With only a week left until ACCA exams, stress levels are naturally high. But here’s the truth: if you have already attended your classes, the hard part is over. Now, your focus should shift to revision, practice, and building confidence only.
Let me share my experience with you. I have been through the same journey myself, and I know exactly how overwhelming these last days can feel. So, here is a practical, step-by-step guide to help you maximize your performance.
1. Shift Your Mindset
- At this stage, you don’t need to learn new topics. You only need to revise and reinforce what you already know.
- Tell yourself: “I have studied the syllabus, I have done the work, now I just need to sharpen my practice.”
- Keep calm. Stress doesn’t help; clarity and confidence do.
2. Stick to One Source of Truth
- If you’ve already followed a teacher’s classes and notes, trust that process.
- Don’t confuse yourself by jumping between multiple teachers, YouTube videos, or notes.
- More sources = more mess = less confidence.
3. One-Week Study Plan
Days 1-4: Intensive Revision & Practice
- Go through each topic briefly using your notes.
- Solve questions related to that topic immediately after revising.
- Use the “random sampling” method: pick past questions from different areas and solve them to keep your recall sharp.
- Mark the tricky questions and redo them 2–3 times until you feel confident.
Days 5-6: Past Paper Simulation
- Attempt past papers under timed conditions.
- Focus especially on your weaker areas and tricky MCQs.
- Strategy for MCQs:
- Solve the easy ones first.
- Mark the difficult ones, skip them, and come back later.
- Don’t waste time on 50/50 guesses in the first round.
Day 7: Light Revision Only
- Revise key formulas, frameworks, and summary notes.
- Avoid heavy studying and new topics at this moment. Just polish what you already know.
Day 7 (Night): Exam Prep Mode
- Keep your mind fresh: sleep well, go for a walk, watch something light.
- Prepare your essentials: admit card, calculator, pens, water bottle.
- Enter the exam hall relaxed and confident.
4. Exam Hall Strategy
- Written questions: Think in terms of marks. If a question is worth 4 marks, aim to write 4 valid points. This keeps your answers precise and saves time.
- MCQs:
- First pass: quickly answer all the ones you know.
- Second pass: revisit the marked/difficult ones.
- Final guesses: trust your instincts and move on.
5. Stress Management in the Last Week
- Take short breaks, go for walks, watch something funny. Keep your brain fresh.
- Limit social media. For every 2 hours you spend on social media, commit at least 8 hours to study.
- Remember: failing is not the end. At worst, it’s just a delay. Giving up is the real failure.
6. Golden Tips for the Final Stretch
- Stick to one teacher’s guidance. Avoid information overload.
- Balance smart work (concept clarity) with hard work (repeated practice).
- Use random sampling and revisit tricky questions multiple times.
- Stay calm, sleep well, and recharge.
💡 Final Word:
This last week is not about learning everything all over again. They are about refining, practicing, and boosting your confidence. Go into the exam hall knowing you have done the work and trust yourself.
