I'm looking at a career change to accountancy and currently looking at options. After completing AAT level 2&3, I will then move onto CIMA next and work part-time while I study this.
I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough indication of how long it would take to complete each of the following if I dedicate 3 full days a week to study.
its a difficult question as everyone is different. The guidance from the professional bodies tends to be around 15 hours a week but most people that I know who took Cima / ACCA generally doubled that.
The best idea is up front to build a spreadsheet with a study schedule. I record every chapter in the book and set a target of one chapter per day (Including doing all of the questions), six days a week. Most subjects you will complete the study text in a month but then I used to buy both the buy both the BPP and Kaplan revison guides and try to set myself one exam per day (the questions in the book record which exams they originally appeared in). First month doing them, pondering answers, etc. Second month doing them under timed conditions with no referring to study materials until after the exam.
In the last week before the exam I would try to do two exams per day.
The only problem with my approach is that you really get to know a subject in three months... BUT... The moment that you move onto the next paper you don't have time to think about the exam that you did before and the knowledge just seems to slip out of your ear whilst you sleeep.
Study tips worth using a index cards and pneumonics. Index cards are especially good for the contract law where you need to know case law and latin terms. Pneumonics are good to ensure that you memorise all aspects of something souch as things to consider as to whether a company may be in trouble.
Do ensure that one day a week you take some time away from study or it will get to the stage where you hit a learning brick wall with nothing else going in.
Remember to check out the free study materials on open tuition.
Good luck in your studies,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
