T How to Score a Distinction in the MIA Qualifying Examination

MIA QE
How to Score a Distinction in the
MIA Qualifying Examination
Hear it from those who’ve done it!
T
he Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA’s) Qualifying
Examination (QE) is an alternative route for graduates with relevant qualifications (which are not
recognised under the list of MIA’s
Scheduled Bodies) to become members
of the Institute. To encourage the taking of QE, MIA would like to feature inter views with five candidates who
scored distinctions in their QE papers.
We hope to motivate other candidates to
take up QE as a challenge to pass with
flying colours.
Lee Pa Wei ,
graduate in Bachelor of Commerce
(Accounting)
from Universiti
T unku
Abdul
Rahman successfully passed three
Lee Pa Wei
papers in his first
attempt in 2005. He scored A in one of the
three papers and completed the last paper,
auditing in September 2007.
“Taking the MIA QE was an initiative I decided to embark upon to enhance my career
after I graduated from university. Sitting for
the MIA QE was a great challenge: it’s tougher
and the syllabus is wider. Unlike examinations
conducted by other professional bodies, MIA
only allows you to complete the examination
within four years. Hardwork and concentration are the keys in beating this challenge.”
Lee encourages other candidates to keep
on reading and practising to boost their knowledge. This would help them succeed in this
examination. He added: “The MIA QE certificate completes your life and brings your career to a higher level.”
Tips: “I scored distinction for the Taxation
paper in MIA QE. I put in a lot of interest in the
subject since diploma; I believe the interest and
effort brought me to the distinction level.”
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Liew Waily, graduate of B.Sc. in Business
Administration
(Accounting &
Management) of
Walla Walla College, US, has
scored distinctions
in the Taxation
(TAX) and AdLiew Waily
vanced Financial
Accounting & Reporting (AFAR) papers.
“It took me four sittings to complete the MIA
QE. A lot of discipline and determination is
needed to complete the examination as I
couldn’t afford to attend night classes. I had to
go through self-study except for the AFAR paper for which I had to seek external help after
failure in my first attempt. The challenge is I
had to juggle between family, work and study.
So time management is very important.”
“For papers that require a lot of calculations
like TAX & AFAR, practising is of the essence
as it is the only means to measure our level of
understanding of the topic and give us enough
time to revise areas of weakness. Therefore,
doing a lot of past years’ papers from the MIA
and other Professional Accounting Bodies is
crucial. For Auditing and Law papers, doing
notes with key points and mind mapping
would help for revision.”
Liew admits that she actually doesn’t
have any tips in scoring distinctions as she
doesn’t know what is the scoring scheme.
“I hadn’t planned in my study to obtain an
“A”. My only motivation is passing at first
attempt. I was obviously not prepared in
my first Accounting paper! I didn’t know
the Consolidation enough! The thought of
having to re-sit exams gave me the bumps,
so in each attempt, I’d just try to give my
best by getting myself really prepared for
the examination.”
Tips : “I believe making a realistic detailed plan to ensure all topics are covered
and sticking to the plan is important.”
Teo Chiu Sia, graduate of B.A.Hons. in Ac-
counting
from
the
University of
Her tfordshire,
UK, scored distinctions for Taxation and Auditing
& Assurance Services.
She was not expecting to comTeo Chiu Sia
plete this examination within the time frame with so many
constraints. “I was working on a full-time
basis and did not really have much spare
time left. Therefore, in order to complete
the papers, I had to work very hard and
smart. Due to my tight schedule, I missed
several examination sessions.”
Having a six-month old baby and moving to
a new state were among some of the biggest
challenges she had to deal with while completing the last paper, Advanced Financial Accounting & Reporting. “I thought of giving up but
with the advice of friends and family members
as well as staff of MIA, I sat for the exam. I am
really thankful to them.” Teo says.
Teo advices other candidates to not feel
intimidated while in the examination hall
as this will affect their performance. They
will not be able to answer the questions
even if they know the answers. Candidates
should always feel confident.
Tips : “If you want to succeed, never give
up! Each minute is precious. Use it wisely.
With constant reading and practising, you
should be able to achieve it.”
Cheng Miaw Chin,
Cheng Miaw Chin
holds a B. Accounting
Hons. from the
Multimedia University and has scored
a distinction for the
Advanced Financial
Accounting & Reporting paper.
“Time management plays an im-
ACCOUNTANTS TODAY • May 2008
portant role while preparing and answering questions during the examination. Sufficient time should be allocated for revision. The short
term goal should be to complete a topic before moving on to the other.
Examination technique also plays an important role in efficient time
management during examination.”
In order to succeed in this examination, Cheng said that the
candidate should have a solid understanding of fundamental and
essential principles as well as their applications. ”If a tight working schedule is a major challenge, I encourage candidates to take
up classes to get systematic guidance from the lecturer, overcome
weaknesses and boost understanding.”
“Candidates should be well prepared in various aspects of the
subject. When tested with different types of questions, candidates
should stay calm and analyse the question before attempting to
answer it. Candidates should pay attention to the examiner’s requirement before answering. Managing emotion is also an important factor. Having a relaxed mind and the ability to be calm will go
a long way to improve your thinking ability. Panic will result in distraction and always act as an impediment to doing well in exams.”
Through the MIA QE, Cheng has learned and improved on her
technical knowledge because as she prepared for the examination she gained more knowledge that enabled her to be more competent. She advises other candidates to be determined in doing
well when facing the examination and to cultivate a positive attitude and confidence all along.
Tips : “The successful completion of MIA QE is an uphill task,
especially for working adults. However, it can be conquered with
self discipline, continuous effort, strong commitment and the spirit
of never giving up.”
Victoria Chooi Foong Leng, holds a B. Business in Accounting
& Finance from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. Victoria was
really thankful when she finally managed
to complete the last hurdle in her academic race — the final MIA-QE paper. “After weeks of burning the midnight oil, the
relief one gets from completing the last
paper is profoundly overwhelming. More
Victoria Chooi
so when you have to juggle work and studFoong Leng
ies simultaneously. However, nothing is
impossible. And I speak from personal experience when I say that
a little hard work goes a long way. But sometimes we get too engrossed in the process that we lose sight of the ultimate goal and
that goal is to get that prestigious qualification.”
In sharing her secret recipe for success, Chooi says, “Well, it’s nothing short of a tablespoon of diligence, perseverance and proper guidance, a cup full of initiative and a barrel full of desire to succeed. So get
out your utensils and start making that dish! And for those of you who
have your hearts set on getting nothing less than distinctions, start your
preparations early and don’t procrastinate. With just that, you’re halfway towards securing yourself a distinction already. Impossible, some
might say. My take on it? Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. So I
wish all the best to all you candidates out there. Dare to succeed!!”
Tips : Where there’s a will, there’s always a way! AT
May 2008 • ACCOUNTANTS TODAY
AT
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