How I scored 81 marks in P5 in Dec 2012

Having read some comments wondering how to pass P5 and due to fact of completion it on 81 marks from first attempt I`ve decided to share my own experience. Hope it might help, if you disagree, just give up reading below:

1. Preparation: I was lucky one who was able to attend classes of ACCA tuition provider (ATC), and more lucky to be taught by Nick Ryan. If you can afford to do the same It amplify you chances to pass drastically, if not stick to open tuition forum, lectures, and tips on the eve of exam. It helps. And do not forget about reading past (from Dec 10 onwards) examiners report. Alex Watt inside is there. Try to understand what he wants from students and what cause his dissatisfaction about student performance. Also read SA (all articles) – they would appear on exam sooner or later.
2. About P5: If you got F5 and P3 you chance to pass P5 is high. I agree with those who assume deep connection between P3 and P5. But you should aware that P5 core is aim to test your ability to improve performance management NOT strategic position of company. But in any case performance has to be realigned with strategy. Often Alex Watt starts scenario base question from describing something about company mission, strategy challenges and so on. Do not ignore this info cause further you can write a see of words but if you lost connection with mission it would be marked poorly. And revise F5 if it had been done long ago. Some issues like learning curve or budgeting can appear everywhere.
3. About examiner style: Alex Watt pays particular attention to question requirements. Read them very carefully and twice before start doing question. Also read all parts of requirements and do not do A without reading B, C requirements. Cause you can be trapped writing something sensible in A but marks for that allocated to B. There are no slack in scenario text, if something given it should be incorporated by you in logical flow. Unfortunately, examiner would always give you something in wrong sequence in order to mislead you. Sometimes in looks like crazy scenario. But it is because life is not perfect and you have to survive in tough conditions.
4. Model answer: do not be obsessed with model answer, it is just one approach, may be best one. But if you got idea from scenario and write something sensible you always would be awarded marks. My tutor explain me that this way.
5. My approach to gain marks: Sitting P3 and P5 I never write short sentences in order to gain 1 mark for bullet point to write number of points equal to marks allocated. I always write one full sentence explain the root of problem, consequences to company and hoe to resolve issue. I assume it gives me 2-3 marks, but quality of ideas improved. It is easy to concentrate on main issues more deep compare to go to cover lots of small issues.
6. Time allocation: spend 1,6 min. on 1 mark. Before the exam make the synopsis of study system book and write (not read) questions. You have to write vary quickly to complete P 3,5 on time. Practice to do that before exam helps. Before exam sit mock, you have to feel the pain on your shoulders
7. Questions sequence: I do q1 first. I even not turn the pages on Q2-5 in 15 min. reading time to fully concentrate on Q1. Some can disagree, but I was not damped in Q2-5. P level questions starts to be longer and longer and it is waste of time to read something you are not about to attempt shortly. May be you should go through questions requirements Q2-5 quickly. But be aware that on this exams understanding them is critical and in any case you have to read them slowly before attempting each Q.
8. Relax before entering exam hall: I thought I fail P4 and mentally was ready to sit P5 in calm manner without thinking that it is my last exam. I relaxed and started to write, then I speeded up. Time went in another way, more slowly. It was interesting experience. Do Not to be nerves.

P.S. AND finally main advice I had read before exam and fully adopted on exam: treat exam like your client who pays you money for consultancy service and hope you are able to improve his business. Be intelligent and brave enough to first understand and then to share how to do that. Take that serious and you get pass !!! Good lack.