Revision Session

ACCA Exam Tips

BY: Asad Ejaz

(ACCA, CISA,
CIISA)
Slid
e2

Attempt every question

Attempt every part of every question

(attempt does not mean finish even
just copying a relevant formula from
the formula sheet will get a mark and
could make the difference between 49
and 50)

Help the marker start each new

question on a new sheet of paper

Start each part of a question on a new

sheet of paper. If you can only write
one line for part (a) of a question, leave
the rest of the page blank you might
think of something else later to add.

Be neat

Help the marker be neat! You will get

marks for the correct approach even if
your calculations are wrong provided
the marker can see what you have
done.

Never write nothing!

Always write something for a written

part never write nothing! Anything
sensible will almost certainly get you 1
mark, which could be the difference
between passing and failing. There is
no negative marking, and so even if
you are wrong you will not lose marks.

Allocate your time between

questions and parts of questions.

Spending an hour on one part of one

question will certainly mean you will
fail because you will not have enough
time for other questions.

Don't spend too long on

one figure

In a calculation question, no one figure

can be worth more than 3 or 4 marks
(if it is it will be a separate part of the
question). If you find yourself spending
too long on one figure then leave it
there will be plenty more marks
available in the same time.

Help the marker

Help the marker in essay parts of

questions put each separate point on a
new line. If you string points one after
the other, there is the danger of the
marker missing some of them. Do
make each point into a sentence
never write one-word answers.

Read the requirements first

Read the requirements first do not

start worrying about the figures in the
body of the question until you know
what it is you are trying to do!

Remember the pass mark is

50%

Aim to get 50% on every part of every

question as fast as you can by going
for the easy bits first. Once you feel
you have got half the marks then you
can spend more time on the harder
bits.

Allocate your time and attempt

every part of every question.

This presentation intends to provide guidance to students on exam

techniques relevant to the ACCA Exams.
As you prepare for your exams it is important to have a structured study
plan. For every paper that you are taking you should develop a time table
clearly allocating time to studying the study text, doing practice questions
from different sources including revision kit, checking the questions and
analysing the mistakes. You must also take time out for relaxation.
As you prepare for your exams, there are number of resources available to
assist you in your exam preparation. These include resources that are
available on the ACCA website. These include syllabus, study guides,
examinable documents, examiners interviews, examiners approach
articles in different issues of Student Accountant, examiners comments in
Student Accountant ,articles in Student Accountant, pilot paper and past
exam papers. All these resources would facilitate effectual exam
preparation. Other resources including study text and revision kits are also
useful resources.

Allocate your time and attempt every

part of every question. Contd

Critical to exam success is practice. The more you

practice, the more confident you are in the exam hall.
Practice makes you perfect. Practicing number crunching
questions is essential but equally essential is practice of
questions involving analysis of information, scenario
based questions or theoretical questions. Practice writing
memos and reports.
Critical review of examiners comments would benefit
students. Examiners have clearly outlined poor
handwriting, irrelevant answer and ineffective question
planning as reasons for students not doing well in the
exams.
So what kind of exam technique you should try to adopt
in the exam hall.

You should aim try to

Impress and thus excel that
is where:

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Instructions
Manage Time
Presentation
Relevance
Easy Marks
Survival
Success

INSTRUCTIONS

Arrive at the right place at the right

time.
Read instructions carefully; how many
questions are to be attempted; how
long do you have?
Read the requirements for each
question carefully; underline key
words; look for the verb in the
requirement more on this under
intellectual levels shortly.

MANAGE TIME

Allocate the correct time to each question and

requirement. Attempt all parts of the question.
Stick to the time allocation. Look at how many
marks are available for each question.
All 3 hour papers now have an additional 15 mins
Reading and Planning Time.
During this time, students may only write or
make notes on the question paper.
To use this additional 15 minutes most
effectively:

MANAGE TIME Contd

carefully read and understand all question

requirements, making an informed choice about
which optional questions to attempt where applicable
read through and highlight relevant information and
financial data, noting why it is included
take note of the marks awarded for each question
and the allocation of marks between different
requirements within a question
start to plan your answers, particularly for discursive
questions
think about the order in which to attempt questions
make preliminary calculations.

PRESENTATION

Plan your answer.

Format and layout is important. The
answer should be properly structured
with headings, sentences, paragraphs
and bullets.

RELEVANCE

Students tend to spot question and not give a

relevant answer. It is vitally important that the
question asked is answered rather that what you
know. If the question asks about outlining the
effectiveness of internal controls of an
organisation, students should not write what they
know about internal controls but should use the
information in the question to appropriately
answer the question. Read the requirement at
least twice Dont just write down everything you
know about a topic Dont forget Professional
Marks where available.

EASY MARKS

Go for easy marks first. Look at what

marks are available for each
question/part of question. Have a plan
to attempt the paper. There are
students who prefer numerical
questions and then there are students
who prefer discursive questions.
Whatever your plan is, do complete the
paper. All the questions should be
attempted.

SURVIVAL

Dont Panic !!!

Keep going . Move on

SUCCESS

Revision be prepared for the exams.

Question practice and mock exams
dont let the real exam be the first
exam!

Key to Success

You must work hard and do your best in

the exam with the confidence that
youll get through.

Best of luck!

Thank You