Inside the exam strategy of Chartered Accountants Ireland

Artcile by Cirrus with insights from Nicola Kurtz, E-Assessment Project Lead at Chartered Accountants Ireland

Preparing for professional exams isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you manage time, stress, technology, and the exam strategy itself. And for candidates training with Chartered Accountants Ireland, the road to exam success is paved with more than textbooks and tutorials. It’s a fully supported journey from registration to results, carefully structured to ensure students can focus on what matters most: doing their best.
To unpack how this journey unfolds, we sat down with Nicola Kurtz, who offered a behind-the-scenes look at what students face, how the organisation supports them, and what advice truly makes a difference.

A structured journey from registration to results
From the very moment students register for their exam, they’re not alone. Chartered Accountants Ireland ensures a structured and highly supported path toward exam day.

“Students receive ongoing communications from both the Exam Executive and course team,” Nicola explains. “This starts from registration and continues right up to the examination week.”

These communications include sample papers, practice materials, mock exams, and regular email notifications that ramp up starting about four to six weeks before the exam. One week out, candidates receive their confirmed exam time slot.

A particularly important checkpoint arrives about six weeks before the live exam: the Practice Onboarding Session. It’s a guided walkthrough on the platform so students can get familiar with the environment before the real thing.

And come exam day? “We have full-day support. From technical assistance to last-minute clarifications, students are never left to figure it out on their own.”

Tackling the tough stuff: time, tech, and stress
The early stages of exam preparation are rarely straightforward. For many students, the most significant challenges stem not from the content itself, but from balancing competing demands—starting a new work placement, establishing a study routine, and managing limited time. Without a structured plan, it’s easy for revision to be deprioritised.

In addition, many students are sitting professional exams for the first time, which can bring uncertainty. They may be unfamiliar with the question formats, unsure of what constitutes a strong answer, or unclear on how to manage their time effectively during the exam.

The transition to online assessments can also present challenges. Students who have only experienced traditional in-person exams must adapt to new tools, formats, and expectations associated with digital platforms.

That’s why structured support is essential. At Chartered Accountants Ireland, students are supported at every stage—from developing a personalised study plan and becoming familiar with the Cirrus e-assessment platform, to understanding feedback and using results to improve performance.

Support is not limited to online resources. Chartered Accountants Ireland hosts in-person student engagement events across the country twice a year. The second of these sessions focuses specifically on exam preparation, providing students with practical guidance, the opportunity to ask questions, and clarity around what to expect.

Making exam strategy second nature
Good exam technique starts long before exam day. One of the most valuable things students can do is start early—giving themselves enough time to absorb the material, build confidence, and practise applying their knowledge under timed conditions. That doesn’t just mean reading over notes; it means planning ahead and using the tools available to you.

A solid study plan helps break the workload into manageable chunks, and it gives structure to what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process. It’s also important to approach the exam itself with a clear strategy:

• Begin with the questions you feel most confident about to build momentum
• Allocate a set amount of time to each question—and stick to it
• Move on when time’s up, even if you haven’t finished
• Use all available time to attempt every required question—partial marks matter

To support this kind of preparation, Chartered Accountants Ireland offers a wide range of resources designed to help students feel ready and in control. The e-assessment microsite brings everything together in one place, including:

• Tutorial videos, PDFs, and step-by-step guides
• FAQs covering common concerns and technical queries
• Examiner reports that highlight common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Practice Papers and Mock Exams delivered through the Cirrus platform
• Additional sample papers in Word format for extra exam-standard questions
• Insights into question types, timing, and platform functionality

These materials aren’t just about revision—they’re designed to help students understand the structure of the exam, sharpen their technique, and reduce any uncertainty about what to expect on the day.

Even though mock exams and practice papers aren’t invigilated, students are encouraged to sit them under real exam conditions— quiet space, timer on. Treating practice like the real thing helps turn preparation into performance—and builds the confidence that makes all the difference when it matters most.

Mock exams that go the extra mile
Mock exams play a bigger role than many students realise—they’re not just practice; they’re preparation with purpose.

Every student gets access to subject-specific mock exams ahead of the real thing. These mocks are built to reflect the structure, style, and difficulty of the live papers, giving students a true-to-life testing experience. They’re available over a two-week window, with one attempt per paper.

