Preparing for a professional exam is not about studying harder.
It is about studying right.
After a long study gap, coming back to professional courses like CMA, CPA, ACCA, or CA is challenging. I know this personally. After years of work, restarting my studies was not easy either.
In this episode, I have shared a five-step study approach that I learned from my mentor and that I am currently following while preparing for my US CMA exam.
You can apply this same framework to any professional exam.
Why Preparation Matters More Than Motivation?
If you are working full-time and planning to prepare for a professional exam, let me ask you one honest question:
Is studying again after a long gap easy?
For most accountants, the answer is no.
We have jobs, families, responsibilities, work pressure, and limited time and energy. Yet many of us still decide to pursue professional qualifications because we want career growth and the ability to create more value.
Motivation alone is not enough. Motivation comes and goes.
Preparation creates results.
After a long study gap, the biggest challenge is not intelligence. It is the lack of structure. I faced this problem myself when I restarted my studies.
Without a clear method:
We keep watching videos again and again
We forget what we studied last month
We revise everything only at the last moment
We feel stressed and overwhelmed
That is why a step-by-step study system is essential.
The 5-Step Study Approach for Professional Exams
This is the exact approach I am using for my US CMA preparation, and it works for any professional exam.
Step 1: Read and Learn
This is the starting point.
At this stage, you are introduced to new topics through:
Books
Video lessons
Live classes
Your only goal here is focused learning.
Do not multitask.
Do not worry about memorising.
Do not rush.
Give your full attention to understanding what the topic is about and what it is trying to explain. This step builds your foundation, so stay fully focused.
Step 2: Understand
After reading or attending a class, ask yourself honestly:
Did I really understand this topic?
If something is unclear:
Go back to the lesson
Re-read the book
Watch that specific part again
Do not move ahead with confusion.
Understanding is critical because what you do not understand, you cannot remember for the long term.
Step 3: Remember (Create Summary Notes)
Once you understand the topic, the next challenge is long-term memory.
Watching videos repeatedly is not a permanent solution.
The best method is to create summary notes in your own words.
I personally recommend the Cornell Notes Method because it is:
Short
To the point
Easy to revise
Your notes should include:
Key concepts
Simple definitions
Important formulas
One-line explanations
A few self-generated questions
The purpose of these notes is simple:
They should help you revise the topic in 5–10 minutes, not one hour.
Step 4: Revise and Recall
This is where real exam preparation begins.
Take a blank paper and try to recall what you have learned. This method is inspired by the Feynman Technique.
Write down:
Formulas
Concepts in your own words
Points you forgot
Recall helps you in the exam because:
You identify important information faster
You solve MCQs more efficiently
You structure essay answers clearly
Use flashcards (paper or apps like ANKI) and practise spaced repetition:
Alternate days
Weekly
Monthly
Last-day revision is not an effective strategy. Regular recall is.
Step 5: Practice
This step is non-negotiable.
If you do not practise MCQs, essays, or case-based questions, there is no reason to appear for the exam.
When practising:
Do not look at answers first
Create time-bound practice sessions
Analyse your mistakes carefully
Practice is where learning turns into confidence.
Try to practise each set of questions at least three times. This builds speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Study with a Practical Mindset
I study every topic as if:
I am an accountant in a company
The topic applies to my job
I need to use it in real life
This practical mindset makes learning more interesting and helps retain information for the long term.
Final Thoughts
When you combine these five steps:
Learn
Understand
Remember
Recall
Practice
You do not just prepare for an exam.
You build true mastery.
This approach works for CMA, CPA, ACCA, CA, and most professional exams. If you do not clear an exam in the first attempt, that is okay. Learn, improve, and try again.
Start with structure, not stress.
So, If you are preparing for a professional exam:
Follow this five-step approach consistently
Focus on preparation, not pressure
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💬 Comment below “IMPEX”
(IMPEX = I Am Preparing Professional Exam)
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Till next time, keep learning, keep improving, and grow with confidence.
Your friend,
Divyesh Dave
The Accountant Hub
