Exams

Success often hinges on more than just textbook knowledge in the high-stakes realm of exams. Unexpected challenges can throw even the most prepared individuals off balance. Edel Walsh delves into effective strategies for handling the unexpected and maintaining composure under pressure Exam success has a lot to do with how you deal with an unexpected curve ball a paper can throw at you. For example, there could be a question you don’t know how to answer or something you didn’t review during your study sessions. Your own internal thoughts or curve balls might also show up on the day of the exam. People often worry about forgetting everything they’ve learned, their stress levels affecting their focus, or if they studied enough. Here are some tips for dealing with the unexpected during an exam.  Expect the unexpected No matter how well-prepared you feel, there can always be something that will catch you off guard during an exam. This is to be expected given the type of exams you are sitting.   Once you have accepted that something unexpected will come up, it won’t feel so overwhelming when it happens.  Breathwork No matter what happens in the exam, you are always in control of your own breath. Use it to regulate and re-focus.  Stress can have a physiological effect on your body. One such side effect is your breathing getting shallower.  When your breathing becomes shallow and quick, there is not enough oxygen getting into your bloodstream, and so not enough oxygen reaching your brain.  This can impact cognitive ability, which can have a knock-on effect on overall exam performance.  If this happens, give yourself a few moments to recognise what is going on. Then, place your hand on your belly and take some deep abdominal breaths.  A breathing technique when in a sticky situation is the 7/11 breath. Breathe in for seven seconds and out for 11 seconds. Repeat this a few times.  Another effective breathing technique is the square breath: breathe in for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds and hold your breath for a final four seconds.  Even when feeling confident, I always recommend students take a breath before tackling any question or requirement. This will help you get clarity of thought before continuing.  A word of warning, though: try not to wait until the exam day to start practicing your breathing.  While it will help you even without any practice, it is much more effective with practice.  Incorporate breathwork into your study routine.  Answering unexpected questions When faced with an unexpected question in the exam, it can be easy to misread it, overlook an important piece of information, or misinterpret it entirely.  Use the following five-step approach to keep yourself on track. Breathe: Use a breathing technique to help clear your mind and self-regulate. Read: Take your time reading the question or case. The faster you read, the fewer words your eye will focus on. If you feel like you don’t understand what you are reading, slow down and try again.  Key words: Highlight key words, like “analyse”, “assess”, and “describe”, and answer the question accordingly. Also look out for "and" as that indicates there is a second part to the question that needs to be answered. Ask: Ask yourself: “am I answering what the examiner is looking for, or am I answering a question the way I’d like to answer it?”  Plan: Before you start writing, take a few moments to plan out your answer to make sure you haven’t missed any important elements and that you understand what the examiner is asking. Focus on your circle of control When you are feeling pressure in an exam, it is useful to focus on what is within your control.  Start with the questions that give you the most confidence. If possible, keep the difficult questions until the end, ensuring you have left enough time to answer them. Remember: slow down, take a breath, regulate yourself and then you can tackle whatever comes your way.  Edel Walsh is a student and exam coach. For more information, check out www.edelwalsh.ie

As the summer exams approach, students are gearing up for a critical phase in their academic journey. Bryan Rankin, Head of Student Operations at Chartered Accountants Ireland, sheds light on essential but overlooked resources that can significantly impact exam readiness It’s March, and we’re getting closer to summer exams.  In previous articles for The Bottom Line, we’ve talked about some key supports that are being made available online – sample papers, sample solutions and practice papers that are hosted on the online exam platform Cirrus. In the past, we’ve also talked about the importance of undertaking your mock examination (starting with CAP1 in April 2024) as an essential dry-run exercise for the main exams; this is as true as ever.  At this stage, students will know that all their education materials are hosted in the Learning Hub. However, at the start of each subject in the Learning Hub, there’s an introduction section with some often-overlooked articles and documents that can help students make the most of their study sessions.   Learning Journal Let’s start by looking at the Learning Journal.  In the introductory section, a consolidated Learning Journal lists the topics covered from start to finish across the subject.  The Learning Journey also contains a detailed breakdown of the key learning objectives for each session, links the lessons back to the Competency Statement and directs you to the relevant chapter in the textbook.  It also places each session in the wider context of the subject and often touches on the practical application of learning principles in the business world.  