Bryan Rankin, Head of Student Operations at Chartered Accountants Ireland, shares the education team’s top exam tips to help students navigate their studies, maximise resources and prepare effectively for success
It seems only a short time since you started this current academic year, but our programmes have already passed the midway point. The finish line is in sight and mock exams are coming up next for CAP1 students.
At this time, students often ask the education team for guidance for the upcoming exams. Not only are the following suggestions relevant to all three programmes, they are also based on the experience of past students and on data collected about their results.
Since the move to exclusively online education delivery through our education platform, the Learning Hub, we have been able to track a whole range of engagement data, including the exam resources with which successful students engaged. We have also looked at data in an effort to understand what resources unsuccessful students did not take up.
We have listed what we think are your priority items to get you best prepared for Chartered exams.
Sample papers
Let’s talk about sample papers.
The PDFs are full, exam-standard papers accompanied by the solution. At time of writing, several CAP1 sample papers are already on the Institute website (you’ll need to log in to the Student Centre).
Sample papers are Chartered Accountants Ireland’s version of ‘past papers’. They’re much more valuable than traditional past papers, which can quickly go out of date as exam formats evolve.
Our sample papers and the solutions are updated annually. They cover a broad range of topics and are kept in line with the competency statements weightings.
For CAP1 students, your sample papers will be of particular importance as the new, autoscored format comes into effect for all CAP1 exams.
You should be familiar with the question formats at this stage, as every CAP1 session in the Learning Hub contains an ‘exam practice question’ pack, and your live webinars have also brought you through examples of the new question types. However, the sample paper brings it all together with an exam-standard script as compiled by the Institute’s Exam team.
We encourage you to attempt each sample paper in exam conditions. For example, attempt the paper in the location you plan to sit the assessment and limit yourself to doing it in the time allowed.
There is little value in glancing down the sample paper, looking at the topics covered followed by a quick perusal of the corresponding solution. The sample papers are key resources, so you should dedicate some time to them now.
We advise that you attempt one sample paper in preparation for the mock exams, and the others as part of your exam study regime.
Practice papers
Each subject has a dedicated practice paper, which is an exam standard paper that is uploaded on the exam platform (Cirrus). The CAP1 students practice paper will be available on Cirrus from 6 March 2025. Practice papers for CAP2 and FAE students will be available soon. Students should check their email regularly for information.
You should make each practice paper count. For the main exams, you will have access to one practice paper for all subjects and a maximum of four attempts at each practice paper. It’s a good idea to watch our e-assessment videos explaining how to navigate Cirrus, so you understand the platform long before you undergo any assessment.
Again, we recommend that you keep a number of practice attempts to use in advance of your main exams so you can test your knowledge and timings in an exam setting. No additional attempts will be given.
Mocks
Do not underestimate the importance of undertaking your mock examination (starting with CAP1 in April, and CAP2 in May 2025).
The mocks should be seen as an essential dry-run exercise for the main exams. As well as a great opportunity to test your knowledge on an exam-standard paper on Cirrus, it’s also another fresh sample paper.
Through the mocks, students are able to test their current knowledge, replicate their exam setting, gain vital first-hand experience and ensure their technology is working before the summer exams arrive.
You can sit the CAP1 mocks during the CAP1 mock exams window from 5–13 April, and CAP2 mocks from 3 –11 May 2025. The mock exams may be sat via Cirrus at a time that suits you during that window.
Please note that the mock exams will not be invigilated.
In-person events
The last exam prep resource to mention are our in-person student events.
The Institute organises two series of in-person events: one at the start of the academic year, which includes an induction event, and the second event having an exams focus.
These face-to-face events are about connecting you with other students and offering you proven exam advice. Topics will include study planning, exam preparation and resources, exam day technique, time management and much more. You should treat these events as an essential part of your studies. Your training firms and employers have also been advised about the events (see dates and locations below).
Students who joined us last year found them to be extremely beneficial in preparation for the main exams. Places are limited so register via the home page of the Chartered Accountants Ireland website to confirm your attendance.
We wish all our students the best of luck in their ongoing studies.
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