Some Useful Tactics for ACCA Exams - By Anum Fazli

An ACCA qualification is highly considered, given the professional nature of the course, and where passing the ACCA exams is a hard earned process for every student. However, when the exam results come out, it saddens a large proportion of students who worked very hard but still only got 47%-48% marks.

The question often asked is where did we go wrong? Unfortunately that is a question we genuinely can’t answer generically – after all, there are numerous reasons why a pass is a pass, and why a fail becomes a fail.

However, here are some of the useful study tactics which I am sure will definitely help you out in passing your ACCA exams.

1. Question spotting: This is a dangerous approach and often puts students in great trouble. Trying to guess what will come in the exam, and focusing your efforts solely in those areas? If you had that much insight into potential future outcomes, you’d be better placing your hand at stock trading! The examiner knows it better. It has been observed that those topics which have come in the previous ACCA exams may not be considered as important for the current exam, but this is by no means a guarantee. Only in-depth learning will save the student in the exams.

2. Practice questions: Solving past exam questions (revision kits), will give students a confidence and a clear idea about the exam style. You can practice how long you have to sit and write for, practice to identify what answer the examiner is truly asking for, practice the feel for the exam in general.

3. Rote learning: This approach will never assist you in passing your ACCA exam. Examiners have vast choice to test student in a way he or she wants. For this, rather to focus on rote learning thorough understanding of the topic and dealing the scenario questions smartly is very important. This can be only achieved if you have a good reading habit and you should know to present your answer in a professional way.

4. Level of the verbs used: It is very important to make yourself fully comfortable with the level of the verbs used in exams. Failing to do this will put you in difficulty and lead you getting no marks. Questions practice will assist you in dealing with this easily.

5. Time management: This is the most important factor. Normally on the exam day lots of students face this problem, as so many students are unable to handle pressure. To overcome this, divide your time carefully for each question and try to ensure you are able to finish your answer within that time. Reach your ACCA exam center at least one hour before the start, so that you can settle down, and ease any nervous tensions. If you stuck in any of the questions during your paper try to skip it and return to it later. Try not to leave any questions blank in your exam, preferably try answering them all, even if it shows minor working or an understanding of what is required from the question.

These are just some minor and basic pointers, but often can be forgotten in the heat of exam preparation. Along with these tactics, a positive attitude, hard work and determination will definitely help you in passing your ACCA exams. Good luck to you all.

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