Top tips for passing AAT assessments

AAT student Rachel Spence is nearing the end of her AAT journey. She has some great tips on how to pass those AAT assessments – five in fact

As I approach the end of my AAT apprenticeship journey with just one exam left to sit, I can certainly say that it has been an exciting rollercoaster with certainly more ups than downs! Although at times it has not been easy, I have achieved all first time passes across my AAT exams from level two to level four and I am now going to share with you my five top tips as to how you can also achieve this.

Tip 1 – Practice makes perfect!

Sitting reading a textbook, watching a video, or listening to a podcast may bring about some benefits when it comes down to the initial learning process. However, if you want to achieve those high marks in the assessment it is vital that you take a proactive approach to your studies. The best way for you to do this is by attempting practice questions that are like those in your exam. Mock exams are a vital tool for not only familiarising yourself with the layout and the style of questions, but they will also allow you to plan your time accordingly. The more you practice, the greater the chances you have of passing the assessment – they may take time, but it is time well spent.

Tip 2 – Remember to take time out

Admittedly, something I wasn’t (and still not) too good at. It is important to remember to take breaks in between your studies in the lead up to your exams. Whether this is spending time with family and friends or going on a short walk, it will re-energise you, allowing you to get the most out of your study sessions and giving you the best chances of achieving those higher grades in the assessment.

Tip 3 – Use the examiners’ reports to your advantage

AAT publish examiners’ reports on their learning portal and they are certainly an important tool to help you to succeed. The reports will help you to identify the tasks where students drop the most marks, which should allow you to focus your revision on weaker areas. By reading through the examiners’ reports you are setting yourself up for success; they provide a detailed breakdown of strengths and weaknesses in each task in the assessment, giving clues as to what may crop up in your assessment.

Tip 4 – Help one another!

Motivation is sometimes hard to come by for students (I’ve had this!), especially more so if you are self-studying. However, if you have the option of studying with someone on the same course as you then you may find that working together can act as a good motivator, and you can help each other if you get stuck. If you do not have this option there are a myriad of AAT study groups on social media you can join, and I would strongly encourage you to do so – even if you do have a study buddy there is a wealth of information available through these groups that will support you in your journey to passing your assessment.

Tip 5 – The night before

Contrary to popular opinion, I would never pick up any of my resources the night before an assessment. If you don’t know it by this stage, you won’t know it in the exam – you haven’t prepared well enough, and this will just make you panic. It’s not worth the stress of forgetting what you do know for the sake of trying to learn new information. Instead, take the opportunity to relax and get prepared for the assessment. Make sure you eat a proper meal and ensure that you get an adequate amount of sleep. But, most importantly, gather all your equipment together that you will need for your exam – especially your calculator! By doing so the morning of the exam will be far less stressful.

Ultimately, AAT assessments are not a walk in the park; they require you to put both time and effort in especially if you are aiming for those higher marks. However, the greater your dedication to your studies, the more confident you will feel on the assessment day, and you will get the result that you sought.