We recommend printing the Learning Journal and placing it at the front of your study notes folder.  Many students use the Learning Journal to track progress through the subject, log potential areas of weakness, and assess proficiency.   Don’t miss the ‘Lecturer’s Tip’ at the end of each journal, which often contains important information on how a question might be structured in the main exam.  Eight steps to online learning success Next up in our review of useful resources on the Learning Hub is an article called Eight Steps to Online Learning Success.   We think it’s so useful that we’ve included it at the start of every subject! Online learning has enormous benefits for professional-level students but demands particular focus and diligence, and can be quite different from what students are familiar with. With lots of practical advice, this brief article will set you up well for the weeks of revision that lie ahead.  Study plan While on the topic of revision, we’ve also given you a concise study plan tailored to each subject. Students should consider this essential reading.  The document will help you to create your own study programme, and points to subject-specific topics that regularly arise in exams and explains how to maximise exam performance.  The study plan is available in the introductory section of each subject on the Learning Hub.  Terminology lexicon CAP2 students will be aware that CAP2 exams take a step up in complexity as well as duration, and the exam questions often require longer, discursive answers.  The wording of questions may dictate a particular treatment. For example, asking you to ‘critically evaluate’ will require a different exam response from a question starting with ‘outline’.   To this end, CAP2 students can avail of a lexicon of exam terminology that explains what the examiner is looking for in each case.  This may be added to your notes and referred to during the CAP2 exams, which are open book. Discussion forum The last resource to mention – and perhaps most important of all – is the discussion forum.  If you have any questions about course materials, perhaps a solution that you don’t fully understand or want to ask a lecturer an academic question, please use the forums. Members of our academic team are ready and waiting for your question, and everyone gets a prompt response.  Not only will the question and lecturer response help your studies, but it will also help many students who didn’t even think about that question or haven’t reached that point yet. Everyone’s a winner! There are only a few rules to follow when using the discussion forums: Post your query in the relevant discussion forum session number and thread;  Don’t create your own discussion thread; and Always keep it professional. If your query relates to exams, you’re better off contacting the exams team at CAP1exam / CAP2exam / FAEexam @charteredaccountants.ie.  Now you know the benefits of the above learning resources as well as where to find them in the Learning Hub, it’s over to you to utilise them.  Not only could they make a difference in your exams, but the resources might also make your learning experience more efficient and even enjoyable. 

Attending in-person events with Chartered Accountants Ireland can  unlock a world of support, knowledge and connections, explains  Becky Maye, Tax Associate at PwC and CASSI committee member Everyone may need some help from time to time, whether it’s information, a listening ear, or access to networks.  While you’re a student with Chartered Accountants Ireland, this will be no exception.  During the time you spend as a student, you have access to an amazing network and the opportunity to attend a plethora of events regardless of experience, location or what stage you are at in your qualification.  These events are both educational and recreational and are an essential part of your engagement with Chartered Accountants Ireland.  CASSI The Chartered Accountants Student Society of Ireland (CASSI) is the society for Chartered Accountants Ireland students.  As representatives of the student body, we’re here to support you through good times and bad on your journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant.  One key aspect of this is the events held throughout the year! CASSI is extremely active in organising regional and national events that cover various topics and aim to include everyone.  In line with the Institute’s and CASSI’s focus, work-life balance is always important. We have an ongoing emphasis on mental health and all aspects of well-being: physical, emotional and mental.  These events provide students with access not only to a network of peers but also a network of individuals and professionals who can help guide and shape your career in a way that works for you.   They also provide the opportunity to learn transferable skills and become a more well-rounded professional.  In-person learning Where your studies are concerned, Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Education and Training Department also run brilliant in-person exam prep events.  The focus of these events is to help all students prepare for exams in the best way possible.  Through guest speakers, members of the Chartered lecturing team, and education leads, there is an opportunity to learn how best to approach your study leave, improve your exam technique, and much more.  These in-person sessions are also a great opportunity to connect with peers, lecturers, and your fellow students who all are aiming for the same thing – your success!  As a student with Chartered Accountants Ireland, by attending events, whether through CASSI or the Education and Training Department, you can make the most of your student experience.  

