How to prepare for an Accounting exam

01 / Map out your work.

Use your teacher’s examination scope to list the topics. Mark each one as “I understand”, “I’m unsure” or “I need help”. Choose a small part of a topic for each session, such as one type of adjustment, rather than a vague goal like “do the whole chapter”. Include time to revisit earlier mistakes.

02 / Attempt, mark, explain.

Use a clean answer sheet and keep the memorandum closed. Afterwards, mark your answer and give each mistake a reason: an incorrect principle, a misread date or a calculation slip. Explain the correction in your own words. Attempt a similar question later; recognising an answer is different from producing it yourself.

03 / Practise the exam routine too.

Occasionally practise within the time limit for your paper. Read instructions, show calculations and leave a moment to check. Use the mark allocation as a guide to the work a question requires. Discuss uncertainties with your teacher or ask for extra support before one difficult question stalls your whole revision plan.

• Keep a list of mistakes you want to avoid repeating.
• Start with your current examination scope.
• Ask for help using a specific example.