Want to scare someone about ACCA? Just say: "Unlike other exams like IELTS that show score distributions, ACCA is so hard they only report pass rates because so many people fail!" Haha, I'm kidding—it's not that bad. Let me share some tips that, if followed well, will have you thinking "70 or 80?" instead of "will I pass?"
Key Study Strategies for ACCA
1. Focus on understanding, not on getting it right I know it feels better to get the right answer, but when you get it right, you barely learn anything. When you get it wrong and thoroughly investigate why, that's when you learn the most. That's why sometimes I only do a few questions but understand faster and deeper than my classmates.
2. Complete every question in the book There's no better method. I know it's tough, but it's the only way to truly understand, remember long-term, and apply knowledge to work and life. My dad used to say: easy questions don't take much time anyway, but the hard ones you struggle through—those teach you the most.
3. Stop overthinking Usually, after reading a question, you already know if you can answer it or not. Many students sit there racking their brains trying to come up with an answer. But if the question is a learning tool containing knowledge you don't have yet, you could sit there all day thinking and get nowhere. My rule: if I don't know the answer within the first 2 minutes, I immediately read the answer key and spend hours understanding it instead.
4. Stop trying to force yourself to remember Memory is like a drawer—you have to put things in, take them out, put them back, and take them out again to know where they are. Put something in once and never use it? You'll forget it. When you learn something new, just shrug "okay" and move on to the next question. The next day, return to that question. If you forgot, learn it again—no problem. We often blame ourselves for forgetting, but forgetting is actually part of the learning process.
5. Have a question tracking system As mentioned above, you need to do every question in the book, but without marking them, you'll end up redoing questions you already understand because humans naturally prefer what's safe and familiar. The simplest way to mark questions is with colors:
- Red: First time reading, understood nothing, read the answer and got the idea
- Yellow: Read and understood somewhat, but not 100%
- Green: 100% understanding, can explain it to someone sitting next to you
This way, each time you open the book, you only focus on red and yellow questions. Green questions you already mastered—why repeat them?
6. Ask "dumb" questions Actually, the more naive and silly the question, the better. For example, I often ask ChatGPT questions like "Why do we need double entry? Can't we just write it down in a book?" A complex question asked in detail, understanding every tiny aspect, will help you learn faster later. Sometimes if you thoroughly understand question 1, your knowledge is already enough to answer 4-5 questions after it—so it actually saves time.
7. Choose your study time wisely ACCA study usually has two modes:
- Input mode: Try to read and understand new models, knowledge, definitions, concepts you've never encountered. This mode is best when your mind is fresh and your "hard drive" has plenty of free "GB."
- Output mode: Apply what you've input to do exercises and answer questions. I find 2-3 PM works best for this, or café after work around 5-6 PM.
8. Constantly relate to the big picture Stakeholders and Financial Statements are two things affected by almost every event inside and outside the company. When learning new concepts or answering questions, think about which line in the financial statements this transaction/event affects and how. Which stakeholders care about this? If this is mishandled, who gets affected? For example, if expenses are overstated, it means tax loss for the tax authority, and business owners can't strategize properly to grow the company.
Top Score Experience (SBL & SBR)
I scored 90 in Strategic Business Leader and 81 in Strategic Business Reporting while working part-time, doing volunteer work, and going through a mentally unstable period. A few takeaways:
- Don't fear essay questions: They seem scary but are actually easier than multiple choice because you get to present your own reasoning. View the exam as an opportunity to demonstrate your thinking.
- Fully utilize BPP videos: Watch the entire syllabus at least twice, pause or rewind whenever your brain "doesn't catch the signal." Videos never complain when you replay them 10 times!
- Prepare questions before class: BPP teachers are enthusiastic, but they're only truly effective when you bring specific unclear points to ask about.
- Ask questions until you fully understand: Teachers don't enjoy monologuing to a silent class all day. Watch videos first, note what you don't understand, and ask thoroughly in class.
- Camp out at Holborn Library: Strong Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, open 8am-10pm. I often use the school computer as a second monitor to read questions while analyzing answers.
- 80% of time on practice kit: Workbook should only take about 20%. The goal is to complete 100% of questions in the practice & revision kit, repeat 2-3 times instead of "guessing what might be on the exam."
In other words, top scores don't come from "speed learning" but from learning correctly and fully utilizing available resources.
Teamwork and Pomodoro
- Team up with study partners to maintain discipline. Go to the library together, set Pomodoro 25-5 minutes, and work in parallel to avoid laziness.
- Need to cram before exams? Working 12 hours/day for 5-7 days is fine—as long as you rest afterward.
- Spend time cleaning the house, taking relaxing baths... after completing your daily study quota.
"You can change a lot of things... but one thing you cannot change is your grades in university."
Grades aren't everything, but they're the "ticket" that opens the next door (PhD, job offer, visa...), so give it your all once—make it worth it!