Edel Walsh explores transformative strategies to break free from the grip of constant scrolling  When I feel even the slightest bit bored, I pull out my smartphone. I scroll when queuing for my coffee, taking a break from work or when I should be working. When I wake up, I check in with my smartphone rather than checking in with myself. It is also the last thing I do at night.  After realising what I had been doing with my time, I knew I had to change this habit as I was losing hours to doom scrolling.  When I was taking my Chartered Accountancy exams, I had a mobile phone; however, at the time, mobile phones were only used for phone calls and texting. The phone was not the distraction it is today.  Dopamine hit When a person is scrolling on their phone, dopamine gets released from the brain into the bloodstream. As part of the internal reward system, it makes a person feel happy.  We all want to feel good and are guilty of continuous scrolling. Eventually, 45 minutes pass, and you decide to start studying. Your brain is going from a dopamine trigger to being forced to look at books. It is fair to say your brain will find it challenging to engage in productive study. A 2021 study by Oluwafemi J Sunday, Olusola O Adesope and Patricia L Maarhuis, The Effect of Smartphone Addiction on Learning, shows that smartphones negatively impact students' learning and overall academic performance.  The researchers also found that using mobile phones negatively impacts the skills and cognitive abilities needed for students’ academic success and learning. Here are a few simple tips to make your smartphone less appealing while studying. Remove the phone from your study environment The easiest way to avoid being distracted by your phone as you study is to remove it from the area where you are studying.  Research in 2017 by Dr Adrian Ward et al showed that students who kept their phone on the desk while studying performed the worst on their test. Students who kept their phone in their bag or jacket but still in the study environment performed on par with those who kept their phone on their desk while studying. The highest performers were the students who left their phone in a separate room. Make your phone boring When I reflected on my mobile phone behaviours, one of the first steps I took was to make my phone more boring. I deleted all the social media, news, and other apps that were distracting. When I need to check those services, I use the desktop version.  To start, delete at least one app that distracts you. See how this makes you feel and observe your phone behaviour. After a few days, see how you feel about deleting a few more.  Take a break from it all The purpose of study breaks is to rest your brain so you will feel rejuvenated when you return to the books – for many of us, reaching for our smartphone when on a break is an automatic habit.  To give your brain the rest it genuinely deserves, how about you: sit in silence with a cup of coffee; take a walk around the block; get some fresh air in nature; do a guided meditation or a short yoga pose; or read a magazine or a chapter of a book. In the quest for productivity and focused study, breaking free from the allure of constant smartphone use is of utmost importance. As we navigate the digital age, these strategies can offer a roadmap to balance, ensuring that our smartphones become tools for productivity rather than barriers to success. Edel Walsh is a student and exam coach. She supports her clients with their studies and exams by focusing on academic success and personal development and looking after their well-being. For more information, check out www.edelwalsh.ie

Despite its modest appearance and less-than-enticing title, the Competency Statement is arguably the most helpful yet underrated resource students have at their disposal. It should be the platform for your study plan, central to your note-taking for open-book exams and core to exam preparation, explains Bryan Rankin, Head of Student Operations at Chartered Accountants Ireland   When taken with other documents like the Examiner’s Report, the Competency Statement (Statement) is like the examiner’s open letter to the student. It contains a range of information about the broader skills of the Chartered Accountant. However, it can also give you an edge in exam preparation.  What does ‘competency’ mean? One of the first items highlighted in the document is what competency means. For our purposes, ‘competency’ is the ability to apply knowledge, understanding, and skills to perform to the standards required in employment. For students working through their education programme, the Statement outlines the knowledge and skills examinable for each programme, be it CAP1, CAP2 or FAE. Importantly, the Competency Statement is created by the examinations team, so this is the examiner's list of all the topics that can come up on the exam paper.   It’s no wonder that students are expected to read their Competency Statement carefully.  The anatomy of the Competency Statement The Competency Statement also indicates the level at which the examiner expects you to be familiar. Headline topic areas are further broken down into individual learning outcomes. Each learning item has either ‘understand’, ‘apply’ or ‘integrate’ highlighted beside it, indicating the level of challenge the examiner can be expected to apply.   Students will do well to note the instruction associated with each learning outcome. For example, verbs like ‘explain’ point to a requirement to be able to write succinctly and clearly about the topic with support from relevant facts. These instructions can be expected to appear on exam papers, so it’s prudent to get used to the various terms used.  