Time Blocking Strategy: A Smarter Way to Study for ACCA, CA & CMA USA

As a student of finance studying for difficult exams like the ACCA, CA or CMA USA, you may have understandably felt that same sense of panic wondering how you will cram in too many chapters into too little time. Between lectures, revisions, mock tests, and various distractions, the clock seems to move faster than desired.  

So how can you use time to your advantage instead of as an enemy? The trick is simple: Time Blocking. It is one of the most clever, impactful techniques used by elite performers of commerce professional programs. 

Consider time blocking as delegating a specific task to every hour. Instead of saying you will study today as a vague idea of a plan, time blocking will create an actual time frame with deadlines for every class or task.

For example:

9:00 – 11:00 AM → Financial Reporting
11:30 – 1:00 PM → Taxation
2:00 – 3:00 PM → Practicing Audit

A "block" is that segment of your time scheduled for a specific task and without multitasking, stress, or chaos. When you finish that block, you focus on the next task and move on. The process/simple organization of time blocking is extremely powerful.

Finance courses like ACCA, CA, CMA USA require more skill than just reading, they require understanding, applying, and revising on a regular basis. Reading Financial Management or Audit in an evening will not work.

Let’s look at how finance students can use time blocking to help:

- It builds focus. You train your brain to focus deeply on one thing at a time.

- It eliminates procrastination.

- When you wake up to a pre-planned day, there is less time to make excuses.

- It eliminates burnout. You'll incorporate breaks in your day and thus you're balancing your workload.

- You will see progress. Literally. You will see where your hours are going.

And lastly, it’s flexible. As the day becomes closer to upcoming tests or you get stuck on tricky topics, you can change your blocks accordingly.

It is not necessary to invest in elaborate productivity tools or costly planners to start time blocking. You can use a regular notebook, a blank piece of paper, or even a free resource like Google Calendar. The purpose is simplicity, not complication. After you understand the principles of time blocking, time blocking will become easy.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Start by compiling a list of all of your subjects/educational activities, including theory classes, mock exams, revision periods, and practice exams. Even small breaks, daily reviews, and relaxation take up a spot on the list. You want a full list because it allows you to take an inventory of your working hours, which will help you plan the day appropriately.

Next, give a time estimate for each subject or task. Be fair and reasonable. For example, Taxation might take two hours of serious study, and a revision of past topics might take one hour. Essentially, you do not want to overload your study schedule. It is better to study daily for less time than to overload all study on one long tedious session. 

And now you are ready for the main stage of building your blocks. Assign each subject or activity to a fixed time slot and ONLY use that block for that subject or activity. At no time in that block should you switch subjects, or check your phone, or any other activity, for that matter. For example, if the block 9:00 - 11:00 AM is financial reporting work, then devote your full attention to financial reporting work. When time is up, move onto the next block. Eventually, this will begin training your brain for deep focus.

Your brain requires a break, just like it requires focus. Plan for brief breaks, preferably 10 minutes during lengthy sessions and perhaps a few minutes after each hour. During this break, you can stretch, snack, or take a short walk. These brief pauses rejuvenate your brain and allow you to retain what you had previously learned when you return to your studies.

No plan is perfect from the outset. Once you have planned and established time blocks, you should evaluate these time blocks on a weekly basis to assess what is working for you and what is not. You may discover, for example, that you actually need more time for some things than others, or that you study in the evenings better than in the mornings. Also, remember to adjust your blocks as your syllabus changes, exam dates change, etc. Flexibility is very important in implementing time blocking as a permanent activity. 

Follow the above steps, and you will slowly become comfortable in a routine. Not only will your study hours be better allocated, but you will find that you have less stress and provide greater satisfaction to what you are learning. Eventually, you will see your productivity increase along with your confidence while preparing for your ACCA, CA, or CMA USA exam! 

Here is an example of a day in the life of a commerce student studying for an accounting certification (e.g., ACCA, CA, CMA USA) 

7:00 – 8:00 AM: A quick review of yesterday’s notes. 

8:30 – 10:30 AM: Financial Reporting. 

11:00 – 1:00 PM: Taxation (practicing exam mock questions). 

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Audit (exam mock questions). 

3:30 – 4:00 PM: Break / relax. 

4:00 – 5:00 PM: Plan and prepare for tomorrow. 

Note the clear objective in each study period, and the opportunity to recharge in between. 

Time blocking does not mean studying every hour of every day; rather, it is studying smarter. Structure your time for more focus, consistency, and enjoyment in your studying time.  

Whether you are pursuing your ACCA exam, preparing for CA, or aiming for CMA USA, this will help you to balance your study time and find confidence in your study schedule.  

Grab a planner, block your hours, and ensure every minute is put to use because your first step is mastering your time, and that will result in mastering your career in finance.

1. Are there exemptions in the ACCA course for CA or CMA students?
Certainly. Students who have completed the CA or CMA qualifications may have exemptions for certain ACCA papers. The specific number of exemptions will depend on the subjects you have completed and the level of qualification that you have. You can refer to the official ACCA Exemption Calculator on the ACCA Global website to learn the exemptions you qualify with.

2. How many hours should I study every day to clear the CA Foundation?
This is difficult to determine, as every student is different, however, most students aiming to prepare for the CA Foundation will target four to six hours of productive study every day. This may extend to eight hours when students are in revision or close to exams. The key point is to be disciplined—studying a bit every day is better than cramming for the last minute.

3. How to use the ACCA study planner?
The ACCA Study Planner is a free application which can help you to manage your preparation for exam date and subjects. You can select your target exam session, subject papers, and the planner will create a weekly study plan. The planner also includes reminders, progress checklists, and revision tips to help you stay on top of things as you move through your preparation plan until exam day.

4. How many hours should I study for ACCA every day?
Most ACCA students schedule to study 2 to 4 hours a day normally, and up to 6–8 hours when revision or exam time arises. The important thing is to strike a balance and consider time for theory, practice, and relaxation. Using well-defined methods like time blocking can help to work smart and keep that time productive and stress-free.