The power of Past Year Questions (PYQ)

This is my personal experience on ACCA Examination

If you ask whether it is proven? Well at least one me! I have also share this with student during my lecture or when I conduct those seminars on Study and Exam Techniques

Today I shall share this with you too.

I always begin my own intensive revision on either May (for June Examination) or November (for December examination).

The first thing I will do is actually to revise the subject once then the lecturer note and the text book will then on the "Supporting Role".

Before I start this process I will always do an important step, which is collecting all relevant PYQ. Do up a PYQ analysis and stick it on the wall. (If you need any past year analysis do email me)

Then I will start practicing the Past Year Question. Usually I will do it based on each sitting instead of select those question that I "want " to do only. This is wrong.

Very important is that I will time myself according to exam condition. How to determine how long I should spend on each question?

Every mark you should spend 1.8 minutes. For example if the question is 5 marks the "maximum time spend is (1.8minsX5 marks) 9 minutes.

The first few time will always be painful and tough.

You will definitely face question that you don't know what to do. Never mind face it. Force yourself to write something that you think is relevant.

Now remember this, during exam if you write NOTHING, you gain no marks, if you write something there are chances that you might get it right, so try it during practice at least you try your best.

Ok them times up look at your A4 paper how much can you write? Now actually no of pages you wrote is not really that important but it is an indication.

If you wrote only a few lines then you have lots of do in the next 1 month. If you have 1 page as a result then you also have lots to do in the next few weeks

However if manage to write 2 pages or more then you are good (this is based on a question of 20 marks –average)

Now if you write 2 pages and below go back to your notes or text book do your revision again on the relevant topics

If you write 2 pages and above congratulation you can now proceed to read the Past Year answer!

Why? Less than 2 pages mean that you don't understand that subject so go back to revise again instead of reading the answer which will confuse you more.

More than 2 pages don't mean your answer is right but at least you can write and reward yourself by reading the answer as the short cut. However it doesn't end there!

When you read the notes or answer take a red pen with you. Whenever you read something which is not include in your practice answer write it down on your A4 paper the more the merrier.

Why do you do that? Answer is simple, the next time you do your revision read your Answer together with all the reddish part you will then know your mistakes and learn from there. This is the most effective short cut.

Practice this again and again on the PYQ, you will find that PYQ become easier each time you practice especially on similar topic which you have attempted before.

Make sure you keep all these practice answer then revise from time to time. You can do that when you travel, while you are waiting for something, when you are taking a break. These become your self-create notes for your exam. This will also be the best material/resources you have and revise it a day before exam. As you will read all the mistakes you make and never repeat it again.

Good Luck, any questions leave a comment or email me.