EXAM TECHNIQUE: Flashcards
what does paper 1 assess?
-theme 1 & 4
-100 marks
-35% of the qualification total
how many sections of paper 1?
2 sections
section A of paper 1:
-two 4-mark explain or calculate questions
-one 10-mark assess question
-one 12-mark assess question
-one 20-mark evaluate question
extra information about paper 1 section A:
based on a series of unseen extracts, which provide data and information on one or more local, national or global contexts
(section A tends to have a local context)
section B of paper 1:
-two 4-mark explain or calculate questions
-one 10-mark assess question
-one 12-mark assess question
-one 20-mark evaluate question
extra information about paper 1 section B:
all questions are based on a series of unseen extracts, which provide data and information on one or more local, national or global contexts
(section B tends to have a national or global focus)
what does paper 2 assess?
-theme 2 & 3
-100 marks
-35% of the qualification total
how many sections of paper 2?
2: section A and B
section A of paper 2:
-two 4-mark explain or calculate questions
-one 10-mark assess question
-one 12-mark assess question
-one 20-mark evaluate question
section B of paper 2:
-two 4-mark explain or calculate questions
-one 10-mark assess question
-one 12-mark assess question
-one 20-mark evaluate question
paper 3 pre-release:
-focuses on a broad context, such as an industry or market in which businesses operate
-purpose is to let you to do independent learning and research & become familiar with current business issues and trends
TIPS: how to use the prerelease
review past papers and prior pre-release materials
→ consider how the questions asked have been related to the research topic
→ review the origin, nature and range of new sources introduced in the exam
→ try re-phrasing questions to apply to the current research topic
compare the bullet points to the specification
→ do they suggest topic areas that may be covered in exam questions?
use online news sources and reputable data sources to gather information on market trends
→ market size, market growth and market share of key businesses
→ key recent developments that have appeared in the news
→ look at relevant sources used in previous exam papers
→ find opinion pieces on the reasons, implications and benefits/drawbacks of market changes
→ industry data from organisations that represent workers, businesses or investors in the industry
→ find out about HR and operations strategies, lots can be discovered from the recruitment section of company websites, including job profiles
organise your preparation
→ try to summarise your findings into easy-to-manage notes that you can revise before the exam
→ highlighting to draw attention to research points you’d like to be able to quote directly in the exam
→ mind-maps, flash cards or other visual techniques to commit key research items to memory
what does paper 3 assess?
-focused on all four themes studied throughout the course
-100 marks
-30% of the qualification total
-made up of two sections
section A of paper 3:
further unseen quantitative and qualitative stimulus materials related to the industry or market’s broad context are provided at the start of Section A
questions in section A of paper 3:
one 8-mark assess question
one 10-mark assess question
one 12-mark assess question
one 20-mark evaluate question
section B of paper 3:
further unseen quantitative and qualitative stimulus materials related to at least one strand within the context provided, such as a particular business
questions in section B of paper 3:
one 8-mark assess question
one 10-mark assess question
one 12-mark assess question
one 20-mark evaluate question
skills you need to demonstrate in responses:
-knowledge
-application
-analysis
-evaluation
skills you need to demonstrate in responses: knowledge
-understanding key business terms, concepts, formulas, theories, methods and models
-making relevant points, such as stating a feature, benefit, drawback or implication
skills you need to demonstrate in responses: application
-using key business formulas in an appropriate context
-the use of market data or business information from stimulus material to support a point
skills you need to demonstrate in responses: analysis
-developing logical chains of reasoning, showing cause and effect, impacts and outcomes
-the best analysis considers consequences and impacts for individuals and organisations of external and internal influences
skills you need to demonstrate in responses: evaluation
-showing judgement, weighing up the relative importance of factors, comparing points of view or recommending a course of action
-needs to be balanced, which requires both sides of an argument to be considered in context
4 mark question: calculate
(appear in papers 1 and 2 only)
one mark is available for knowledge - formula
three marks available for application
4 mark question: explain
-one mark is available for knowledge
-two marks for application (information from the case study applied to the question)
-further mark is available for analysis
8 mark question:
in paper 3 only
-two marks available for knowledge, -two for application
-two for analysis
-two for evaluation
steps of answering an 8 mark question:
1) definition of key term
paragraph 1
2) strong point
3) include context (data, calculation, business feature, trend)
4) develop a chain of reasoning that develops the point logically (X,Y,Z)
paragraph 2 - COUNTER
1) logical, relevant counterpoint
2) further chain of XYZ reasoning, with context
(REPEAT)
no conclusion - evaluation marks are, instead, awarded for effective balance
10 marker structure:
1) definition
PARA 1:
-strong point
-explain the point (chain of reasoning) using case study information
-link the point and it’s effects back to the question
PARA 2 - counterbalance
-opposing point that is specific to original point or brings in new information (eg: something is more important)
-explain the point (chain of reasoning) using case study information
-link the point and it’s effects back to the question
10 marker conclusion:
CONCLUSION:
-are there any context-specific reasons for your choice?
-do you have all of the information required?
-does your answer depend on any factors?
might your decision be different in the long term?
12 marker structure:
[SAME GENERAL STRUCTURE AS 10 MARKER APART FROM CONCLUSION]
12 marker conclusion:
supported judgement → should be the most developed section of your response
-any context specific reasons?
-how does the choice contribute to any objectives?
-internal or external factors, short term, long term?
-the views of different stakeholders
-do you have all of the information required to make a reliable recommendation?
-dependencies?
[must reference earlier points & add new information)
20 marker information:
-should be a full page
-four marks are available for knowledge
-four for application
-six for analysis
-six for evaluation
[SAME GENERAL STRUCTURE AS 10 MARKER APART FROM CONCLUSION]
20 marker structure:
definition
1st choice
-make a point in support
-explain & develop a chain of reasoning, using case study information
-link the benefit to business objectives
COUNTER:
-drawback of choice/reason for failure/more important factor
-explain & develop a chain of reasoning, using case study information
-link the drawback to business objectives
2nd choice
[SAME STRUCTURE)
CONCLUSION
how to write a 20 marker conclusion
compare argument strengths and weaknesses directly, considering which might be most effective in meeting business objectives
M - any context specific reasons
O - how does the choice contribute to any objectives
P - product features
S - situation (internal or external factors, short term, long term)
