Each paper tests different content, skills, and exam techniques, so your success depends on planning smartly, practising effectively, and staying consistent. Here’s how to study efficiently for two accountancy papers at once, without burning out.

Plan Your Time Wisely

Before diving into the details, take a step back and plan. Good time management is the foundation of successful revision.

Start by organising your diary:

• Be honest about what you can temporarily sacrifice, social events, TV time, or other distractions.
• Think long-term, not short-term. The reward of passing both exams will be worth it.

Next, create a revision planner.

Each day, you should know:

• Which paper you are revising.
• Which topic or question type you are covering.

Prioritise your workload:

• Rank topics for each exam from most confident to least confident
• Focus first on the weaker areas
• Build in regular review time to reinforce learning

A clear plan can provide structure and reduce stress,  you’ll always know what to study and when.

Revise Like a Pro

The key to passing accountancy exams is active revision, not passive reading. Simply re-reading notes won’t get you over the line, you need to engage your brain.

Here’s how:

• Complete all questions, tasks, and mock exams your tutor recommends.
• Use flashcards, past papers, and self-quizzing to test recall.
• Practise under timed conditions for both subjects, this builds confidence and exam stamina.
• Use the Pomodoro Technique: study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat for several sessions.

By actively testing yourself, you’ll identify weak spots early and strengthen your understanding across both papers.

Balancing Two Papers Effectively

Balancing two exams doesn’t mean splitting your time 50/50, it’s about strategic focus.

If your exams are on different days:
➡️ Once Exam 1 is over, plan a short review session for Exam 2 to refresh key areas.

If your exams are on the same day:
➡️ Finish revising the first paper a day earlier, leaving space for a final review of the second.

Other smart balancing tips:

• Don’t mix topics from different exams in a single session.
• Alternate between papers, but give more time to the newer or weaker one.
• Avoid neglecting either subject, knowledge fades if not used.
• Stick with the same unit for a few study sessions before switching, to consolidate learning.

Balancing both papers well ensures you’re equally confident going into each exam.

Making It Stick: Long-Term Learning

To turn short-term study into lasting knowledge, use spaced repetition. This technique helps your brain store information more effectively over time.

Revisit topics at these intervals:
After 1 hour → The next day → 1 week later → 2 weeks → 1 month → 6 weeks

Each time you revisit:

• Review your notes.
• Rework key questions.
• Test yourself again.

The more frequently you recall information, the more likely it will stay with you until exam day and beyond.

Look After Yourself

When juggling two papers, it’s easy to forget that your brain needs rest, fuel, and care to perform at its best.

Follow these self-care essentials:

• Get plenty of sleep – it consolidates memory and sharpens focus. Avoid all-nighters.
• Take breaks – schedule evenings off to relax and recharge.
• Exercise regularly – even a short walk can improve concentration.
• Stay hydrated – water keeps your mind alert.
• Eat well – balanced meals with fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds fuel your brain.

And most importantly, stay positive! Focus on the progress you’ve made, not just what’s left to do. Every small step moves you closer to success.

If you are worried about sitting your next exam, you can reach out to your skills coach or tutor for support.