Getting the best accounting A-level requires doing well in both examinations and in coursework. The key to doing these is to do well in class, be prepared and to do your best. Another key element is learning to pick your battles wisely. You have to also acknowledge that hard work is no guarantee to getting a perfect score, but it improves your chances significantly.
Most A-levels, outside of science, are structured in a similar fashion. Approximately half the overall score is based on coursework and half on examinations. The examination half tends to include a theory paper and an essay paper. Achieving good scores in both requires different skills.
First, when you choose to do accounting, it is important to study complementary A-level or AS-level courses such as economics, business studies and maths. These subjects teach you a lot of related skills. By studying these, you will also be repeating a lot of material, which will allow your brain to reprocess it and aid long-term memory of those pieces of information.
Classes are important because they teach you the basic information and skills you need to learn for your accounting A-level. Take notes during class and then transcribe the notes when you get home into a study book. When transcribing them, find new ways to express the same idea. By doing this, your brain is processing the information and it will make more sense in the long run.
In addition to doing this, read widely on economics and accounting. Begin with the finance sections of papers and move onto books. If you can get firsthand experience via work experience or a part-time job, this is only going to aid you in the long run.
The first element of your final grade that you will encounter is the coursework. Your good class work will keep you in good stead now because teachers are often more willing to help good students with their coursework. Choose a question you can tackle well and will enjoy doing.
Make sure you understand the question first and focus your research on finding an objective answer. Write about your research objectives and the information you unearthed. Then, make an analysis of the results, take into account failings in your research, and then draw a conclusion. Write your introduction last.
The final part of the accounting A-level is the examinations. Again, take advantage of the numerous practice papers your teacher will have, as she will help you learn the way the papers work, the kind of questions she likes to ask and how she wants you to answer them. Pay attention especially to the most recent papers because questions in the last three to five years are less likely to be repeated than older ones in your actual exam.
Next, revise thoroughly for your accounting A-level exams, but do not cram at the last minute. The brain needs time to process all of the information. On the night before the exam, prepare a summary sheet, just one sheet of paper written on both sides, and then have an early night. Maybe relax a little with a TV program or book. The rest will relax you and get your brain in gear so when you do the exam, you will be able to do your best.
