People regularly use the term “The Model Student” within the education industry when describing what the ideal student would do when passing their exams with top marks.

However, the idea of the model student can seem a bit out of reach for some students. They may think that they will never get to that level!

I therefore wanted to explore the idea of the model student and work out what makes the perfect student within the accountancy world.  The hope is to potentially inspire a few students to reach a bit further within their own studies to achieve the best that they possibly can.

To start off with however, we need to give the model student term a little bit more context. So let’s first look at what makes an average student.

The Average Student

When talking about averages in education, most see this as the benchmark for their learning. In most cases it’s interpreted as doing just the right amount of work to pass. This seems to be good enough for most, therefore ‘it must be good enough for me’. For this reason, the majority of people, when asked, would probably associate themselves to this group.

But what is average when it comes to the accountancy training sphere? Fortunately, we have some facts of our own to help us outline what it means to be average.

From a recent Astranti survey, an average student looked something like this:

Study time per week: 5-10 hours
Total study time allocated: 2-4 weeks before exam
Mock/practice exams completed: 3+ exams
Materials used: Study texts, Mocks/Practice exams and Revision questions

An average student appears to plan their studies well. They use a range of different materials across what appears to be an acceptable amount of time in total.

Average students may also do well by searching for a wide range of sources and not just settling for the biggest tuition provider. They might also make use of some of the additional resources available to them. This includes reading blogs, forums and discussion boards across the web.

It’s debatable whether the average student characteristics make for the best course of action when it comes to assessing and planning. In some instances, the average student might be something to look up to, especially if we consider the disaster student!

The Disaster Student

It might become apparent in this section that the disaster student is not necessarily something to aspire to.

A disaster student might be highlighted by a few of the following traits when it comes to their studying:

Study time per week: <2 hours (depending on how late their studies are started)
Total study time allocated: <2 weeks before exam
Mock/practice exams completed: ≤1 exam
Materials used: Study text only

Additionally, a disaster student is normally the de-motivated type, who leaves revision to the last minute. They are also likely to be working completely on their own with no external input or guidance and potentially getting easily distracted.

The likelihood of a disaster student passing their exams first time is slim. However, they might never get to the exam as a disaster student would quite possibly be tempted to put off their exams until a later date! Of course, this is fine once or twice should other commitments arise. If it is down to a lack of motivation, then there is no saying how long a disaster student will delay their exams.

This factor of motivation might signify the difference between the three categories of students highlighted. It is a factor that brings us on to the model student.

The Model Student

Below are a few figures you can use to compare our idea of a model student with the others:

Study time per week: 10+ hours|
Total study time allocated: 6+ weeks before exam
Mock/practice exams completed: 3+ exams
Materials used: Anything available to them (if appropriate for the individual)

On top of these key characteristics, a model student will seek for additional input on their studying. This may involve visiting discussion boards (as the average student may do). However, instead of just reading, a model student is more likely to get involved with discussions. They may ask questions and share their ideas and opinions with other students and tutors where available.

High motivation from the outset allows model students to fully get their teeth into the study material. This enables them to understand and apply their knowledge when tested.

In terms of distractions, it is hard for anyone to shut themselves away completely when studying, so some procrastination is normal. A model student, however, is able to restrict themselves to other activities for an allocated amount of time between study sessions.

Where do you sit?

Hopefully you have read through this article and questioned whether you agree with some of the points made. You might have also put some thought into which category you are in.

If you think you are in the Average Student group, (or even the Disaster group!) then hopefully this has made you reassess what you can actually achieve. The Model Student group might not be as far off as you may have first thought.

To find out more about how Astranti can help you to become a Model Student, visit our website:

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