5 Mindset-Shaping Strategies for Accountancy Exams
Small changes to your mindset can have a BIG impact on your study style and study success. Why not give some of these techniques a go?
Why is mindset important when studying for professional accountancy exams? Well, an unhelpful mindset can affect your motivation, your wellbeing, and even your exam technique!
Below we set out 5 helpful strategies for exam success.
Adopt a Growth Mindset
Believe: “I can improve through effort, feedback, and persistence.”
View failures or hard mock papers as data, not judgments. Each setback = feedback to fine-tune your approach.
Reframe: Instead of “I’m bad at tax,” try “I don’t fully understand this tax concept yet, but I will if I keep working on it.”
2. Visualise Success
Spend 5 minutes daily imagining yourself walking into the exam, staying calm, recalling material easily, and writing confidently.
This strengthens your neural confidence pathways and primes your brain to perform under pressure.
3. Normalise the Pressure
Remind yourself: Thousands of people take and pass these exams every year — and many have struggled just like me.
Anxiety is normal. You’re not behind or broken — you’re doing something difficult, and that means growth.
4. Use a Wins Journal
At the end of each study session, jot down 1–2 small wins:
“Understood IFRS 16 better.”
“Completed 2 questions under time pressure.”
“Didn’t give up after a confusing tuition session.”
5. Set specific Goals in your study plan
For example:
“Review chapters x and x today.”
“Attempt one past paper under exam conditions.”
“Reflect on 3 weak areas after every mock exam.”
Small changes to your mindset can have a BIG impact on your study style and study success. Why not give some of these techniques a go? And let us know how you get on!
