If you've ever felt that rush of panic as the clock winds down and half of your accounting paper is still incomplete, you’re not alone. Managing time during accounting exams is a challenge many students face, me included. Accounting isn’t just about understanding concepts − it’s about fast thinking and efficient writing.
The complexity of problems during exams coupled with limited time, can easily leave you feeling overwhelmed. But with the right strategies, you can finish your paper with confidence and still have time to review your work.
Below, I share my personal experience and the strategies I’ve learned along the way − approaches that transformed my performance, boosted my scores, and ultimately showed me that effective exam strategies can be as crucial as mastering the content itself.
Situation
As a first-year student transitioning from high school to university, I faced significant challenges with time management during accounting exams. In high school, although I struggled with timing, the consequences were less severe. However, at university, this unresolved issue escalated, leading to incomplete papers and poor results. For the first time, I experienced the impact of failing due to unfinished work, which shook my self-esteem and made me question if I was truly suited for my chosen course. I realised that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to change my approach.
Task
I set a clear objective to improve my time management skills during exams and develop a strategy to help me complete papers within the time limit. My goal was to not only finish my papers but to see a marked improvement in my scores and regain my confidence in my academic abilities.
Action
I consulted with my lecturer to seek advice on how to improve my time management during exams. Through these discussions, I learned valuable strategies that made a real difference. Alongside these tips, I also developed additional techniques through my own practice, which
I will share in this article.
Results
The change in strategy produced a significant improvement in my performance. My test scores increased by 40% and I achieved a distinction on a subsequent test after applying the strategies from my lecturer’s guidance. This breakthrough marked a new level for me − a result I had never achieved before − proving that the right strategy can make a real difference. This experience reinforced my confidence, showing me that success is not just about hard work but also about working smarter.
Lessons Learnt
Below, I share strategies that have worked for me, improving my performance and boosting my marks.
BEFORE THE EXAM: LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR SUCCESS
Finishing an accounting paper within the time limit doesn’t start on exam day − it starts with solid preparation. Here’s how you can set yourself up for success:
Practise in advance − under strict exam conditions
Whenever you practise, simulate exam conditions. Set a timer, avoid distractions, and stick to the time you’d
be given in the actual exam. This not only helps you gauge whether you need to improve your speed, but also prevents wasting time on questions that should take minutes, not hours. You’ll build the habit of thinking and writing quickly, making the exam environment feel less foreign and more manageable.
Engage thoroughly with the exam scope and know where marks are awarded
It’s critical to understand what topics will be covered and how the exam is structured. Familiarise yourself with past papers to see how questions flow and where the most marks are awarded. Accounting is principle-based, so focus on mastering those principles − this is where the majority of marks lie.
Keep a ‘tricks book’
One invaluable lesson I’ve learned from my accounting lecturer is to maintain a book where you note various ways questions can be asked and how to approach them. You’ll pick up these ‘tricks’ as you work through past papers. This helps you avoid being thrown off by how a question is framed, saving precious time when the exam rolls around.
Know your work inside out
When peers ask me for study tips, I always emphasise this: you don’t figure out accounting principles in the exam room. The more practice and preparation you put in before exam day, the more familiar the structure and content will be. It’s like an athlete who trains for months for a race − they’re well-prepared to perform. Know your financial statements thoroughly; they’re essential and almost guaranteed to be tested. Understand why you’re applying each principle, so when questions are phrased differently, you can still apply your knowledge confidently.
DURING THE EXAM: EXECUTE WITH PRECISION
When exam day arrives, it’s time to put your preparation into practice. Here are strategies for maximising your performance during the exam.
Stay calm and focused
It’s easy to panic when the reality of the exam hits but remember − this is just another test of your knowledge. Losing your cool can lead to brain freezes, as I learned the hard way. In my first semester, I let panic over a difficult question take over, causing me to freeze and lose valuable time. That panic resulted in a failed test. Stay composed and approach the paper as you would any practice session.
Understand the question requirements and highlight key information
Start by carefully reading each question and highlighting key details in the instructions. This will prevent you from missing important information while making calculations and save you the hassle of going back and forth to recheck instructions.
Start with what you know
Quickly scan through the exam and begin with the questions you’re most confident in. This will boost your momentum and help you secure easy marks right off the bat. My lecturer always reminds us that there’s no difference between a mark gained on an easy question and one from a harder one − so don’t waste time on tough questions at the start. Fill in the easy marks, such as structuring financial statements or completing basic calculations, and build your confidence from there.
Manage your time and stick to it
Keep a close eye on the time throughout the exam. Allocate specific time slots to each question and stick to them. If time is up on a question, move on and come back later if you have extra time. This ensures you attempt all questions, increasing your chances of earning more marks overall rather than getting stuck on one low-mark question and losing out on others.
FINISH STRONG!
Accounting exams are as much a mental game as they are about knowledge. By practising under strict conditions, knowing your material thoroughly and applying smart time-management techniques during the exam, you can complete your accounting paper on time − confidently and with marks to show for it. Time waits for no one, but with these strategies, you can make the most of every second and finish strong!
Author
Nyasha Tatasha Shanji is currently pursuing a BCom degree in Chartered Accountancy at North-West University
