Your learning style is the way in which you process, comprehend and retain the information you’ve studied during your accountancy exam revision.
There are several different learning styles, with four main categories covering the different generalised methods of learning: visual, auditory, read/write and kinesthetic.
We all learn in unique ways, so it’s imperative that you find the way that clicks for you, whether that is using one or a mixture of the primary techniques.
During my Accounting Exam Accelerator Programme, I can help you assess each learning style to help you discover what is best for you and ultimately improve your revision success.
Through trial and error, you can see which of these styles are beneficial to your absorption of information, but first, here are some of the ways you can study under each learning style.
Visual Learning
Visual learning is pretty straightforward, encompassing everything that involves using visual cues to aid your information retention.
From attention-grabbing images that will stick in your mind to graphic organisers such as creating a mind-map that will help you access and understand new information, there are a variety of ways you can implement visual learning in your studying.
Whilst this method might not be applicable to every part of your accountancy exam revision due to the need for a physical image or association to an existing object, it’s important to remember that you can combine all styles across your studying, so this might be perfect for a handful of topics and unsuitable for the rest.
Techniques
- Use a colour scheme to highlight key terms
- Replace words with initials or symbols
- Draw pages you’ve revised from memory
- Create charts, graphs, mind maps and diagrams
Auditory Learning
Covering every oral source of information, Auditory Learning involves listening to and speaking about topics to help digest and retain information.
It can often be draining to read and re-read content, with your brain becoming disengaged, so trying a new technique such as watching videos or reading your notes aloud can help you to regain motivation to continue with your studies.
You may find that lectures and group discussions are valuable tools when it comes to soaking in information, so replicate these auditory experiences at home to maximise your revision.
Techniques
- Record yourself reading your notes out loud
- Listen to yourself/someone else speaking on a topic
- Discuss a topic with someone else to expand upon your understanding
Read/Write Learning
If you find yourself learning more from traditional written and reading techniques such as note taking, you are likely to be more inclined to the Read/Write Learning method.
The least complicated method of learning, you’re simply taking the words at face value and aiming to remember them for the all-important accountancy exams later down the line.
This is a great way to remember lengthy written texts which feature a range of key information, but should also be mixed with the other three main methods to ensure your brain stays engaged with the content you are covering.
Techniques
- Repeatedly write your notes until you’re confident with the topic
- Test your memory by writing down what you’ve just studied without checking the page
- Reword/rephrase ideas to gain a deeper understanding
Kinesthetic Learning
Kinesthetic Learning is just a technical term for learning through hands-on activities and completing physical tasks.
They require figuring things out by using your hands, such as matching terms up with their definitions by placing flashcards next to each other in a pair.
It engages the tactile section of your brain and links physical representations to information, helping you remember facts through association of a task you completed or object you touched.
Techniques
- Relate real life examples, applications and case studies to help remember abstract concepts
- Redo projects you read about at home
During my time spent studying, I was initially a Read/Write learner, finding that this method helped me to reinforce theory and ideas, however, further down the line, I adopted both Visual and Auditory techniques through highlighting key words and reading my notes aloud.
By incorporating several methods into my revision, my learning became more effective and efficient, allowing me to spend less time comprehending one idea and delegating more time to other topics as well.
But as with all accounting exams, we have to do practical calculation questions and that entails completing questions, questions, questions!
If one of the primary methods doesn’t appeal to you upon first usage, persevere and continue developing the skills within each one to ensure you learn techniques you can carry through with you into your professional and personal life.