Exam Technique and
Effective Study
Sarah Roberts, FCCA
sarahroberts@bpp.com
+447781 113739
Contents
• The multiple choice CBE, ACCA F1-F3
• RAPT
• The fundamentals, ACCA F4-F9
• The Professional Level
• Effective Study
Multiple choice exams
• Do not underestimate the exam
• Read the question
• Do calculations on paper not in your head
• Use the taught methods and proforma
• And remember if in doubt it’s C!!
Multiple choice sample question
• The following information has been prepared by a trainee accountant:
Trade receivables, 1 July 20X5
130,000
Trade payables, 1 July 20X5
60,000
Cash rec’d from customers
686,400
Cash paid to suppliers
302,800
Discounts allowed
1,400
Discounts received
2,960
Contra between payables and receivables ledgers
2,000
Trade receivables, 30 June 20X6
181,000
Trade payables, 30 June 20X6
84,000
Multiple choice sample question
• What figure should appear in Annie’s income
statement for the year ended 30 June 20X6 for
purchases?
A $331,760
B $740,800
C $283,760
D $330,200
RAPT
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Reading and preparation time
Do not open the answer booklet
15 mins given before all written papers
First use to plan order of answering question
Write time allocation by each question, 1.8
mins per mark
• Do not read questions in detail
• Start work on first question on exam paper
The Fundamentals – General advice
• Always read the question
• Highlight and write on the question paper
• Time management
• Answer in the format asked for
The Fundamentals – Numerical papers
• Show workings/calculations
• Cross reference workings to the final answer
• Make answer easy to follow
• If using formula write it out first if not provided
• Learn proformas
The Fundamentals – Written papers
• Answer the question asked not one you wish had been
asked
• Do not waffle
• Write in short paragraphs, leave white space
• Imagine reader is an intelligent person without any
specific accounting knowledge
• Use the marking guide, usually 1 point per 1 mark
The Fundamentals – Example
• Question: ACCA F8
• “(a) Explain the term “audit risk” and the three
elements of risk that contribute to total audit risk (4
marks)
(b) Identify areas of inherent risk in the EuKaRe charity
and explain the effect of each of these risks on the
audit approach. (12 marks)
(c) Explain why the control environment may be weak
at the charity EuKaRe. (4 marks)
The Fundamentals – Example
• Solution
• “(a) State the definition of audit risk and the 3
elements
(b) Find 6 risks from scenario and state effect
on audit approach – can use table format
(c) Find 4 examples using scenario and expand
point
The Fundamentals – Example
• Marking guide
• (a) 1 mark for explanation of each term
• (b) 1 mark for each area of inherent risk and 1
mark for explaining effect on audit approach
• (c) 1 mark for each point on weak control
environment
The Professional level – general advice
• Up to 5 “professional” marks per paper
• Use information in question in answer
• Less focus on numbers
• Higher level skills required
• Time management
• Marking guides weighted
• Knowledge is not enough
• Multiple issues within question
• Case study type scenarios
Effective Study
The Memory Fallacy
How good is your memory?
Does it get worse as you get older?
The memory is like a muscle: the more you use it the better it gets.
The more it is neglected, the worse it gets.
Adult learning – trained out of using imagination
It’s only worse if you allow it to be!!
Fundamental Principles
• Association
– Linking things together
• Eg Song from your holidays
• Imagination
– Using visualisations
• Eg Remembering a holiday
• Location
– Provide a context
• To differentiate between information
Learning Styles
• Visual
– Written information, notes, diagrams, pictures.
• Visual appeal.
• Auditory
– Spoken word. Listen and take notes later.
• Auditory clues and music.
• Kinaesthetic
– Touch and movement. Imitation and practice.
• Performing actions. Using tools.
Learning Styles
• Pragmatist
How can I apply this in practise?
• Activist
I’ll try anything once
• Reflector
I’d like time to think about this
• Theorist
How does this fit with that?
Standard Note Making/Taking
What is missing from standard notes?
• Visual pattern
• Colour
• Association
• Imagination
• Visualisations
• Dimension
Consequences for your brain
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Key words are obscured
–
•
preventing the brain from making appropriate associations
Difficult to remember
–
•
single colour - boring - rejected and forgotten
Waste of time
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unnecessary note taking and reading
re-reading and searching for key words
Failure to stimulate the brain creatively
–
list style notes gives the brain the sense that it has come to an end
or finished and prevents associations
Consequences for your brain
• Lose power of concentration
• Time Consuming habit of note taking
• Loss of confidence
• Loss of love of learning
• Boredom & Frustration
• Hard work – less progress!
Mind Mapping
• The mind map is an expression of radiant
thinking
• Characteristics
– Subject crystalised in a central image
– Main themes radiate from central image as branches
– Key word or image used on branch in decreasing
order of importance
– Branches form a connected nodal structure
Exercise 1
1. In the centre of your page draw a circle.
Draw 10 lines coming out of that circle.
2. When I give you the central word, write it in
the circle.
3. Then you write 10 associated words along
each of the other 10 lines you have drawn.
Mind Mapping
Happiness
Exercise 2
• Now do the same exercise around the central image seen
below.
• This time you are not allowed to use any words. All
associations must be drawn as a picture, symbol, diagram, etc
Picture
• Your brain enjoys the pictures:
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Relaxation
Pleasure
Develops visualisations
Unleash the power
Enhance your memory
Advantages of Mind Mapping
• Time saved by:
– noting only relevant words 50-90%
– reading only relevant words 90%
• Key words visually arrange
– enhancing recall and concentration on real issues
• Clear and appropriate associations between key words
• The brain finds it easier to accept and remember visually
stimulating mind maps
• Encourages continuous and potentially endless flow of thought
• Brain becomes increasingly alert and confident in its abilities
Mind Mapping Laws
The 3 A’s
• Accept
– Accept that it may work
• Apply
– Experiment to find a personal style
• Adapt
– Use the techniques in different ways
Mind Mapping Techniques
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Use emphasis
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Central image; Colour; Dimension; VARIATION;
S p a c i ng
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Use association
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; Colour; …---…; BOI’s
Be clear
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Arrows
Onewordperline; PRINT; Connect lines; Thickness;
Boundary; Horizontal & Upright
Personal style - +1 Rule
Questions