Leaving Certificate Accounting is one of the most rewarding subjects when you're well prepared, because the marking scheme awards marks for your workings, not just your final answer. That means even small improvements in technique can make a big difference to your final grade. Here are seven common mistakes to avoid.
1. Not Showing Your Workings — always show your calculations. Even if your final figure is wrong, you may still receive valuable method marks for showing how you got there.
2. Ignoring Layout — presentation matters in Accounting. Use the correct format for Final Accounts, Cash Flow Statements and other financial statements.
3. Spending Too Long on Difficult Questions — don't let one question eat up your time. Move on and return to it later if necessary.
4. Forgetting to Label Figures — clearly label all accounts and financial statements. Good presentation makes your work far easier to follow and mark.
5. Not Practising Past Papers — past papers help you recognise recurring question styles and improve your exam technique.
6. Learning Procedures Instead of Understanding Them — don't just memorise the steps. Understanding why transactions are recorded a certain way makes it much easier to handle unfamiliar questions.
7. Leaving Questions Blank — always attempt every question. Method marks can often be the difference between grades.
Accounting rewards preparation and practice. With the right techniques and regular exam practice, improving your grade is genuinely achievable — and at Leaving Cert Plus, our notes, worked examples and video lessons are designed to help you maximise your marks.