Exam Revision and Techniques to Ace your ACCA Exams
Are you struggling to find a balance between studying and wellbeing? ACCA exams require dedicated time, energy and effort, leaving it hard for students to know how to approach revision. However, with these tips and guidance from our tutors, you will be able to navigate your ACCA exams with no trouble.
Create a Study Timetable
One of the most important steps towards exam preparation is creating a study timetable. Breaking down key considerations for planning your revision is key to effective time management and revision.
Be realistic: It’s easy to overestimate how much time you have to study. By breaking down your modules and assigning specific time blocks for each topic, you’re ensuring that you cover everything thoroughly.
Setting clear objectives allows you to stay on track to success, define weekly goals and assess how you’re improving. Ask yourself, ‘Am I meeting adjustments?’, ‘Do I need to focus on a specific area?’. This will help you to ace your ACCA exams, remain proactive, and combat procrastination.
Getting sufficient sleep
If you’re set to succeed in your exams, recharging your brain and body is the first step to take. Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. During sleep, your brain processes and stores information, transferring it from short-term memory to long-term memory. Avoiding screens before bed raises melatonin levels and increases alertness; a great step towards a good day of study the next day.
Understanding the Forgetting Curve
Whilst these tips cover approaches on how to maximise the proficiency of your revision, research shows that reviewing your work and progress improves information retention. An individual tends to forget 50% of new information within an hour of learning it. To combat this, reviewing the material within 24 hours helps to retain 80% of it.
Mastering balance and revision: Insider tips from our tutors
As aspiring accountants navigate the challenging landscape of ACCA exams, guidance from experienced tutors can make all the difference. We reached out to our tutors to gather their top tips for success; from effective study techniques to managing stress. These insights aim to empower students on their journey to achieving their ACCA qualifications.
Daily Exercise
Our tutor, Ian Thoroughgood, says that incorporating daily bursts of exercise into your routine can significantly enhance your wellbeing and mental health, which is crucial when preparing for ACCA exams. Physical activity helps to boost the release of endorphins, helping to reduce stress and improve mood, making it easier to focus on your studies. Short exercise sessions can also enhance cognitive function, leading to better retention of information and increased productivity throughout the day.
Are you wondering how this can fit into your day? To effectively integrate exercise into your routine while preparing for exams, start by planning short, manageable workout sessions throughout the day. Aim for 10-15 minute bursts of activity, such as going on a run, stretching, walking. These can all be done in study blocks, and tailored to your preferences. Consider setting specific times for these breaks to create a consistent habit, the more routine you build, the higher your motivation will reach.
Completing Practice Questions
Another tutor, Sara Wilson, says her top tip to succeeding in ACCA exams is to practice past exam questions. Familiarising yourself with the exam format and content prepares yourself for any questions you may encounter. Approaching your upcoming exams like this will help to identify key topics and themes that frequently appear, allowing you to focus on weak areas when you revise.
Working through practice questions not only enhances your understanding of the material but also builds your confidence in applying content under timed conditions.
Moreover, reviewing your answers helps you pinpoint areas where you need further improvement, ensuring that you approach the exam well-prepared and with a clear strategy for success.
Understanding Time Frames, and How to Effectively Plan
David Malthouse outlines a strategic approach to exam preparation, breaking it down into clear time frames that foster both academic success and student wellbeing.
2-3 Months Before the Exam:
This initial phase is crucial for building a solid foundation. Students should adopt a routine of practicing little and often, which will allow them to gradually absorb the syllabus content without overwhelming themselves.
Engaging with a variety of practice questions and completing mock exams in real exam conditions is particularly beneficial during this time. Not only do you have the chance to familiarise yourself with the information, you also create opportunities for mistakes- an essential part of the learning process.
By identifying areas of weakness early on, students can focus their efforts on understanding complex topics, reinforcing their weaknesses to strengths. This reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of achievement.
1 month before the exam:
As the exam date approaches, students should shift from learning content, to a stage of focused preparation- such as review sessions, mock tests, and past exam questions. David expresses that utilising this time to mark your work and evaluate progress being made deepens students comprehension of the material.
This phase is about refining skills and solidifying knowledge, ensuring that students are not only familiar with the content but also capable of applying it effectively under exam conditions.
48 Hours Before the Exam:
In the final lead-up to the exam, self-care becomes increasingly important. Students prioritising their mental and physical wellbeing is key, and time should be taken to relax and recharge. This could involve exercise, as previously mentioned, engaging in hobbies, mindfulness or simply ensuring you get adequate rest.
Reducing last-minute cramming is crucial, as navigating your exams with no preparation causes burnout and heightened nerves. Instead, approaching your ACCA exams with this strategy, students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed while also maintaining a healthy balance between study and well-being.
We hope these tips guide you through your ACCA exams and revision. If you find yourself struggling, there are useful links on our website to provide help, alongside resources on our YouTube, FI Learn and FI Hub. However, if you need further support, you can always get in touch with your tutor.
