Study Tips for Exam Success

Q: How many hours should I study each week?

Track outputs, not hours. Prioritise timed questions completed, errors fixed, and learning outcomes mastered. A consistent routine with weekly timed practice beats long, inconsistent sessions.

Q: What is the fastest way to improve my marks?

Timed practice plus ruthless review. Complete questions under exam conditions, compare to model answers, log mistakes, then drill the weak areas until they stop being weak.

Q: How do I handle discursive or scenario questions?

Use the requirement as headings, apply your points to the scenario facts, and conclude clearly. Avoid generic textbook paragraphs. Markers reward relevance, structure, and professional judgement.

1) Build a study plan that you can actually follow

Most students fail for predictable reasons: they revise what feels familiar, they avoid timed practice, and they leave exam technique until the last week. Fix those three and you improve fast.

Start with outcomes

Translate your syllabus into a checklist of learning outcomes. If you cannot explain an outcome in plain English, you do not know it yet.

Use weekly blocks

Plan your week in blocks, not vibes. Two to four focused sessions beat one long weekend panic session every time.

Make practice the core

Reading is support work. Scoring comes from doing questions, marking your answers, and fixing gaps.

60-minute setup (do this once)

List every topic and learning outcome for your paper.
Rate each outcome: Green (confident), Amber (shaky), Red (weak).
Schedule Reds first, then Ambers.

Create a folder for model answers and examiner feedback.
Set a weekly timed practice slot.
Track errors, not hours (your error log is your roadmap).

If you skip this, your revision becomes random, and random revision is trash because it does not map to marks.

2) Eight habits that raise marks

Big effort with sloppy execution still loses. These habits are small, repeatable, and directly tied to what markers reward.

The IAAP “Marks First” playbook

Make your workings readable. Label steps, show logic, and make it easy to award method marks.
Never leave marks unattempted. A partial answer can outscore a blank page.
Budget time by marks. Your time should follow mark allocation, not your favourite topics.
Cover the full syllabus. Depth matters, but gaps create avoidable risk.
Rehearse the required format. Answer what is asked, in the form requested (calculations, narrative, report style).
Write like a professional. In discursive questions, apply points to the scenario and conclude clearly.
Read beyond the notes. Build context so you can explain “why”, not just “what”.
Treat ethics as examinable. Ethics is not a separate topic, it shapes judgement in real scenarios.

3) Exam technique that converts knowledge into marks

Answer the question you were asked

Students lose marks by dumping everything they know. Markers reward relevance, structure, and application. Use the requirement as your headings, then write to those headings.

Time allocation (simple rule)

Calculate minutes per mark once, then stick to it: minutes per mark = total minutes available ÷ total marks. If you run out of time on one question, move on. Finishing two questions badly is worse than attempting all questions well.

Your weekly routine (minimum effective dose)

1 timed session under exam conditions (no pausing, no scrolling notes).
1 marking session comparing to model answers (highlight what you missed).
1 gap-fix session to rebuild weak areas with targeted questions.
1 short recap to consolidate definitions, proformas, and key standards.

If you are “studying” but not doing timed questions weekly, you are practising comfort, not performance.

4) Online exam readiness

Online assessments add friction: layout, tools, exhibits, and time pressure. The solution is not anxiety. The solution is rehearsal.

Do this before exam day

Prepare a quiet, clear workspace (remove unrelated materials if the assessment is closed book).
Practise typing structured answers (headings, short paragraphs, clear conclusions).
Practise calculations in the same style you will use in the exam (tables, workings, checks).
Build a “panic protocol”: if you get stuck, write what you can, flag it mentally, move on.
Get used to reading exhibits quickly, then returning to the requirement.

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5) How IAAP supports your progress

IAAP is built around professional development, credible standards, and practical progression. If you are studying now, your goal is simple: build capability, evidence, and momentum.

Clear progression

Move from study to professional membership when your qualifications and experience support it. No guesswork, no vague promises.

Professional signal

Student membership shows intent to employers and keeps you connected to a recognised pathway.

Verification support

When credibility matters, verification matters. Use IAAP verification to support confidence in qualifications and status.

Next best actions

Join as a student if you are currently studying.
Choose your qualification route and map outcomes to your schedule.
Find a centre for structured support and delivery.
Apply for membership when you meet the criteria.

If you want the fastest improvement this month: do one timed paper per week and keep an error log. Everything else is secondary.

Study tips FAQs

Short answers to the questions that usually derail revision.

How many hours should I study each week?

Stop chasing hours. Track outputs: timed questions completed, errors fixed, and outcomes mastered. A consistent routine with weekly timed practice beats inconsistent long sessions.

What is the fastest way to improve my marks?

Timed practice plus ruthless review. Do questions under exam conditions, compare to model answers, log errors, then drill the weak areas until they stop being weak.

I run out of time in exams, what should I do?

Allocate time by marks and move on when time is up. Attempting every question usually outperforms perfecting one answer. Practise this rule weekly so it becomes automatic.

How do I handle discursive or scenario questions?

Use the requirement as headings, apply your points to the facts given, and conclude. Avoid generic textbook paragraphs. Markers reward relevance and professional judgement.

Do I need to join IAAP while I am still studying?

If you want a professional signal, a clear route, and support while you build evidence, student membership is the sensible move. If you are not studying consistently, membership will not fix that.

Join as a student Contact IAAP Verification portal