I got a lot of useful comments from my first post on the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG) especially from people who were considering taking the examinations. Based on those comments I’ve decided to give out some tips for passing an ICAG paper.
1. Get the official ICAG textbooks. ICAG textbooks are essential to pass the examination. For each paper there is a textbook which contains the syllabus and the marks that will likely be allotted to each topic in the exam. The books are also rich in trial questions with answers so that you can practise. You can get the textbooks from the ICAG offices nationwide.
2. Get Tuition. There are many places you can go for ICAG tuition. You can go to UPSA or the ICAG school at their headquarters at East Legon. But there are several other places where you could find tuition. Tuition is necessary especially if you are unfamiliar with the paper you are going to write.
3. Get and solve past questions. I cannot overemphasize the importance of preparing for the exam by solving past questions. ICAG has a tendency of repeating questions. Also, practising by timing yourself will give you the speed and accuracy that is needed to pass. You can find past ICAG questions and answers on their website.
The first three tips are meant to get you prepared for taking the examination. The next tips will help you pass when you’re actually taking a paper.
4. Read and plan carefully. ICAG papers gives students 15 minutes to read and plan the paper before they are required to start work. In those 15 minutes it is important to read through the whole paper and decide the questions which you will tackle first and finally how much time you will allot to each question.
5. Start with the easiest questions. This is standard exam advice. Starting with the easiest questions saves time, builds confidence and creates a positive impression in the mind of the examiner marking.
6. Tackle every question. It is better to tackle every question decently than answering some brilliantly and leaving some unanswered. ICAG papers are usually demanding of much work in a little time. Do not spend time over impressing on one question. Do what you can on each question and then you can return to impress when you have the time. Remember you only need 50% of the marks to pass a paper.
Finally
7. Do not let failure discourage you. Failing an ICAG paper is nothing to be ashamed of. It takes determination and getting over disappointment to qualify. Redouble your efforts when you fail and go back to tackle it. You will qualify.
I ve been reading your post and they are encouraging and eye opening
I love to take ur path n hoping u ll b a motivating block
Thanks for reading
Hi, pls am in kumasi and i intend to pursue the ICA here. Pls can u suggest any good learning centres here in kumasi for me? Thank you
Hi Silver, unfortunately I am not familiar with centres in Kumasi but I’m sure the ICAG office there can recommend a few
I ve been reading your post and they are encouraging and eye opening
I love to take ur path n hoping u ll b a motivating block
I ve been reading your post and they are encouraging and eye opening
I love to take ur path n hoping u ll b a motivating block
Thanks for reading
Please can I get your email? I have some enquiries to make from you if only you permit me.
Please can I get your email? I have some enquiries to make from you if only you permit me.
jwkuseh[at]gmail[dot]com
tHANKS FOR SUCH MESSAGES JEROME. ITS A REAL MOTIATING FACTOR. KEEP IT UP BOSS.
Really insightful for first timers. Thanks for your the post!
Thanks a lot for your encouraging tips
I want to start the ica course,currently i hold msc statistics,and want to know whether I would be exempted from writing some of the courses.If yes how many papers can i write in may this year?
Hi George, Check icagh.com for information about exemptions. It is possible that you may be given exemptions for some papers but you will most likely start from Part 1. All the best.
Hi,
What kind of student support does ICAG give to its students? The last time i checked from their website i realised it was difficult assessing ICAG’s students’ newletter unlike ACCA’s where information for prospective students is readily available for your motivation, how about? Wouldn’t you agree with that had it not been the exchange rate most ICAG students would have opted for ACCA?
Thank you
Price is only one of the considerations people make before selecting a programme. I don’t think one can conclude that price is the major determiner. There’s a lot ICAG can do to be better in communication, that I agree.
thank u am in wa , can you suggest any tuition centre for me?
This is very helpful,thank you Jerome for the tips.
Thank you very motivated
Good luck!
I hail you sir
Thanks for reading
pls, i want to know if finance and audit is a programme or they are seperated
There is an Audit & Assurance paper and a Financial Management Paper. They are separate.
