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How to Pass AAT Exams the First Time: Study Tips from a Practising Accountant
Introduction
Sitting your AAT exams soon? Whether you’re enrolled with a college like Kaplan or BPP, studying part-time around a job, or self-teaching at your own pace, passing first time can feel overwhelming.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be. With the right strategy, structure, and support, you can feel confident walking into that exam room.
In this post, I’ll share practical AAT study tips from the founder of OutsourceCloud who’s not only worked in industry but also supports AAT Level 2 and Level 3 students through private tuition and online training.
Let’s break it down.
Understand the concept, don’t just memorise
AAT exams often test your understanding, not just your ability to recall definitions.
For example, with accruals and prepayments, you need to understand the logic behind the matching principle, not just be able to define it. If you memorise rules without context, it’s easy to get tripped up when a question phrases things slightly differently.
Tip: Break down each topic into a real-world scenario. Think: “If I were doing this in a real business, how would it work?”
Practise with past paper style questions, a lot!
Many students read through notes and feel confident… until they try a past paper and freeze.
AAT exams have a specific style, especially in the synoptic assessments and numerically driven questions. Practising regularly in exam format helps train your brain to stay calm under pressure.
Action Step: Use practice questions after each revision session. Don’t save them until the end, they should guide your learning, not just test it.
Create a revision plan that works for you
Cramming doesn’t cut it especially if you’re juggling studies with a job or family life.
Make a realistic weekly plan that factors in your lifestyle. Revision doesn’t have to mean hours every day. Even 30 focused minutes, consistently, makes a big difference.
Bonus tip: Schedule “concept check-ins” short reviews of tricky topics at regular intervals. Spaced repetition helps long-term memory.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
There’s no badge of honour for struggling alone.
If you’re stuck on areas like costing, control accounts, or the dreaded depreciation calculations, getting support from someone who understands both AAT and the accounting world can be a game-changer.
That’s exactly why we offer extra training and tuition to AAT students.
Whether you’re already studying through a provider like Kaplan or college, or you’re self-teaching, our courses break down units into manageable, understandable parts, complete with practice questions, explanations, and exam preparation strategies.
Ready to Feel Confident in Your AAT Studies?
- Topic-by-topic breakdowns
- Practice questions and walkthroughs
- Real-world examples from a UK accountant
- Flexible learning to fit your schedule
Want Extra Help Passing Your AAT Exams?
Our online training, is designed specifically to support AAT Level 2 and 3 students, with Level 4 support coming soon. The sessions are created and delivered by our accounting practice founder who works with real clients and knows how to explain things clearly.
Whether you need help mastering a tricky concept or just want some added structure and support, we’re here to help you pass with confidence.
A final word of encouragement
You can pass your AAT exams the first time. With the right mindset, strategy, and support, you’ll not only pass but build a strong foundation for your accounting career.
Good luck, you’ve got this!
Meet the tutor & founder of Outsourcloud
This AAT training has been created by Marlene Mans, a qualified fianace professional and founder of OutsourceCloud accounting practice. With years of experience supporting both businesses and students, Marlene is passionate about making accounting education accessible, relatable, and empowering.
