Introduction

ACCA, or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, is one of the most respected global finance qualifications. It opens doors to high-paying jobs, international careers, and leadership roles in finance. But as many aspirants realize, passing ACCA is not just about studying hard. It is about studying smart and writing papers effectively.

Every year, thousands of talented students fail ACCA exams, not because they do not understand the concepts, but because they make avoidable mistakes in exam writing. These mistakes often cost them marks and, in some cases, even delay their certification.

In this blog, we will explore how not to write ACCA papers based on real student experiences, expert tips, and insights from platforms like Finstreet, which provide structured guidance to help aspirants avoid common pitfalls. By understanding what not to do, candidates can develop smart strategies, improve accuracy, and maximize their scores.

Story: Riya’s First Attempt

Let us take the story of Riya, an ACCA aspirant from Mumbai. She had scored consistently high in mock exams but failed her first Financial Reporting paper. Her mistake was that she overcomplicated answers, wrote long irrelevant explanations, and ignored the command words in the questions.

“I thought more writing meant more marks,” Riya said. “But the examiner only looked for concise, accurate, and structured answers. I lost points for going off-topic and not using proper accounting terminology.”

Riya’s experience is not unique. Many candidates, despite understanding the concepts, fail to translate knowledge into marks because of poor exam strategy. Recognizing these common mistakes is the first step toward success.

Ignoring the Command Words

ACCA questions are designed with specific command words such as calculate, explain, evaluate, and recommend. Many students misinterpret these, leading to either overly descriptive answers or insufficient calculation work.

For example, a question may ask: “Calculate the weighted average cost of capital and explain its relevance for the firm.” Some candidates only calculate WACC but fail to explain its application. Others spend paragraphs discussing corporate finance theory but omit the calculation entirely.

The key is to identify the command words and respond precisely. Understanding whether a question is asking for a calculation, an explanation, or an evaluation can save valuable time and prevent marks from being lost. Platforms like Finstreet provide exam-focused mock questions that train students to interpret command words correctly and structure their answers to match what examiners are looking for. (https://www.finstreet.in)

Poor Time Management

Time management is one of the most overlooked skills in ACCA exams. Some students spend too much time on one question, leaving insufficient time for others. Others rush at the end, making careless mistakes in calculations or skipping explanations.

Consider Arjun, an ACCA student preparing for the Management Accounting paper. He spent forty minutes on the first question, which was worth only fifteen marks, and rushed the remaining three questions. As a result, he lost twenty to twenty-five marks unnecessarily.

To avoid this, candidates should practice with timed mock exams. Allocating time according to the marks of each question ensures that no part of the paper is neglected. Finstreet’s mock exams and timed practice sessions are excellent tools for mastering time management while building exam confidence. (https://www.finstreet.in)

Overcomplicating Answers

Many students believe that writing long, complicated answers impresses examiners. In reality, ACCA papers reward clarity, relevance, and structured responses. Examiners appreciate concise answers with logical flow, correct calculations, and accurate references to accounting standards.

For example, in a Financial Reporting question on revenue recognition, a student wrote a two-page explanation of IFRS 15, including examples from multiple industries. While technically correct, the examiner marked only the relevant calculation and one-line explanation. Overwriting wasted valuable time and effort.

The strategy should be to focus on direct answers, structured format, and relevant explanations. Finstreet’s courses teach students how to write exam-perfect answers with model solutions and marking schemes, showing exactly what examiners expect.

Ignoring the Marking Scheme

The ACCA marking scheme is a crucial guide for understanding how marks are allocated. Many students do not study past examiner reports or marking schemes, resulting in wasted effort on areas that carry fewer marks.

For instance, a Management Accounting question may have three sub-parts, each worth ten marks. Students often spend excessive time explaining theory worth three marks while ignoring the calculation worth seven marks.

Practicing past papers and reviewing examiner feedback is critical. Finstreet provides detailed exam walkthroughs and marking scheme analysis, helping students prioritize sections with higher marks and maximize their scores.

Failing to Show Work

ACCA is not just about getting the correct answer; it is about showing working steps, especially in calculations. Even if the final answer is wrong, marks can often be awarded for the correct method. Many candidates skip steps to save time, only to lose marks unnecessarily.

For example, in a costing question, a student directly wrote the final overhead rate without showing calculations. The answer was partially correct, but the examiner could not award full marks because the methodology was unclear. Showing step-by-step calculations demonstrates understanding and can earn valuable marks even if minor errors occur.

Table: Common ACCA Mistakes and Solutions

Real-Life Example: Learning from Mistakes

Sohail, an ACCA aspirant from Dubai, failed his first attempt at Strategic Business Reporting. He wrote lengthy answers, misunderstood command words, and ignored the marking scheme. After joining Finstreet, he began practicing structured solutions, analyzing examiner feedback, and following step-by-step calculation methods. On his second attempt, Sohail cleared the exam with distinction.

“I realized that it is not about how much I write,” Sohail explained. “It is about writing smart, showing method, and focusing on what examiners actually want. Finstreet helped me understand that and gave me practice papers that were very similar to the real exam.”

Using Finstreet for Exam Success

Finstreet provides structured ACCA preparation, including detailed study notes, model answers, mock exams, and examiner feedback analysis. Students learn not just concepts but how to present answers effectively. Using Finstreet, candidates practice writing answers in the proper format, manage time efficiently, and focus on high-mark sections.

The platform also offers real-world case studies, enabling students to connect theory with practice. This makes learning engaging, memorable, and directly applicable in exams. With resources available online, Finstreet allows aspirants to study anytime, anywhere, and track progress to ensure exam readiness. (https://www.finstreet.in)

Conclusion

ACCA is one of the most valuable qualifications for finance professionals, but success in exams is not just about understanding accounting theory. Many students fail because of poor exam strategy, overcomplicating answers, ignoring command words, mismanaging time, or not following the marking scheme.

The key to passing ACCA exams is writing answers that are clear, concise, structured, and aligned with what examiners are looking for. Candidates should focus on applying knowledge, showing methodology, and prioritizing high-mark questions. Learning from mistakes, practicing with past papers, and leveraging resources like Finstreet can dramatically increase chances of success.

Finstreet provides structured courses, mock exams, step-by-step guides, and case studies to help ACCA aspirants avoid common mistakes and write exam-perfect papers. By using such tools and following smart exam strategies, students can not only pass ACCA but do so efficiently, confidently, and with higher scores. (https://www.finstreet.in)

Success in ACCA is about smart preparation, practical application, and effective presentation. Avoiding common mistakes is the first step to ensuring that your hard work translates into results, and platforms like Finstreet make this journey smooth, structured, and achievable.