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2023 Undergraduate Mark-Up Final Assessment & Exam Preparation Terms and Conditions
DATE PUBLISHED: 12/08/2022
FUSION RECRUITMENT
Kindly contact Caitlin Jooste for more information
Link to the Cape Town vacancy,
Link to the Johannesburg vacancy,
OLDER
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Karabo Mokhali
PwC | Graduate Recruitment: Associate
Office: +27 (11) 797 74976
Email: karabo.mokhaliThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
right people. right size. right solutions.
Andri Correia CA(SA) RA
Head of Training and Development
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www.pkfoctagon.com
1. Eliminate distractions
Firstly and most importantly – don’t try to fool yourself. There’s a little chance that exam preparation with your friends will get you anywhere. Surely, it’s more fun, but your focus will be sparse and fluctuating as you’ll interact with others. Also, your friend’s progress might put you off as opposed to motivating you. Revising in a team is a good idea when everyone has already memorised materials – after that you can check each other’s knowledge.
Close all those social media tabs, put your phone on to aeroplane mode and try to study in a clean, uncluttered space.
Remember: A mess around you = a mess in your head.
2. Use your strongest sensation to memorise things
Each student has their own learning style. Some people like to draw mind maps and use bright stickers, others prefer listening to audio/video and writing long paragraphs by hand. Don’t follow what others claim to be effective – use trial and error methods to find out which technique works best for you.
For example, if you have a photographic memory that captures everything with vision, it would make sense for you to read more and pinpoint the most important bits with your flagging (little stickers, markers). If you’re an auditory type of learner, record the lectures beforehand and listen to them over and over until you memorise the material. Reading out loud is also effective.
3. Set yourself deadlines
Working without specific time limits (“I need to write 10 000 words by the next month”) can be highly unproductive as you won’t be able to track your progress and will likely panic if you feel like you’re far behind.
For maximum efficiency, separate your work into equal chunks and reward yourself after every small win, for example by watching an episode of a favourite TV show.
Remember: Don’t bite more than you can chew, rather approach your work realistically. Also, don’t give yourself too much time as the less time you’ll have, the more focused you will be.
4. Work when you feel most alert and efficient
Most of us hate waking up early but society and school have tricked us into thinking that this is the only way you can be effective. Well, what if you start working at noon and finish later, let’s say at 9 PM instead of being sleepy for the whole day and feeling exhausted by lunch?
Listen to your body clock and notice when you yawn less. Don’t torture yourself with Red Bulls and espressos, it’s better to sleep for a couple more hours and stay alert for longer later that day.
5. Don’t stress too much
Every time you feel anxious and demotivated, try to be realistic and consider several scenarios of what will happen if you succeed/fail in this particular task.
Will it be the end of the world for you if you don’t pass this extremely complicated manacc assignment?
Surely it doesn’t mean that you should not care, but don’t stress too much about the marks – ask any graduate what happened after they failed an exam and you’ll probably hear…: “nothing really”
6. Eat healthy & exercise
Alright, this tip is as old as time – avoiding sugary drinks and junk food can significantly boost your performance as your blood sugar levels won’t jump like crazy.
Go for fish, nuts, whole grains and berries. And no, that energy bar from a library vending machine isn’t the best option!
Sport is also a good idea, as your body will be thankful for any movement after long hours sitting by the desk and studies have shown that exercise positively influences cognitive performance.
Surely "ain’t nobody got time for that", but you still can squeeze a 30 min high-intensity interval workout into a schedule, right?
7. Save time by asking for help
This recommendation will be especially relevant for exam preparation and assignments – that’s when it will be helpful to follow your course pacer set out by the facilitators.
Instead of going through every bit of information available, trust your facilitators to guide you through the module quickly and efficiently.
Also, don’t neglect your lecturer’s office hours and ask them as many questions as possible while you have this option, especially on live sessions.
A facilitator will never under any circumstances give you assignment answers because let’s face it, the “oh yes” method does not work in an exam situation.
8. Motivation is the key
Lastly, no external motivation, like this post or inspirational quotes, will make you more motivated than seeing progress.
As human beings, we are usually capable of much more than we can imagine.
So instead of finding excuses to avoid studying or leaving work till the last minute, visualize a bigger picture.
List 3 positive consequences of achieving your goal and always keep them in mind. Note that these outcomes should be serious enough to give you an extra kick.
The hardest part is to start, as you’ll be waiting for the perfect moment and aligned stars.
…But once you start, you won’t stop (as Newton taught us!).
So stop overthinking and preparing for work, actually DO THE WORK.
CIMA Exemptions: Advantages & Disadvantages
Students may be exempt from certain levels in the CIMA Professional Qualification if they hold a relevant degree or prior work experience. This allows candidates with the right knowledge to fast-track the process of becoming a CGMA.
This may sound like the easiest way for anyone aiming to complete their studies in the shortest amount of time possible. However, like most shortcuts, this can often lead to greater pitfalls further down the road.
We asked some of our facilitators to give their thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of the exemption process.
Advantages
Time & Money Saved
The primary benefit of CIMA exemptions is the time and money saved by not having to complete the earlier levels of the qualification. Being exempted from a level also mitigates the risk of potentially failing and spending additional time and money on rewrites.
Get Extra Value for Previous Qualifications
You should always aim to maximise the return on any investment. The same applies to the countless hours and money spent on prior qualifications. By leveraging past experience, CIMA exemptions give you the opportunity to do just that.
Disadvantages
Knowledge Gaps
Each level within the CIMA qualification builds on the one which came before it. While your experience and past qualifications may deem you fit for an exemption, this could lead to knowledge gaps regarding smaller details or sections you have not have touched on in some time. It is for this reason that we recommend you speak to one of our admin team once you have received your exemptions and wish to register.
Out of Date Information
The CIMA syllabus is regularly updated to give candidates the most relevant skills and knowledge possible. Bearing this in mind, things you learnt in an Accounting degree 5 years ago could no longer be relevant to your CIMA qualification today.
Lack of Question Practice
Correct exam technique can often make the difference between failing and passing, particularly in the Case Study examinations. By virtue of not writing the earlier CIMA examinations, students miss out on this opportunity to hone their skills before reaching the later levels of the qualification.
In conclusion
Exemptions will save you time and money in the short term, however insufficient revision of exempted modules and exam question papers can often end up costing more in the long run. Our facilitators recommend that students take the time to review exempted course content and ensure they are familiar and comfortable with the concepts covered in these modules.
We're happy to assist any students looking for the process on how to apply for exemptions.
Simply get in touch with our support team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at +27(11) 038 5300.
Who is eligible for CIMA exemptions?
CIMA exemptions are awarded to students who:
How to apply for exemptions
Step 1 - Register with CIMA. You can only apply for exemptions once you have registered as a CIMA student. The cost of registration is £95 (roughly R2000, depending on the current exchange rate).
Step 2 - Search for your qualification on the CIMA database. This will give you an idea of where in the progamme you will be able to start from. You may still be eligiable for exemptions even if you are unable to find your qualification in the exemption search.
Step 3 - Send all relevant documents (qualifications/work experience) to CIMA (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for review. The exemption process is free and you should receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.
Step 4 - Wait for exemption feedback from CIMA. This can take anywhere between 10 to 20 working days, so we recommend using this time to acquaint yourself with the CIMA syllabus and course structure.
Step 5 - Accept or decline the CIMA exemptions. It is best to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of this process (above) before rushing into a decision.
