Study Approach?

Hi All,

This is a question in particular for P1 but also relates to P2.

I have tried various approaches to studying for both papers in the past 2 weeks, and none seem to be working. The pace that I am going at is way too slow and I planned to sit these exams in March. Methods I have tried are as follows:

1. Re-write notes from Kaplan book/Opentuition/anything else – trying to fit it all on a page or two. I would then have these in a folder and a few weeks before the exam literally write out mind maps and test myself with revision cards.This worked last year in my university finals for Accounting and Finance and I’m assuming this approach worked as I did very well in the exams. For this though, it is taking way too long (it has honestly taken me 2 days to make notes on 3-5 pages of chapter 1). Also bearing in mind I didn’t make my notes in University everyday, it was over the year as I had multiple assessments and the notes just carried over to exams.

2. Read the chapter in the Kaplan book, and then summarise each paragraph (if important) onto a small sticky note and stick it over the paragraph. This actually works although I have in my head that I NEED notes, so re-write these out on paper. Again that is what wastes time.

3. Today I tried something different. Printed off the detailed syllabus and each chapter has learning outcomes but in the style of questions. So similar to step 1, I tried writing out the question from the syllabus and put bullet points underneath. Again, it should help come revision time and the more I read it, but preparing them is taking too long. All in all this would help with question planning, i.e. I’ll have the points on what to explain. But its just the same notes as step 1 except not crammed into a single page and instead changing the heading to a question.

Sorry for the long message, but I cannot get through 1 chapter of P1. The Kaplan Study Text is already condensed down to the most important sections of the topic. Reading alone does not stay in my head. The lectures on Opentuition are very good (for P2 atleast). P1 I have watched one and its ok just difficult to understand the lecturer. As I haven’t sat a proper ACCA paper and instead got exemptions a few months ago for all 9 F papers, I have no experience what to expect in March. I cannot attempt any question at all because I have no knowledge. Basically, my notes end up being a mix of opentuition notes, kaplan notes, and other online material notes. Overall its just what is said in the book or online. I feel like notes are required to prevent the need to keep referring back to the book.

7 weeks to go, any advice?

Would you recommend I just work on P2 for march, then P1 and P3 in June? With the backup option of retaking P1 & P3 using the new exam syllabus in September? I remember when studying F8 (Audit and Assurance) in my final year and understood nothing until a few weeks before the exam – using step 1 study approach.

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I can’t seem to find any advice on how to actually study – everyone just says practice questions but how can you practice if you can’t get past page 5?

Lastly, with regards to P2 – I haven’t touched accounting since last May so feel like I’m starting from scratch again (although I’m not). This is going abit better than P1 although still feel like I’m not making progress and just spend a whole day making notes on a standard.

Thanks in advance