A further benefit of the Statement is that the examiner provides the weighting of marks for each headline topic area. For the student, this means you have some direction on the amount of time to devote to each topic area, allowing more efficient study time.  The Competency Statement is accompanied by a summary of changes it has undergone for the present academic year. Both documents are available online at the Learning Hub at the top of each subject. Cumulative Principle The Competency Statement for each subject contains an important point that all students would do well to note: Chartered Accountants Ireland exams are given under the Cumulative Principle.  This principle states that our education programme is based on cumulative knowledge, meaning there are key elements of CAP1 examined at a more advanced level at CAP2.  For example, the examiner assumes that the exam candidates at CAP2 and FAE have a good knowledge of the material covered at CAP1. Students who were exempt from CAP1, or students who progress from CAP1 into CAP2 and FAE, will be expected to be fully knowledgeable about the material covered on the CAP1 syllabus. Each candidate is responsible for ensuring this, as CAP1 material may not be reviewed during the CAP2 courses.  Using the Competency Statement Hopefully it is already apparent to the student that the Statement has many valuable and practical applications. There are many ways it can be used to your advantage. For example, in the video ‘Study Notes Management’, available for CAP2 students in the Learning Hub, Professor Mike Farrell demonstrates how students can use the list of learning outcomes as a checklist, which can then be used to identify frequently mentioned topics. You can also assess your progress, highlighting areas of difficulty where you have answered a question incorrectly.  Some students like to use ‘traffic light’ indicators beside learning outcomes, where green indicates that they are comfortable with it, while amber and red show more challenging topics.  Reaping the rewards The Competency Statement should be an essential reference document to support your studies. The student who makes full use of the Statements will reap rewards by being more efficient in their study time and being better prepared going into exams. 

Having enthusiasm for learning and a proactive approach to studying can shape a brighter future, says Caelainn McGonigle, CASSI PR Officer and a trainee with Gilroy Gannon A s we ring in the New Year, many of us welcome 2024 as a new chapter filled with fresh opportunities, promises and resolutions.  For us students, the New Year is an opportunity to redirect and reset our academic journey and habits with renewed enthusiasm for lectures and exams. Transitioning from the Christmas break back to our regular routine of lectures and study can seem intimidating or daunting, but with strategic planning, a positive mindset and a couple of other tips and tricks, we can kick off the New Year embracing the challenges ahead. Take a moment to reflect on the positives and negatives, both academic and personal, of the past year. Recognise accomplishments, reflect on challenges, and pinpoint areas for improvement. This reflection sets the way for clear and concise goals and aspirations for the New Year, which will make way for renewed academic enthusiasm.  Goal setting Setting realistic and achievable goals is vital. Whether they focus on important academic milestones, day-to-day time management or regular study habits, they must be direct and reachable. Setting an abundance of unrealistic resolutions can be overwhelming and distract from meaningful progress. Mindset A positive mindset with a can-do attitude may be the most powerful tool for ensuring the New Year embraces the changes we have identified as being necessary for our goals.  Recognise 2024 as a clean slate, whether this means a new attitude towards lectures or hardiness towards exams.  Turn the setbacks into opportunities to better yourself, learn from the experience and grow in a positive manner for the next obstacle.  Get organised Organisation is a fundamental key to academic success. Reorganising and decluttering both physical and digital spaces is a great way to start the New Year.  Take the time to identify what your environment requires to allow focus and concentration to peak.  Scheduling a balanced, realistic academic plan, including lectures and study at this time of year, can reduce the overwhelming feeling of suborganisation closer to exam season. Try planning apps or physical calendars to find which works best for you. Go to your lectures Active participation in lectures over the coming months will reap benefits at exam time.  Instead of passively attending lectures at the end of a working day or on a Saturday morning, ask questions during the live lecture, make use of the forums and reach out to other students.  Exam preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. Utilise the students around you over the coming weeks for their top tips regarding exam season. Consistent and intentional preparation builds confidence and minimises stress as exams approach. Balance When easing back into routine after the break, prioritise balance between work, study and personal well-being. Regular exercise, sufficient sleep, healthy eating and fun activities to destress will be key in keeping you feeling rejuvenated for the coming months. New Year, new you Kick off the New Year with renewed enthusiasm for lectures and exams by implementing a combination of reflection, goal setting, a positive mindset, organisation, active engagement, and consistent exam preparation. These strategies can harvest academic confidence, growth, learning and success.