Here’s how they work:

• Sit the mock anytime within the open exam window
• Get instant access to suggested solutions for self-review
• Review your answers and reflect on what went well—and what didn’t
• No pressure, but one chance only—so treat it like the real deal

What makes the experience even more valuable is that lecturers take the same mocks. After the window closes, they record their own attempts—on the same Cirrus platform—and walk through their answers. These recordings are uploaded for students to watch and learn from.

On top of that:

• Live webinars dive into each mock paper, with space for Q&A
• Students are encouraged to print their answers and follow along with detailed feedback
• Sessions focus on how to approach questions, avoid common traps, and maximise marks

And here’s the best part: the data speaks for itself. Nicola explains, “We track the engagement levels of those taking Practice Papers and Mock exams. We have seen a trend where students who engage in Practice Papers and Mock exams on the Cirrus platform have usually performed better on exam day.”

Serious about stress: emotional support matters too
It’s no surprise that professional exams can take a toll on students’ mental health. That’s why the support system extends far beyond academics. Students have access to Thrive, a well-being hub that offers:

• Confidential counselling and listening services
• Wellness coaching
• Mental health resources, including videos, podcasts, and articles on managing anxiety

There’s also a monthly newsletter focused on mental health, motivation, and revision tips, plus a student magazine, The Bottom Line, which features advice from both lecturers and examiners.

The Access Support Executive plays a vital role for students with disabilities, chronic illness, or temporary impairments—ensuring every student has the accommodations they need to succeed.

“Our approach is holistic,” Nicola explains. “We know students are juggling a lot, and we want them to feel supported every step of the way.”

When things don’t go to plan: how retake support works
Not every student passes the first time—and that’s okay. What matters is what comes next.

Chartered Accountants Ireland offers several tools to help students bounce back with clarity and purpose. After results are released, students can access a range of post-exam resources designed to turn feedback into action:

• Tutorial reports break down how students performed, with comments for each question and an overall summary
• Script access gives students the chance to view a copy of their submitted exam submitted exam
• Examiner reports provide insights into scoring trends, common mistakes, and areas where candidates typically lose marks
• Practice papers remain available on Cirrus to help students refocus their efforts
• Access support is also reviewed—students who may need accommodations for a resit are proactively supported

In addition, the Examinations Executive team plays an active role on results day and beyond—guiding students through their next steps, answering questions, and helping them understand their options. Whether a student needs clarification, reassurance, or direction, personalised support is available.

The goal is always the same: to help students learn from the experience, adjust their approach, and feel confident walking into their next attempt.

Final takeaways & advice
Prep like it’s the real deal.  Don’t just review material—simulate the full exam experience. Quiet room, no notes, timer on. The closer your practice mimics the real thing, the more confident you’ll be when it counts.

Get strategic with your study time. Start with what you know, keep one eye on the clock, and don’t dwell too long on a single question. Smart pacing and question prioritisation can earn you crucial extra marks.

Don’t ignore your inbox. Key exam details—including sample papers, login times, and technical guidance—come via email. Missing these could mean missing something important, so stay on top of every message from the Exams team.

Mock exams are your secret weapon! Mocks aren’t just practice—they mirror the live exam in structure and difficulty. Plus, seeing how lecturers approach the same questions helps demystify what success actually looks like.

Practise under exam conditions. As Nicola puts it: “Quiet room, timer on. The more real it feels, the more ready you’ll be.”

Use every resource available. Examiner reports, mock exam walkthroughs, Cirrus practice papers, and the e-assessment microsite are all designed to support preparation and bring clarity and confidence to the process. Engaging with these tools early—and often—can make a real difference.

Each exam level also has a dedicated Exams Executive who can provide guidance, answer questions, and help with next steps after results are released. Support is always available when it’s needed most.

Your well-being matters. Stress can be a real detriment to your exam performance, and preparation doesn’t stop at studying. Finding ways to reduce stress, such as being active, talking to a supportive group, or engaging in hobbies, is part of the process.

If at first you don’t succeed—review, reset, return. Failing isn’t final. With script access, examiner reports, and tutorial feedback, there’s a clear path to understanding what went wrong—and how to come back stronger next time.

Read more about Cirrus on their website here.