If you think that all that matters in accounting is 1234567, you will be proven wrong today.
The process of balancing the figures on both sides of the account requires the mastery of various accounting concepts and theories.
This means you can't escape from reading and memorizing in order to have a successful application of what you have learnt for your accounting exams and during actual real-life situations in the future.
For instance, when you look at the overview of your STPM Accounting paper format, the questions are clearly divided into two categories:
- Category 1: Description and elaboration of Accounting concepts
- Category 2: Calculation and tabulation of accounts based on given case studies
This means candidates have to score well for both categories throughout the 3 semesters to achieve a high grade for this subject.
In this article, we'll be looking at various revision and examination tips that you can utilize for this paper in terms of proven studying methods, reviewing of marking scheme of your STPM Accounting papers, private tutoring and what to take note of during your actual exam.
Effective Ways To Memorize Accounting Terms For Your STPM Perakaunan Short Structured Questions
Many students have rejoiced ever since the STPM assessment changed from the terminal system to the modular system in 2012. That's because the syllabus for each subject has now been broken down into 3 semesters, where they can focus and prepare better on selected topics each semester.
For STPM Perakaunan, candidates are required to learn 6 different topics each semester. So let's explore some tips to memorize the topics better.
a) Write down your own notes
Many students tend to avoid writing their own notes because they feel that it is a waste of time. However, the act of taking down notes actually aims to create a repetition routine while you are studying. After reviewing the topics from your textbooks, slides or videos, try to list down the key points in your own words on paper/in a notebook.
During this process, you are naturally memorizing and simplifying the topics over and over again. There are many educational research that discovered writing by hand enhances your overall comprehension and memory retention.
This could be the reason why you will find it easier to write your answers in your actual exams when you have encountered a similar topic that you have previously made note of. Somehow, your brain will send a signal to you of this similar memory while you're answering the papers.
b) Create flashcards on Accounting concepts
Another creative way to make the memorisation process fun is to make your own glossary flashcards. You can list down the Accounting concepts/theories on the front and back of coloured cards. It can act as a wonderful stimulation and association studying tool during your revision.
For instance, you can use different colours for different topics. When you are memorising them with flashcards, it also helps you to objectively measure your progress. You can only turn the card over if you have successfully listed the answer or paired them correctly. Apart from that, you can also use images or creative acronyms instead of just words to help you memorise better.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
c) Participate in group study/teach a friend
If you are someone who prefers an engaging learning environment, you can join a STPM Accounting revision group among your classmates/friends. All of you can take turns to guide each other on different chapters and concepts.
For instance, you can teach your friends about Liabiliti and Ekuiti while your friend can teach you on a different topic like Rekod Tidak Lengkap dan Catatan Tunggal.
Explore these STPM Perakaunan reference books and past year questions while doing your revision too!
Why You Should Analyse The Annual STPM Report For Accounting Before The Actual Exams?
Surely, this article will not be complete without the introduction and strong recommendation of reviewing the annual Majlis Pepriksaan Malaysia (MPM) report of the STPM Prinsip Perakaunan.
Starting from 2012 up till 2020, the MPM has been releasing the report without fail on their official website.
In each report, you get to read about the overall performance of the exam candidates in terms of:
- The percentage of grades from A to F for Semester 1, Semester 2 and Semester 3
- General comments from examiners on the candidates' answers
- Specific comments on the candidates' performances for every question
This report is super useful for your exam preparation due to these 3 main reasons.
a) You get to take note of where candidates usually lose marks (commonly made mistakes)
The report details where the candidates usually make mistakes in both theoretical and calculation questions. For instance, the examiner mentioned that in a question on account tabulation, many candidates did not achieve the full marks because of these mistakes:
- Mistake of writing the wrong amount of figures into the table
- Mistake of copying the wrong account category during the final answer presentation
- Mistake of missing out on a certain amount and basic information about the account
b) You can read the general comments of examiners regarding the questions' difficulty level
This is a refreshing way to look at the actual questions of the past years' papers. You will learn a lot when the examiners break down the key points and requirements of the questions.
For example, some examiners pointed out mentioned that candidates have no problem answering correctly when it comes to direct explanation questions but they usually struggle with questions which require them to apply what they have mentioned earlier into the actual accounting tabulation.
c) You are able to review the complete marking scheme of the papers (comparison of answers)
Perhaps this is the most important reason why you should review the report. The report contains a complete and comprehensive answer scheme for all the questions.
You can certainly benefit from reading this as you are doing the past years' questions. After doing them, you can grade your answers easily as you compare your answers with the given marking scheme in the report.
Photo by Sarah Elizabeth on Unsplash
Not only that, you'll also be more familiar with the latest examination format of the STPM Perakaunan papers.
Where To Find A Good Accounting Tutor Near Me For My STPM Studies?
It's totally fine if you prefer to learn from someone directly during your exam preparation.
There are many students who have benefited from private tutoring from all parts of the globe, including Malaysia.
If you are looking for a reliable Accounting tutor near you, we highly recommend you to find one through Superprof!
At Superprof, students can meet many dedicated and highly qualified tutors from diverse teaching experiences and teaching methodologies.
Whether it is online Accounting lessons or face to face lessons at your home, Superprof got you covered.
It's super easy to navigate the website and start browsing the tutors' profiles. The Accounting tutors at Superprof are equipped to teach a wide range of educational levels including STPM and sub-topics of Accounting.
In terms of physical locations, you can find many amazing Accounting tutors in the following cities too:
- Kuching
- Johor Bahru
- Shah Alam
- Ipoh
- Kuala Lumpur
- Seremban and many more
You can also enrol for online lessons and learn Accounting effectively and flexibly anytime and anywhere you want. Just head to the Superprof Malaysia homepage and start browsing the tutors' profiles to kickstart your first STPM Accounting tutoring lesson!
Practical Steps To Take During Your Actual STPM Perakaunan Paper
We're now moving to the final stage. Your real exam day!
Take a deep breath. You've got this!
But before that, here are some reminders to help you ace your papers with confidence.
a) Carefully read and review the important keywords and formats of the questions
As you scan through the questions and pages, identify the important keywords and the correct formats that are required for each question, whether it is theoretical or calculation questions. You can start circling, highlighting or even making little notes on the questions so that it will help you in making the right question selection.
For instance, if the question requires you to calculate a specific value of an account, you can list down the formula first so that you can refer to that as you're planning the step-by-step working of the question later.
If the answer comes to you instantly as you review the question, write them down before you forget them. This way you can save lots of time and write your answers more smoothly.
Don't forget that time management is a crucial element in any examination!
b) Choose your most confident essay topics to answer
As you look through the questions, you should be able to tell which questions suit you better. Always remember that you only need to answer 4 essay questions for Paper 1 and Paper 2, and 2 essay questions for Paper 3.
Do not answer all the questions as the examiners will only grade the first 4 questions (Paper 1 and 2) and the first 2 questions (Paper 3) that you present in your paper.
Instead of doing another question, it's best to dedicate the extra time to the next step- checking your final answers.
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c) Check through your answers (correct units, complete workings, accurate wordings)
You're almost there.
Now it's time to do a thorough check on all the questions that you have answered. Be sure to check for the correct units and workings for your calculation questions and the tabulation of the accounts. Also, use the right terms and appropriate elaborations when you're answering theoretical questions regarding accounting concepts.
By following these tips before and during your exam, you're one step closer to tackling your STPM Accounting papers!
“It never gets easier. You just get better.” – Jordan Hoechlin
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