Introduction:
ACCA exams are one of the most difficult modules of the accounting and finance sector, covering a variety of complex topics from finance, accounting, and business. ACCA courses are quite comprehensive, providing in-depth academic knowledge and equipping aspirants with modern technical skills. The qualification consists of a total of 13 exams divided into three levels known as: Applied knowledge, Applied skills, and Strategic Professional level. Aspirants of the ACCA usually feel distressed during the exam period as the ACCA exams are both complex and comprehensive.
The qualification covers a wide range of topics, therefore, it is difficult for students to prepare for all the modules. Another issue is the nature of the questions, which are unique and include descriptive answers, case studies, and scenario-based questions only. Students find it challenging to complete the questions in the given time and usually fail to solve all the questions; this results in poor performance. To overcome this situation and showcase their best academic abilities, ACCA aspirants should highly concentrate on effective time management skills. If they manage time efficiently during the exam period and complete all the asked questions within the allotted time, they can ace ACCA exams in UAE. If you are an ACCA aspirant curious to know the best time management strategies that you can use while preparing and during exams, this guide will prove to be a great help for you.
Time Management Strategies While Preparing For ACCA Exams:
The struggle of ACCA exams begins from the preparation period, which is the most important part, as your overall performance depends on it. Here are some strategies you can follow to allocate and manage time properly for each module or topic.
1. Create a Realistic Study Schedule:
The qualification of ACCA in UAE promotes structured study plans, as the qualification is already very complex; unstructured study schedules can create more complexities and chaos. A structured and realistic study plan helps you in achieving your academic goals more directly and easily. You can break the syllabus of each module into small, manageable chunks and set goals to accomplish within a limited timeframe (weekly goals). Make sure to allocate more time to the topics you find more complex and ensure you have enough time left for revisions and practice papers.
2. Follow The 50/10 Rule:
Know that giving an excessive amount of time is not enough to ace ACCA exams; you need to be highly focused and productive during study hours. If you are giving maximum time of your day to your studies but aren’t focused enough or are mentally drained, it will affect your productivity, resulting in poor performance or incomplete goals. Therefore, following the 50/10 rule can help you stay productive; this rule suggests aspirants study for 50 minutes followed by 10 10-minute breaks. In this break, you can walk, hydrate, stretch, or do small activities to avoid burnout or to release stress.
3. Use Early Mornings or Late Evenings:
Early mornings and late evenings can be a good time to prepare for ACCA exams as there tend to be fewer distractions during these hours. Some people feel more relaxed during morning hours, while some are more energetic during late evening hours. Individuals can observe what works best for them and follow that routine. Fewer distractions will allow you to be more focused on your studies, resulting in better learning and increased productivity.
4. Practice Mock Exams Religiously:
If you keep practicing through ACCA mock exams or practice papers, it will help you increase your writing speed and also enhance your problem-solving, analyzing, and critical thinking skills. These things are quite helpful during exams and lead to solving the exams within the allotted time.
5. Time Management Strategies During ACCA Exams:
Many students find it extremely challenging to complete lengthy ACCA exams within the given time period, The following ACCA tips will help you in completing these exams within the allocated timeframe.
6. Know The Exam Format:
Know the types of questions, mark allocation, and the number of questions, then allocate time to each question depending on the weightage of marks that the question carries. This way, you will be able to give more time to questions with more marks and score higher in them.
7. Stick To The Time Per Question:
During ACCA exams, you usually encounter questions that seem very complex. If you find a question difficult, rather than wasting your valuable time getting stuck on that question only, move on to the other questions, and once you have completed the rest of the paper, get back to that specific question later.
8. Review Time:
Just completing exams within the given time is not enough; make sure your time allocation is structured so that you get at least 10-15 minutes for revision. Reviewing your exam once completed can help you in spotting errors or minor mistakes you might have made during the haste to complete the paper on time.
Conclusion:
ACCA exams and their preparation have always been the talk of the town, especially amongst aspirants of finance and accounting qualifications. The modules of this qualification are considered to be highly complex and competitive. A diverse, comprehensive syllabus and limited time create waves of panic among students; to overcome these issues, effective time management can be a savior.
Students can incorporate certain time management strategies while preparing for these exams and at the time of the exams. These strategies include structured & realistic study plans, practicing mock exams, following the 50/10 rule, time allocation as per marks weightage, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Are there any tools ACCA students can use for effective time management?
Ans: Yes, aspirants can use online tools and software like Google Calendar, Notion, Pomodoro timers, etc., to efficiently manage time by tracking and planning their study performance.
Q2: How many hours do I need to give to one ACCA module daily?
Ans: It is ideal to give at least 3-4 hours daily to an ACCA module, however, you can make changes in this timeframe depending on the complexity of the module.