Not clearing the ACCA exam can be discouraging, especially when you miss it by a whisker. However, it’s important to manage your emotions and approach the next attempt with a practical mindset. Acknowledge your feelings, but don’t let them hold you back. Instead, use this experience to refine your study strategy, focus on areas of improvement, and stay motivated.
In this blog post, we’ll share six actionable tips on effectively preparing for the next exam session and increasing your chances of success.
1. Don’t panic
Failing an ACCA exam doesn’t mean your career is over. You get another chance, and you’ll be better prepared this time. Do not panic when you get the news; accept the result calmly. Remember, everyone faces setbacks at some point, and how you handle them matters. Don’t let a first failure discourage you – it won’t affect your long-term career. Employers care about the final result, not how many attempts it took.
2. Review Where You May Have Gone Wrong
Feeling down for a while after finding out you’ve failed is normal. Take some time to process, but don’t stay off track for too long—get back to studying as soon as possible to keep up your momentum and retain what you’ve already learned. Reflect on where things went wrong. Identifying your mistakes is key to passing the retake. If you only missed a few marks, focus on refining your study methods and exam strategies. If time is an issue, improve your time management. Understanding your weaknesses will help you avoid them next time and boost your chances of success.
3. Speak to a Mentor / Tutor
A mentor/tutor can help you analyze your results and determine what went wrong. You may have missed it by a few marks or a considerable margin. If you have missed it by a few marks, you may need more hands-on practice, be it managing time, strategy, or stress. However, if you have missed it by a large margin, a thorough understanding of what has gone wrong is required. Your approach & understanding of the paper is amiss. Your mentor will help you understand this clearly & hence, having a detailed conversion after your exam result is vital.
4. Which paper to appear in the next exam session
Now, while your mentor will guide you on whether to repeat this paper in the next exam session or write 2 papers in the next exam session ( Re attempted paper & next planned paper), here is what we recommend. If you missed your last exam by a small margin, perhaps you need to finish more. You may want to think of appearing 2 papers in such a case if you feel confident. However, if you haven’t cleared the exam by a large margin, a lot of work is required, and in such a case, we recommend you only repeat this paper, but with thorough preparation.
5. Identify your weaknesses and work on each area
Check ‘My Exam Performance tool by ACCA’, this report could reveal many insights. Start identifying all key issues step by step & prepare to work towards each of these issues.
– Did you not complete the syllabus in the entirety
– Did you practice the Study Text & Exam Kit enough
– Did you take adequate Mock Exams
– Are there conceptual gaps in the syllabus
– Was speed the issue in the exam
– Did you blackout at any point in the paper
– Did you use the wrong strategy while attempting the paper
– Could you not revise One Day before the exam
– Was typing speed an issue & so on
6. Take advantage of the ACCA’s Resources
ACCA has a world of resources you must use adequately for your re-preparation. To list a few,
– Revise your Study Text & Exam Kit at least 3 times without leaving any part of the syllabus.
– Practice questions from the ACCA Study Hub
– Solve at least 3 Online Mocks & get them assessed, if possible, on the CBE Practice Platform.
– Go through Examiner Reports & Technical Articles on the ACCA Student Support Resources on the ACCA Global Website.
Also read our blog on Top ACCA Study Resources
Additional tips
– Don’t give up: Failing the exam once doesn’t mean you can’t pass it. Keep at it, and you’ll eventually reach your goal.
– Stay positive: It’s important to stay positive and motivated throughout your studies.
– Seek support: Don’t be afraid to seek support from friends, family, or a professional counsellor.
Conclusion
To sum up the blog, here are some key strategies for improving your chances of success in the next ACCA exam:
First, engage with your mentor for an open and honest conversation. They can provide valuable feedback and insights that will help you identify areas of improvement. Next, analyze what went wrong during the previous exam and pinpoint the issues you must work on. Additionally, take full advantage of all ACCA study resources, including textbooks, practice exams, and online tools. Finally, it’s essential to stay calm and keep your confidence. Trust your abilities, stay composed, and maintain a positive mindset throughout preparation.
Key takeaways:
– Speak to your mentor & have an open conversation
– Identify all the issues that went wrong
– Use ACCA study resources adequately
– Stay calm, keep your cool, and believe in yourself
By following these tips, you’ll be on the right path to success in your next ACCA exam.
