When it comes to the exam, it's mind over matter.

If you have just had a look at the pre-seen text on the official CIMA website, you may have mixed feelings. Part of you may be feeling excited and, in a strange way, looking forward to the exam. It will be a chance to show off all of the knowledge that you have been working so hard to learn. You may really enjoy learning and almost feel sad that it may be over soon!

However…

Another part of you may be feeling less keen. You have read the pre-seen analysis and have learnt more about reality television than you would have ever thought. You have a vague plan in your head and a little spark of determination. Broadly speaking, you have several paths to take. Let's consider these three people and their approach to the sitting.

From pre-seen to pass!

The LAST thing you want to do when are you sat down in your SCS exam is to be reaching for the pre-seen because you did not completely cover it in your revision, time will not be on your side as you have three hours to get through tough questions. 

In my experience, the best way to save time in the exam is to make up for it now and get to know the pre-seen inside out so that you don't ever have to look at it in the exam itself. Who else agrees?

Make the most of your study texts!

Want a better chance of passing? Mix up your revision. 

Often students assume they should be revising for their Strategic exam in a library or sat at a computer desk only, as this is a formal place to work. However, if you wanted to start reading an exciting book or watch your favourite TV show, you wouldn't be doing all this in the library or at a computer desk. Do not be afraid to get out and about when tackling a tough document, there is a lot of evidence that shows mixing up the location of your studying can help you process information, making you learn faster (and pass quicker!)

7 Wow Facts About Accountants!

Working through your CIMA qualifications can get tough and stressful, there is a lot of information to process and study. To help get you through your qualifications I have developed 7 interesting facts that will help motivate you to the finishing line:

1) Looking at job stats, the US department of labour estimates there will be a 11% rise of accountants in the US between 2014-2024. Amazing considering there were 1,332,700 registered accountants in 2014!

10 last things to pass your SCS exams!

With the SCS exams starting next week, it's VITAL you make the most of the remaining days. However, having over-seen a number of case study exams I know how difficult it can be to know what to do between now and next week - so I have decided to share with you a plan to follow.

Through speaking with past students and using my own experience I have created a tried-and-tested list of 10 things you should be doing before your exam: 

1) Read through the August Examiner's Report - this report contains very important information! It includes VITAL advice for students sitting the November exam and identifies exactly what the examiner's will be looking for! August SCS Examiner's Report

Learn from the Examiner's on How to Pass!

It's vital you make the most of these last few weeks before the exams start. With this in mind, I am going to share with you the key points from the latest SCS Examiner's Report.

Learning lessons from those who mark and assess the exam themselves could be all the difference between a pass and a fail this November. For every sitting I analyse the report and to share the key findings, and there is almost always one or two points which resonate with a lot of students.

The sound of success: How to Listen to Music and Work

Did you know, that listening to music could actually increase your productivity and improve your memory?

Past research has proved that a quiet and calm environment is the best way to revise your CIMA exams. However, many students do actually like to have background noise. According to a recent study listening to music during revision can improve your mood which in turn increases productivity and helps students to revise for longer. This is something I certainly find when tackling a heavy Pre-seen document!

Struggling to plan for your Strategic Exam? No worries, Astranti has you covered

The pre-seen is released. Yikes! Now is the time to start hard work, it is always difficult to know how best to revise and where to start. To help you, I have written up a schedule to give you an idea how to tackle the case study. In my experience, those who have a plan and stick to it are far more likely to pass the exam!

October
Monday 3rd- Official CIMA pre-seen release date - carefully read through the pre-seen case study.
Friday 7th- Watch the Course Videos and read through Study Text Part 1 - watch these to cement your knowledge of what's needed to pass the exam. We recommend these should be watched in synchrony with the Study Text Part 1. Watch a sample of our Course Videos
Monday 10th- Official Course Start Date
Thursday 13th- Begin to work your way through our pre-seen materials - These pre-seen case study materials helps to build an excellent foundation in preparation for the exam. The videos takes you through the whole document and highlights the important areas for you to focus on.
Sunday 16th- Read through Study Text Part 2 - Study Text Part 2 should be read continuously throughout the course. The Study Text Part 2 is a condensed version of our E2, F2 and P2 texts and particularly focuses on those areas most relevant to the case study-  Read a sample chapter of our Study Text Part 2.
Monday 17th- Work through the Ethics Pack- The Ethics Pack is a combination of a video and an e-book which covers a subject that regularly appears in the exam, and which many candidates overlook.
Wednesday 19th- Marker assigned to you
Saturday 22nd- Attend Masterclass 1 - (Watch the recorded version during the week if you are unable to attend the live session).
Sunday 23rd- Mock 1 deadline - Complete mock and send to your marker
Monday 24th- Study our Mock 1 solutions
Tuesday 25th Saturday 29th- Review Mock 1 feedback when returned by marker
Sunday 30th- Mock 2 deadline - Complete mock and send to your marker
Monday 31st- Study our Mock 2 solutions

November 
Tuesday 1st-Saturday 5th- Review Mock 2 feedback when returned by marker
Sunday 6th- Mock 3 deadline - Complete mock and send to your marker
Monday 7th- Study our Mock 3 solutions
Tuesday 8th-Saturday 12th- Review Mock 3 feedback when returned by marker
Sunday 13th- Masterclass 2 - (Watch the recorded version during the week if you are unable to attend the live session)
Tuesday 15th-Saturday 19th- Real exam
Wednesday 16th- Mock 4 deadline
Saturday 19th- Masterclass 2
Sunday 20th- Mock 5 deadline
Monday 21st- Study our Mock 5 solutions
Tuesday 22nd-Saturday 26th- Real exam
Whilst this schedule may look intimidating, you can use it as a framework to create your own schedule.  

Never too soon to prepare for that November sitting!

However far away the November exam may seem, you will be surprised how quickly it will come round. In my experience, making a plan early will really help you pass your exam! 

One question that I'm regularly asked is "When should I start my case study revision?". My response every time is 6 to 8 weeks before the exam, aiming for at least 10 hours of revision per week. Time and effort are key ingredients to success.

How to skim read!

When tackling a heavy document and only needing to pick out key topics, skim reading can often be the most effective tool for you to pick up information to help you pass you become CIMA qualified!

Skim reading is quickly going through whatever materials and trying to find keywords or topics. Before starting to skim through a document, think of the keywords and terms you are looking for, that way you have direction when you go into reading the document!