There are two secrets to passing your exams (“only two?!” I hear you say!): ATFQ and AAQ.
ATFQ – Answer The F****** Question!
Excuse my language, but this is a major complaint from examiners, that students didn’t answer the question asked, instead they answered the question that they hoped to get. Instead of understanding what the examiner wanted, the student dumped all of the information they knew on the topic and hoped to get a good mark.
This approach is not only likely to get you a bad mark for that question, it will also lower the examiner’s impression of you. Remember – ATFQ!!
AAQ – Answer All Questions
The easiest marks to achieve are the first few marks in a question. E.g. it’s easier to get the first 5 marks of a 20-mark question than the last 5 marks. This means that when you’re in the exam you must be very strict with your time management.
It’s better to leave a question when your time for that question is up and move on, than try to get the last few difficult marks. Leaving any question unanswered is a big factor in making you fail.
Remember these two tips in your exams and in your preparation for your exams. These are both HUGE reasons why students who have the knowledge and ability to pass end up failing their accountancy exams.
9 Comments
Faithlyn
07. Mar, 2010
I would like to know how to prepare for studying when there is a child around but dont have anyone to keep the child. I work from 8:30am to sometimes 7:00 or 7: 30pm during the week and 12:00pm to 7:00pm on weekend.
Soul
08. Mar, 2010
Hi Faithlyn,
To be perfectly honest I don’t have an answer to that one. I’ve never been in that situation so I don’t know what it’s like for you.
The only thing I can suggest is to not take too many exams on at once, and focus your time as much as possible – if you have a quiet moment really concentrate your mind for that time on studying. If you’re travelling can you read your books at that time? Or even if you have 30mins use it well. I hope that helps!
ALi POnjaiT
07. May, 2010
I also face the same problem. After the long duty hour it is very difficult to study. Now, the proper way is to time management and opportunity usage.
Time Management means give less time to odd works after coming home. TV little but, not too much..Same for chatting and other thing. You know sacrifice to get something. And most important proper sleeping. Because, proper sleeping can make your working our perfect and worthy….
Second thing is Opportunity Usage as Soul Discussed. Try to keep passcard with you. Or try to keep soft copy of any material with you. You can get legal soft material from Opentuition.com and theexpgrup.com Use you small time in lunch time, free office time and traveling…..
I really love this article. Thanks Soul…
chancy
11. May, 2010
Hie soul
i use to have memory problem when ever l face an exam question lknow,l cant download every thing l sturdy from my head during exams how can you help me?
Soul
17. May, 2010
HI Chancy,
You’re not the only one! I once went into a university exam “knowing” everything and then got an “E” in the exam! Why? Because I hadn’t done any practice questions.
The difference between knowing the material and being able to get good marks is practice questions. This means short example questions, mock exams, and most importantly past exam papers. By doing these you are able to set your brain to almost “automatically” go into question answering as soon as you see the exam question.
It’s hard work doing past papers, I know, but it’s the best way.
Plus remember – you don’t have to write down EVERYTHING you know – write down what is relevant to the question, and also the points that score high marks. i.e. for longer questions more advice and evaluation in your answers, than just showing your knowledge.
Ali – Thanks for your comment and advice too! It’s always good to hear and share what works for other students!
Mick
25. Sep, 2010
Hi Soul ,
I have currently failed P3 Three times I feel sick of it as I am so close I have got 48 45 44 in my exams do you believe in doing answer plans I have not done any yet but do you think I should try this method.
Soul
21. Oct, 2010
Hi Mick,
I assume by answer plans you mean planning your answer before writing it in the exam? These are excellent for longer style questions. In fact if you are doing advanced questions you should use them always.
Plus what are you getting in practice exams before the real one? You should be aiming to get at least 60% in your practice exams, that way even with the stress of the exam and new questions you should get 50% to pass. Hope that helps!
ali-ul-hssan
25. Nov, 2010
i am cat t3,t4 student.i first time take part in cbe exam,plz give me some tips.
Soul
25. Nov, 2010
Hi Ali,
For tips please download the Pass1stTime free report – see the menu button at the top right of this page. For the full AIDE System to help you pass please click here: http://www.pass1sttime.com/aide-system-video-course-special-acca-offer/
For exams tip specific to your exams I suggest going to a course provider such as BPP and finding what information they provide for free.
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