Getting back on track

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 18 in AAT student discussion
OK so where do I start!!!

I guess I am looking for some advice really. I completed my college course for Technician level in June 2005. Unfortunately I completed all of the devolveds and projects etc but I failed the the three exams; DFS, PCR and PEV.

To say I was disheartened is an Understatement. I have basically taken from then to now off of my studies and gone way of the track as far as I am concerned.

I worked in a firm of accountants as a trainee for 4yrs but started a job as a bookkeeper for a very small company in July of last year. It seems that most of the time I am not even a bookkeeper but more of a secretary etc.

My eventual goal is to work for myself but I feel as if all of my plans are fading away, and feel as if my existing knowledge is going backwards, because I am not getting enough hands on experience.

Has anyone experienced this. I guess that what I need to do is miss the exams in June and take the three in December??? I am studying on my own at home now.

I bought a book Frank Wood's Business Accounting 2. Does anyone know if this is suitable in addition to my BPP Books?

Many Thanks for your time, I know I have gone on a bit.

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    If you had said you had fallen off a bike, I would have told you to get straight back on. Three exams at once is a big ask, I know because I am attempting it in June! Why don't you set yourself a target of one exam this June and work towards that. Targets should be challenging, but they should also feel attainable - perhaps you need to take it in steps?

    Just a thought, and good luck whatever you decide.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    I agree with Jackie, why not just take it one step at a time, perhaps if you are near a BPP centre you could see if they are having a revision course, or perhaps your local college will have one. But by doing one exam at a time you will find it easier to cope with. I have done my technician over 2+ years due to family and health problems, sometimes I wish I could have finished quicker, but what the heck its not a race and at 40+ any result is a good one, but the passes make you feel proud of the achievement.
    Just believe you can do it, get your heart and mind on the right track and you can do anything you want to.
    Good luck whatever you decide to do :lol:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    Thanks for your replies, it is good to hear other peoples opinions.

    So thanks again
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    I hate to run BPP down but I only used their text for one unit and found it really hard going - so much so I was tempted to leave the course altogether.

    If you are finding it a struggle perhaps try using different text - I swear by Osborne and I know a lot of others would agree. They are straight to the point and easy reading - why complicate things?

    Good luck and I wish you well, just don't give up.

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    That's the beauty of BPP's courses, they don't use the text - it's just there for back up. Their course notes are the best thing and you get revision notes too if you attend their revision courses.

    Annette
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    BPP got me through AAT and ACCA and their course notes are fantastic (in my opinion). They condense the study text into course notes and NEVER use the text on their taught courses. The study text is only used for reference material if you come up on something you struggle with and need extra clarification.

    If I were in your shoes I would use BPP as I found them brilliant but it's all down to choice.

    Kind regards
    Steve
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    It appears I may have caused some offence here which was not my intention so I apologise. I have received much support from the forums over the last couple of years and was merely trying to make a suggestion, not a recommendation.

    I attended an AAC which also did not use any text but devised their own course material. The suggested, but optional, reading list included BPP FTC, Frank Woods (for finance) and Osborne. All except Osborne & Frank Woods but including CIMA text were available on loan free of charge on a first come first served basis so we had the opportunity to sample all. All students used BPP for one unit and everyone complained about the format. The majority of students opted for Osborne as backup material and some, including myself bought the BPP passcards for Technician level - which I couldn't fault as they were, by their very nature, straight to the point.

    Personally for Technician level I had Frank Woods from Intermediate level, Osborne and BPP passcards so if something wasn't clear in one text it certainly was in another. The point I was trying to make to leahjane is not to be too hard on yourself but sometimes when something is presented in a different way it can be so much easier to understand. Both Peugeot and Bluewednesday supplied me with revision tools which prompted my memory. I had understood the original concept but got lost in processing the data - the tools kept me on the right track which none of the suggested text had done, illustrating my point that information presented in a slightly different way can suddenly make everything clearer to follow.

    It is personal choice and I was only making a suggestion but apologise for any offence.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    No offence taken Birdseyeview, I used Osborne books for foundation and found them really good and I would consider them for homestudy. BPP (at AAT level) tend to use a range of questions some of which are beyond the difficulty required at AAT which meant if you could do them then you were likely to pass.

    It's all a matter of personal choice as you said. The good suggestion has been to use a BPP revision course as they will focus you in the right direction.

    Annette
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Getting back on track

    I have always used the BPP books, although the odd mistake has been spotted in the past.

    I have also bought Frank Wood's Business Accounting 2 but I am not sure if everything is relevant.

    I also think the BPP Passcards are excellent.

    Can anyone recommend any good revision courses in the Herts area?

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