What is Exam Technique? I chatted to Gareth Olivier CA(SA) from Milpark – CA Connect about exam technique As lecturers, we talk a lot about the importance of exam technique when you’re studying and preparing for your exams. But WHAT is it?! I think this is an important conversation, especially for students who tend to…
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Learning starts off with you knowing nothing! I chatted to Gareth Olivier CA(SA) from Milpark – CA Connect about learning and studying. One of our discussion points was students who feel that learning is about knowing everything. I often find my students are VERY worried that they don’t know something quickly, or are struggling. They…
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“Am I too old to start?” I get emails from students all the time asking me “Am I too old to start my CA(SA) qualification journey?”. I answer this question all the time, I wrote a short article on it before as well, and I thought I’d chat to someone else for their perspective, on…
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Why did I chat to Milpark, CA Connect? Milpark, CA Connect offers an online, SAICA-accredited PGDA (CTA) and Bridging programme. They’re currently taking applications for their July 2020 programmes, so I chatted to them about their programme, and some advice on how any student can put themselves in the best position to pass. PGDA /…
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Table of Contents SAICA-accredited CTA / PGDA We all love choice, and students are always asking me what options are better for them, so I thought I’d find out more about CA Connect, to give you as a student more info. CA Connect has been assisting students with their CTA studies since 2010. In 2019,…
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How should you study for your Accounting exams? I’ve lectured thousands of Accounting students for over a decade, so I’ve seen a LOT of study tips about how to study to pass exams! Here’s some of my study advice: Find out what the exams want you to DO with the content you’re studying Identify and…
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Recorded Webinar A lot of students ask me for advice about how to structure their study plans for the final exam stretch. What should they focus on? How much should they revise? What if they’re not ‘ready’ for questions, or have forgotten Test 1 topics?! I’ve recorded a webinar I ran, to help you make…
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What’s “Right Now” studying? What are you able to do RIGHT NOW? What knowledge are you comfortable with RIGHT NOW!? Before any revision. Before any notes, material. What can you do RIGHT NOW? If you’re able to get marks for topics, and you’re comfortable with the knowledge now, why are you going to re-learn it?…
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“What do I need to do to pass?” I get asked this ALL THE TIME. Here’s my answer. It’s your ‘mindset’. Yes, you know this. But do you know what ‘mindset’ actually is?! Hint: It’s not a few motivational posters and lots of ‘determination’. So, I created a course for you to go through BEFORE you…
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If UNISA won’t allow you to repeat CTA, what are your choices? I have a number of students asking me what their options are if UNISA won’t allow them to register for CTA again (Or even if they’re looking for an alternative to UNISA). Just because UNISA doesn’t accept you, doesn’t mean you’re out of…
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What is exam technique? Your exam is a game, learn to play it Why do I say this? You have very limited time to write your exam You get a question you’e never seen You have to ‘gather’ as many marks as possible in a limited time You have to apply knowledge that you’re probably…
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Why should you care about MY thoughts? A lot of Accounting students I’ve dealt with over the years have voiced similar thoughts and feelings to those I’ve had (I’ve spent a LOT of time with UNISA BCompt and UNISA CTA students!). I want people to think about the pressure they put themselves under, and the…
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I’ve lectured accounting students for years, and I feel that students don’t REALLY understand their basic Accounting knowledge. Do accounting students know their ‘basics’? EVERY SINGLE Accounting lecturer I’ve ever spoken to (from first year to CTA) says that students generally fail because their basic knowledge isn’t great. I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard…
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For those of you studying Accounting at UNISA, and who’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll know that I try to give you information, motivation and guidance that’s relevant to you. I’ve got loads of experience, great lecturers on our team, thousands of students I’ve taught and talked to over the years… but more…
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It’s easy to accept that someone is proud of you when you’re successful. When you pass, reach your goal… of course people will be proud of you. But what about your failures? What about the times you didn’t reach those goals? I want to tell you this… “I’m so proud of you” Read that again.…
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In Part 1 of this series, I summarised the CA(SA) qualification journey, you can read that here. Here, I’ll discuss some reasons why students struggle so much, and why the pass rates I mentioned in Part 1 are so low. This can help others understand some of the challenges students face and may also help students…
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“What do I need to do to qualify as a Chartered Accountant?” I get this question ALL the time! Along with “How do I pass CTA?” I can help with both, but let’s focus on how to become a Chartered Accountant here. Here’s the basics: SAICA-accredited degree in Accounting SAICA-accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (CTA…
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I knew my qualification journey was going to be tough, but until I was actually ‘in’ it, I had no idea what it would take from me. I think it’s similar to having children, (so I’m told!). You think you know what you’re in for, and then they arrive… and rip your life and sanity…
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That’s a joke, right? I’m willing to bet most of you giggle a little nervously at the picture at the top of this blog… it’s funny… because it’s true! I get a LOT of UNISA CTA students asking me for advice on their studies. I can’t always help massively… obviously I have paying students I…
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Management Accounting is probably the subject in UNISA CTA that most students struggle with. Understanding why this is, can be the first step in figuring out how to approach it and get through it successfully. For those of you who know me, you know that Man Acc wasn’t my strong point in CTA. I sympathise…
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Background & Why this article is important I first wrote this article in mid-2014. It was going to be the first year that SAICA’s second Board Exam candidates would write the new APC exam instead of the old PPE exam. in 2013, I worked for a training company that wanted to develop an official APC…
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It’s nearly here. As much as you want it to be over, you have to go THROUGH it first! Auditing has never been a popular subject with students. To my eternal sadness, students don’t see the value of the skills and knowledge the way I do. I have to work so much harder when I…
DetailsIn my experience, Management Accounting is responsible for more nightmares and tears than any other part of a student’s qualification journey! For a lot of students, this is the killer. This is the hateful, painful, awful subject that threatens to be the monster that prevents them from qualifying. I imagine that there’s a lot of…
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I have fielded this question a lot over the years, from students who wonder whether their choice of academic institution may be the reason they haven’t been successful, or who just want some kind of reassurance that the next year won’t be the same as the last. This is a question no one but yourself…
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We’ve all been there. Holding your breath for days, weeks (feels like forever!) until you see those results on the screen. You want them, you don’t want them. You don’t want anyone else to see them first, but you don’t want to be the first to see them either! Dilemma! Tough as this is, I’d…
DetailsA lot of people will wish you good luck before tomorrow… I don’t want to wish you good luck, I wish you good preparation. I hope that your hard work pays off. I hope that you feel a sense of progress, a decreased sense of fear and a little more understanding of what you’ve signed up…
DetailsThe year has been tough. You’re exhausted from studying, tired of the emotional stress of waiting for results and wondering whether all the sacrifices and effort you’ve put into this will be worthwhile. Then the results come out. Your worst fears are confirmed, and even though you were partly expecting and dreading it, there’s still…
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CTA Class of 2021! Where are you going to study? Congratulations if you’re planning to study CTA in 2021. It’s a major achievement to get this far, don’t underestimate that. “Does it matter where I study my CTA? Will it matter which university I studied through?” is a question I get asked all the time.…
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