Background:
I completed ACCA in June 05 and passed core papers at first attempt. I averaged over 66% in all papers at ACCA and 71 for 3.6. There is no easy way to pass 3.6, you need to focus and listen to lecturer. I was taught by Navzar at FTMS and found him excellent. He designs his Mock questions around each exam and knows the syllabus very well. This helps greatly as the syllabus is huge.

A study Technique - Break syllabus into 2 parts
1) FRS's/Current issues
Passing 3.6 begins at 2.5. If you have a good understanding of FRS's at 2.5, passing 3.6 is a lot easier. I would advise each student to use the lecture notes as first point of understanding (ignore Text books as they are out of date) and summarise all FRS'S into a smaller pocket sized reference book (Takes time but worth it) and continually read this book up to the exams. (As a general technique, I did this for all my papers - Mind mapping) By doing this, when you get difficult exam questions, you are able to recite what you summarized, as you understand the concepts. It is much more difficult to recite lecturers work. This becomes vital at 3.6.

How to Study? There is only one way to pass 2.5/3.6 and that is through active learning. This is what takes up a huge amount of study time but you need it for speed in exam. I believe most people fail because they do not do enough questions, re bad exam technique.

Remember this paper is difficult but not impossible. Many people have passed before you and many will after you. If you have passed 2.5 well, the jump to 3.6 is not too bad.

You need to do as many questions as possible without referring to answer!!!!
Its better to get it totally wrong as this is practice, not the exam.
You can not do enough questions, so Practice, Practice, Practice........

2) Consolidation - Technique is vital

Firstly, Listen to you lecturers advice. They have done this many times before and know the examiners style. Ignore them at you peril.

This is just a game of hours studied. If you put in enough hours, then you will know enough to pass. You will never finish the question, so focus on the easy marks. Some questions take 2.5 hours and you only have 45 minutes. Technique is everything!!!!

Again, active learning!!

You need to do as many questions as possible. I did Some questions 5 times, maybe more. You must not look at answers until you can not do anymore!!!! This is vital. I never got any question 100% right, its impossible, especially in exam conditions.

You need to ensure you can write out Balance sheet and P & L structures quickly as no marks are given for these. All the marks are in the workings.

This is not a difficult part of the syllabus and once you know consolidation, it’s just another consolidation........ Marks are to be gained on question 1.

Conclusion.

This paper is torture. The syllabus is massive and grows each exam. You need to know all FRS's well (Practice written questions) and current issues. You need to practice as many consolidations as possible.

This paper is not the most difficult in the syllabus but it has the largest amount of content. Start your revision early and summarise the FRS's. This really helped me.

Work hard, focus and work smart. The lecturer should focus you on important issues. 3.6 has no short cuts but each exam has different vital elements.

Remember be positive, believe you will pass and you will.

By Mr Incredible, an ex-FTMS student