Level 7 ACA Apprenticeship student Alex is now eight months into his training agreement and has completed his Certificate Level exams. He explains how he dealt with exam pressure, the importance of recognising your own personal learning style, and why asking colleagues for help is a good idea.
Navigating the credit for prior learning (CPL) process and Certificate Level exams
As Alex did a related degree, he was able to apply for credits/exemptions against some of ICAEW exam modules via the credit for prior learning (CPL). Alex says the CPL process was straightforward. “You go onto your training file, upload confirmation of your results from university, and they'll tell you which exams you're exempt from. It shows up as a separate tab on your training file.”
As Alex got exemptions for three of his Certificate Level exams, he only sat Business Law and Sustainability and Ethics. “Ethics and sustainability come up in every sphere of accounting so it's important to stay on top of it.” At the same time, Alex’s degree had included a law module, which he had found particularly interesting. “I was confident going into it, perhaps more so than other people, because I'd had that experience at university,” he says.
The Certificate Level exams weren't a huge undertaking compared to the Professional Level ones that he’s currently working towards. By easing him in relatively gently, they have proved a good way to get into the rhythm of study, work and exams, he says. And although Alex admits that the classroom environment doesn't always suit him particularly well, being engaged with the content has helped. “It helps to be interested in what I'm learning about so it's not been too bad so far.”
Learn what works for you
The last few months have taught Alex that success hinges as much on understanding your preference for learning styles as technical understanding. “The biggest thing that I took from it is to try and learn as much about yourself and how you study as you do about the content because it helps you to adapt.”
For Alex, that has translated to recognising the impact of the mid-afternoon energy slump. “I really struggle to focus in the afternoon. So now I take the latest lunch possible because I know that as soon as I put that laptop lid down, I'm going to be a lot less focused in the afternoon.” Being able to recognise that in yourself is an important skill for both exams and the workplace, he says.
Buddying up and manager support
Alex has been paired up with a fellow ACA student at his firm. “My buddy joined the firm about a year before me, and we’re now studying for our first Professional Level exams together.” Going through the process with someone in the same boat has been transformative, Alex says.
It's easier to hold yourself accountable when someone else is on the same path, Alex says. “If we agree that we're going to do a practice paper and we come to our next catch up to talk about it, you need to follow through. It helps motivate you to hit some of the slightly arbitrary deadlines that you give yourself.” Alex says he finds that particularly helpful because he sometimes struggles to structure his studying.
“In the classroom, they always say, if you have a question, someone else probably has that question as well. If you don't talk to each other, you're never going to know that so make sure you keep engaging with each other.” We have catch ups in the diary with a manager to talk through how the study is going. We also sit opposite each other in the office, so we talk regularly and can chat through any concerns or ask ad hoc questions.”
Alex is grateful for the support of his colleagues at work but admits it has taken him a while to feel comfortable enough to take them up on their offers of help. “If I had my time again, I'd lean on my managers a lot more than I did. I do that quite easily now, because I've had the time to build relationships with them. They've always said, any help you need with work or studying, let us know.” Accept when you need help and support, don't be worried about reaching out to let someone know, Alex advises.
Exam day structure
While last-minute cramming might work for some people, Alex has found that it’s a strategy that is counterproductive for him. “I don't like to revise too close to the exam. By the time of the exam, I feel comfortable that I have put in the work, so cramming on the day feels like diminishing returns.” At the same time, Alex has found that last minute revision does little to put him in a good frame of mind for an exam. “How helpful is it to stress yourself out?” he asks. “I think it's more important to relax.” On the day of the exam Alex’s routine starts with a chilled breakfast in front of the TV. “You've got to be organised but try not to think about it too much,” he says.
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