Before Chong Kai Zhen, a TAR UMT graduate, became the Top student in Malaysia and Second in the world for the Strategic Business Reporting paper of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) June 2026 examination, these were his constant companions that helped him get there.
It was important for the TARCian who graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Hons) from TAR UMT Penang Branch to make his own notes after going through the contents of reference books. This helped him to better understand the topics, instead of just memorising the answers.
After absorbing all the knowledge, it was time for him to undergo the test of answering mock examination questions.
“Answering the mock exam papers was an important part of my preparations. It allowed me to practise applying the knowledge and technical requirements covered in ACCA SBR to exam-style questions. It helped me identify areas where I needed to improve, particularly in analysing scenarios, applying the relevant accounting standards, and providing well-supported explanations. The mock examination also helped me improve my time management and answer-planning skills, as well as helped me familiarise myself with the online platform used for the actual examination,” he detailed.
On top of academic preparations, playing basketball every day is a must in the high achiever’s daily routine. “It helps me relax and refresh my mind. I believe it is important to have a clear and positive mindset when studying. Taking some time to play basketball allows me to reduce stress and avoid feeling frustrated or under too much pressure. After playing, I feel more refreshed and comfortable, which helps me concentrate better and study more effectively and efficiently.”
He also actively organises activities on campus, truly living the Beyond Education lifestyle at TAR UMT.
The high achiever’s ambition is to be a is to become a qualified and experienced professional and eventually open his own audit firm. He decided to pursue accounting and finance because he is a person who likes to understand how businesses operate and how financial information is used to make decisions. As a person who frequently asks questions to learn from different perspectives, he believes this personality suits the profession of accounting and auditing, as it demands one to be curious and ask the right questions to understand the reasons behind financial information.
After completing his secondary education in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jalan Damai, Kai Zhen joined TAR UMT, first pursuing his Diploma in Accounting before progressing to his degree programme.
