Students

How to approach your learning

This article examines how you can structure your study and exam practice to make the most of your learning and achieve the best results.

Your path to being successful in the exams is a simple one – make sure you review the course programme, which is critical to your understanding of the qualification. By actively participating in the course, reviewing lectures, acquiring knowledge and key skills, practising questions and taking time to consider tutor feedback, you have every opportunity to reach your potential.

In preparing your study plan, you need to decide what works for you. You can re-read chapters from the study texts, practise questions and access the recorded lectures as many times as you like.

The following guidance is to assist you in studying for the AIA’s professional qualification and in preparing for the online exams: ● Questions set for every exam paper cover the learning outcomes. You should read the learning outcomes in the paper syllabus you are studying. A learning outcomes approach focuses on the candidate’s demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes, at a targeted level of proficiency. ● Appropriate command words for the level are used. The “Levels of proficiency and levels of learning” document explains the cognitive levels of learning and the command words used at the Foundation, Professional 1 and

Professional 2 levels. ● Questions offer an appropriate balance of application versus knowledge for the associated level of attainment. ● Questions offer an appropriate coverage of the prescribed subjects and international education standards. The PQ Programme

Section 3.2 provides a summary of the competencies mapping for the prescribed subjects and international education standards. ● The number and type of questions differ between papers and levels. It is important that you read the “Syllabus structure” to understand what is required. ● Questions ensure appropriate coverage of the syllabus subject; i.e. all subjects are examined throughout the qualification.

The different types of questions Case study questions are substantial questions where candidates face (typically) a number of issues which they have to analyse. These questions are often presented over two to three screens, and require candidates to select specific issues and explain their implications. Additional material is presented as an “Exhibit” button, which candidates can “pop-out” to view.

A key issue is to identify the key components but also analyse them, identifying links between the issues raised. Some elements may be superfluous, but candidates need to identify what is irrelevant to provide an appropriate response. A case study involves a detailed examination of issues within a specific context.

At the professional levels, the examiner is expecting you to demonstrate critical thinking skills. You will identify the arguments and conclusions, evaluating the evidence and drawing conclusions. At the higher level, you should draw together your judgments to form a new position. Critical thinking requires you to be more accurate and specific in noting what is relevant or not in your answers. You should read the question requirements carefully, identifying the key points in the context of the case and analysing what is required.

A case scenario is a smaller question which embodies elements of a case study but

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addresses more limited and potentially less complex issues. Typically, it could be used in a shorter question or shorter series of questions. It can be used in a problem-solving way to resolve real life issues.

Case studies and scenarios may be based on real or imaginary data. The allocation of marks to these types of questions vary – you should therefore refer to the syllabus overview for each paper.

AIA has a list of recommended reading texts which provide advice on areas such as how to improve your study skills and critical thinking. How to allocate time to answer exam questions Generally, we would advise candidates to work out how long they have for each question depending on the marks. Refer to the syllabus “Structure of paper” for details on the assessment.

If it is a three hour paper (excluding reading time), then that equates to 180 minutes or 1.8 minutes per mark (assuming 100 marks).

Below is set out an example of how to approach a sample paper:

Multiple choice questions

10 marks 18 minutes

Long question 40 marks 72 minutes Short form 20 marks 36 minutes

questions

Choice questions 30 marks 54 minutes Total 100 marks 180 minutes

Tips on preparing for online exams You can improve your success in online exams by implementing the following tips: ● Make sure that you prepare your exam environment. Most papers are closed book so your room should be free of other material and books. ● Take some time to relax before the exam. Be ready early before you need to login. ● Take a comfort break before you start. You are only permitted one during the exam. ● Remember to manage your time – there is an onscreen timer. ● If you experience technical difficulties, use the onscreen Chat Box to ask for assistance. ● Show all your workings in your answers, as correct parts will receive marks. Any workings shown in the onscreen Note Pad will not be marked. ● Practise your exam technique by answering practice questions. ● Be up to date on current accountancy issues, including the examinable standards.

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Put simply, all candidates have to do is multiply the marks by 1.8 to calculate the number of minutes to spend on any question.

For example, for the paper “Financial Accounting and Reporting 2” at the Professional 2 Level, which is a three hour exam: ● Question 1 (Scenario) (40 marks): 72 minutes ● Questions 2, 3 and 4 (20 marks each): 36 minutes each for each question or a total of 108 minutes

Some candidates make a small deduction for reading through and checking answers. You can also review answers you may have “flagged” by clicking on the “Navigation” button. For a

You should make sure you understand how to sit online exams. The Online Exams page on the AIAwebsite provides key advice on how to sit the exams and how to make sure your computer is compatible.

40 mark question, you might possibly allow 62 minutes, plus 10 minutes for checking over and reading through your work (a total of 72 minutes).

If after the time you have allocated for a question you are not finished, the general advice is to leave it and go on to the next question, coming back to it if you have time at the end of the test. How much time you allocate per question doesn’t depend on the level of the qualification – it depends on the marks allocated in the syllabus.

Practice questions When answering “practice questions”, candidates should always try to undertake the questions as if under exam conditions. Initially, questions may take longer (and that is fine) but by the time candidates are ready for the exam they should try to replicate exam conditions.

To monitor and improve your performance in the practice questions you should: 1. Check the model answers and review these answers against your responses. 2. Review tutor feedback you receive for graded practice questions and follow up recommendations. 3. Be reflective: consider any knowledge gaps you may have and refer back to the study texts and other recommended reading texts. 4. Consider additional revision sessions: review your study plan. 5. Request advice from the study support team or the tutor. We are here to help you improve.

Time management is critical, and hence may not be so straightforward. You may, for example, be better using 15 minutes to start answering a new question rather than using that 15 minutes to polish up or finish an answer you have already written. Generally speaking, it is better to attempt each question, even if that means leaving some questions incomplete. It is always important to review your answers – this is key to producing a clear and well organised conclusion, especially for case study type questions.

You should make sure you understand how to sit online exams. The Online Exams web page on the AIA website provides key advice on how to sit the exams and how to make sure your computer is compatible. There are specific rules for sitting online exams. Make sure you understand these – a useful first step is to try out the onscreen sample assessment.

The Online exams web page provides key advice on how to sit online exams. You should also access this resource by logging in to My AIA: www.aiaworldwide.com ●