OVERVIEW:

ACCA qualification is divided into three levels (Applied knowledge, Applied skill, and Strategic professional level), The strategic professional level is advanced in ACCA qualification. It is crucial to pass the papers at this level to complete the ACCA qualification. This level is advanced and hence, is more complex than the other two levels. To succeed in the ACCA strategic professional-level exams students need to make some changes in their schedule, learning techniques and resources, study pace, etc. Following are some of the basic changes students can make in their lives to achieve success in their academic results.

UNDERSTAND THE EXAM STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS:

There are four courses in ACCA strategic professional level exams, these four exams include two optional exams and two of them are essentials. 

Essentials:

• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
• Strategic Business Leadership (SBL)

Optional (Any two):

• Advanced Performance Management (APM)
• Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
• Advanced Taxation (ATX)
• Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

The exam format in the ACCA strategic professional level exams is a mix of Objective and long answer questions, case studies assessing your knowledge, and application to real-life scenarios.

GET THE RIGHT AND RELIABLE STUDY MATERIAL:

Whether you are opting for self-study or any institute for the ACCA strategic professional level exams preparation it is essential to check the reliability of the resource you are using. Study material for ACCA can be bought online as well as from some local institute in Zimbabwe but you are advised to check if the resource you are using is ACCA-approved or not.

In case, it is acknowledged by the body of ACCA Global, you are good to go but if not then do not use that study material for your exam preparation. You can also use Past exam papers to prepare yourself for these complex exams, past papers help you familiarize yourself with the paper format, and question patterns and are best for time management. Solve past papers and do your revision in accordance to it, this will help you increase your pace to solve the paper and manage time effectively. Past papers and other study materials are usually offered by the institute or ACCA tuition provider but in some cases, you have to buy them separately. 

CREATE A STUDY PLAN: 

Make a schedule or timetable allocating specific hours of the day to studies. Break your syllabus into small, manageable sections and allocate time to every section according to its complexity. The subject or topic you find more difficult should be practiced during your peak energy hours so that you are more productive. Keeping a structured study plan helps students stay on track and ensures consistency. Revision must be done on a daily basis to make sure you haven’t forgotten previously learned topics. 

FOCUS ON KEY AREAS:

The ACCA strategic professional level exams are an advanced level of ACCA qualification, hence, students are advised to focus on key areas of each course. For example:

• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) focuses on your understanding and application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Strategic Business Leadership (SBL) equips you with skills like risk management, corporate governance, ethical practices, etc to apply them in real-life business scenarios.
• Other optional courses like APM, AFM, AAA, and ATX focus on technical skills, numerical, calculations, and implementing theory in real-life situations.

USE THE EFFECTIVE EXAM TECHNIQUE:

Two factors influence the marking of exams which are the material you write in that exam and if the exam was completed on time. To manage these factors students need to analyze the nature of the exam and questions, see the marks awarded to the question, and right according to it. Try to keep it clear and concise, it is advised for students to ensure that their answers in SBL exams not only showcase their technical knowledge but also their professional skills (analysis, evaluation, etc).

On the contrary, exams like SBR and AFM give constructive responses. Allocate time in accordance with the marks to each question and recheck thoroughly to ensure you haven’t missed any part of any question. These techniques will help you to achieve favorable results in the ACCA strategic professional-level exams.

JOIN STUDY GROUPS:

There are various local as well as international study groups of ACCA members in Zimbabwe, and joining these study groups can be very fruitful for ACCA aspirants. These study groups enable students of ACCA to network with fellow peers, alumni, mentors, and employers. Study groups motivate you to stay consistent and do better, you may also use them to get answers to your queries or get suggestions regarding ACCA qualification. The facility of study groups is just another way to stay determined for the ACCA strategic professional-level exams. 

PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE:

Consistency is indeed a key to success, by consistent practice students can not only get a better understanding of the course but also increase their pace to complete the exam in a given time. Consistent practice makes you familiar with the patterns, formats, and structure and also gives you a better understanding of complex topics. Hence, to prepare for the ACCA strategic professional-level exam easier you need to be consistent and not give up.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR WELL-BEING:

Nothing is possible or productive when your mental or physical health is at stake, overburdening oneself can result in health decline. If you are not mentally and physically fit you won’t be able to perform well in your academics. Therefore, it is extremely crucial to relax, work out, appreciate your achievements, and take serious care of your health. Do not take stress, keep a balance between study and health. 

CONCLUSION:

Undoubtedly, the ACCA strategic professional-level exams are quite challenging for students, but every cloud has a silver lining. Likewise, these advanced-level exams help you to gain all the skills required to start your professional journey in the finance and accounting sectors. With consistency, hard work, smart decision-making, and motivation you can achieve success in these exams as well. However, revision and practice from past papers can help you a lot in the process. It is advised to check the reliability of an institute or study material while preparing for ACCA exams to avoid any mishaps. You can check if the institute or resource you are using is ACCA-approved or acknowledged. Lastly, follow a structured timetable and do not overburden yourself.