Am Kofi,
I have completed Levels one, two and and the financial management paper of the the cima managerial level.
The cost involved to continue is now a block.
I also have advance dip in accounting and finance comprising auditing and taxation, adv financial reporting, financial management, and information tech.
What will be the exemptions available for me if l come to lCAG.?
Hello Patrick, it is unlikely that you will be given exemptions based on your CIMA papers, however you could be given exemptions based on your diploma. Visit any ICAG regional office for enquiries
when can i Register, and how do i do it?
Do visit icagh.com to get started
This is so helpful…thank you SIR.
Thanks for reading Charlotte
I really took a lot of advice from your reading since am planning to register next year! please can you advise me if is wise to complete my Masters before taking ICA exams or vice visa. Thank you
Dear Albert, it depends on why you want your masters. If you want one that will give you an advantage in the ICA exams, then you can do an MBA/MSc in Accounting and get exemptions in ICA. However, if you want to do a masters in another field, then you can do any of them in whichever order you prefer. Even concurrently
THANKS FOR THE INFO
thank you for the motivation but please how many exemptions will i be granted since i pursued BBA Accounting
I believe Part one and 2 papers out of part two
Please good evening, l’m in sunyani and want to find out when ICA will grant a pass in one paper in P3 instead of two papers at a time. Tnx
I don’t think so
Please do u take D7 in english
Kindly find out at the ICAG office in Accra
In Accra, any good place to start classes?
Try the ICAG school in East Legon
I thank I need to go back. Thank you
I think I need to go back .thank you very much very encouraging
Thanks for reading
Please, can the ICA course help build my career without any university degree on the job market?
Hello. I will recommend that even with ICA you get a university or post-graduate training since it’ll build communication, research and IT skills that you need to be a good accountant
Thanks for the information, it is really encouraging
Thanks a lot
Pls is this time too late to enrol in ICAG to take the May 2018 diet? Today is 23rd January already
I don’t think it’s too late. Check on icagh.com
I am so motivated. i like your the objectivity you attach to your answers. Go higher.
Please will someone who has not been to any tertiary institution but have completed ica successfully be employed?
I hold bsc accounting in education and I know I will be granted an exemption in some of the papers but I want to know the number of papers I will be writing after the exemption
You will be exempted from Part 1 (4 papers) and 2 papers in Part 2
Pls will I be employed after successful completion of icag exams? Iam a teacher with Diploma and degree in education
Nobody can guarantee employment. However, having an ICAG/ACCA cert gives you an advantage on the job market
Pls where can you work after completion icag exams?
You can work in any industry as an accountant, finance manager, consultant etc
Pls what certificate do icag awards?
They award you membership of ICAG. To put it simply, they make you a chartered accountant
Please I want to know the total fees needed to complete cert one, I did business as a course in shs.
Kindly check icagh.com
Please where can i get ICAG books to buy?
At ICAG office at East Legon
PLS CAN U USE ICA PART QUALIFICATION TO REGISTER FOR NATIONAL SERVICE?
Yes
i find it difficult to download the past question
Have you tried at icagh.com?
i would want to find out if you qualify for national service after completing the CA program only?
Yes you do
when last did you assess the ICAG site. it seems to be down.
When will the fees for 2019 come out?
thanks boss
I’m a BSc. in Agriculture holder but find myself in the banking field interestingly. And I’m considering joining ICAG to help me go up the ladder; that’s how I found myself on your website via research. Thanks for all the useful information you shared so far which have given me the confidence to pursue it.
God bless you.
PLS CAN I APPLY WITH SHS CERTIFICATE
Yes you can
Please if one holds MSc in Accounting how many papers will he or she be exempted from level 2 ? Thanks !
Please does ICAG offer internship opportunities to successfully completed students?
How much will it cost one to apply for exemption with BCOM.
Thank you so much Jerome. God bless you greatly for this rich information, indeed you have cleared most of the doubts I had.
Many thanks Anthony
Hi Sir I have read your blog , its quite educative and informative, learnt a few tips . However, Am a student (level 300) considering of registering for the ICAG exams. Do you think its advisable at this stage of my career or probably after my schooling.