam. The sooner you start the more relaxed you would be in the long term considering you barely have 3 months to prepare for your exams.

3. Make summary notes

We recommend students to create notes while they are studying the course for the first time. This helps substantially reduce the revision time and increases retention – as per blog on ACCA website. 15 essential exam and study strategies Here at A Team we ask students to highlight in their books and add short notes to reduce time it takes to prepare these notes.

4. Practice questions daily

ACCA skill level exams have MCQs and descriptive questions. Both require different strategies. Many students spend maximum time preparing for MCQs and fail to practice enough descriptive questions. Besides setting deadlines, you should practice questions daily. At A team we ask students to divide time and practice both types of questions in the second month of their preparation. As they would in the actual ACCA exam.

5. Mock Tests

Mock tests are crucial to help you navigate through ACCA exams. Giving these mock tests well in advance helps you understand the level of your preparation and missing elements you need to work on. We at A Team schedule mock tests three weeks in advance so that students have enough time and guidance to work on their weaknesses. A second mock test a week before the exam should help gain confidence and familiarity. You can ofcourse give more mock tests if time permits.

6. Clear your doubts

Always write down your doubts. Students either don’t ask their doubts or forget they had them. Close to exams you cannot afford to lack conceptual clarity. We encourage and follow up with our students to write down and ask doubts. At A Team our learning Management System allows students to save their doubts digitally. Thus, making sure our faculties follow up and ensure everything is clear.

7. Technical Articles

ACCA publishes technical articles that help students to understand concepts better, know how to write answers and case studies to practice. Many times ACCA publishes updates just before the exam. Make sure not to miss these updates as they more often than not show up in ACCA exam as a case study.

8. Practice Drafting descriptive questions

Most students struggle to write descriptive questions in the exams. Students write long answers or use bookish language rather than customizing their answers. Resulting in incomplete papers or their exams getting nullified all together. Take guidance and make sure to learn how the answers need to be drafted for success. We have done podcasts with students who got world rank and they swear to work on their drafting skills to write perfect answers scoring 90% and above in ACCA exam.

9. Time Management

Usually the first mock tests never get finished in time. Even world rank holders claim they never finished their first mock tests in time. That is why you need to set timers and practice completing papers in a given time. So that you never get a single mark due to incomplete paper.

10. Mental health

Finally, no amount of preparation is complete if you are not at full health. Students usually sacrifice sleep and even food while preparing for their exams. To perform well in exams we at A Team ask students to complete their preparation in time and correct their sleep cycle before they appear for their exams.

Conclusion

We at A Team understand it may be difficult for ACCA students to execute all these tips perfectly every time. We recommend seeking guidance whenever you feel overwhelmed. Our faculties support a positive environment and proper guidance to make sure all our students are clear. Students at A Team Commerce academy are able to leave study plans, mock test schedules and doubt clearing on autopilot and focus on what’s important. Due to our 15 students to 1 teacher ratio we are able to help students achieve their goals faster.

FAQs

Why is having a plan important for ACCA exam success?

Without a plan, students may find themselves unprepared close to the exam date and that’s where panic sets in. A calm mind has better chances to succeed.

How soon should I start preparing for ACCA exams?

It's advisable to start preparing immediately after finishing a previous exam. Early preparation allows for a more relaxed and comprehensive study schedule, especially considering the limited time available, typically around three months.

How can summary notes help with ACCA exam preparation?

Summary notes streamline revision by condensing essential information. They not only save time but also aid in retaining key concepts.

Why is it important to practice both MCQs and descriptive questions daily?

ACCA skill exams include both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and descriptive questions, each requiring different strategies. Neglecting practice in either type of question can lead to inadequate preparation. Daily practice ensures proficiency in both formats, mimicking the actual exam experience.

How beneficial are mock tests in ACCA exam preparation?

Mock tests are invaluable for assessing exam readiness, identifying weak areas, and gaining familiarity with exam conditions. Scheduling mock tests well in advance allows sufficient time for improvement based on feedback. Regular practice through mock tests enhances confidence and performance on the exam day.

How can I increase my chances of passing the ACCA with ease?

Plan your study, start your preparation early and take regular mock tests. Seeking guidance can help you understand or see what you yourself cannot evaluate. Sometimes we are biased and give ourselves good marks in mock tests. Better an expert check your papers.

What are some effective strategies for preparing for the ACCA exam?

Effective strategies for preparing for the ACCA exam, as suggested in the blog post, include:
Creating a detailed study plan with set deadlines for course completion, practice, and revision.
Starting preparation immediately after completing a previous exam to utilize time efficiently.
Making summary notes while studying to reduce revision time and enhance retention.
Practicing both MCQs and descriptive questions daily to develop proficiency in both formats.
Taking regular mock tests to assess preparation levels and identify areas for improvement.
Clarifying doubts promptly and utilizing resources like technical articles provided by ACCA.
Focusing on drafting skills for descriptive questions to ensure clear and concise answers.
Practicing time management to complete exam papers within the allocated time frame.
Prioritizing mental health by maintaining a balanced lifestyle and adequate rest.

Which ACCA exam is commonly regarded as the most challenging?

Among the ACCA exams, some papers are commonly regarded as more challenging due to their complexity and breadth of topics. While the difficulty level may vary depending on individual strengths and preferences, papers at the professional level, such as Strategic Business Leader (SBL) and Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA), are often considered demanding by many students.

Is the ACCA exam generally considered difficult or manageable?

The difficulty level of the ACCA exam can vary from person to person based on factors such as prior knowledge, study habits, and individual aptitude. While some students may find certain papers challenging, others may perceive them as manageable with effective preparation strategies and dedication. Overall, the ACCA exams are designed to assess candidates' proficiency in accounting and finance, and with proper planning, practice, and guidance, many students are able to successfully navigate through the exams and achieve their qualification. With proper guidance chances of success improves substantially.