Exam Technique for Unit 4

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Exam Technique for Unit 4

• Getting it right 1st time round!

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New exams, old techniques

• 20 of marks available for knowledge
• Must be able to define all terms
• 27 of marks available for application
• Must be able to apply all terms to case study
• 33 of marks for analysis
• 20 of marks for evaluation

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Exam skills - knowledge20 of marks

• Read the question and define all the terms in the
  question
• Without knowing all the concepts in the syllabus
  you wont be able to understand the question!

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Exam skills - application27 of marks

• Application is about referring the definitions,
  business understanding and analysis to the
  business in the case study
• Is it a small or large business?
• A business or a Ltd /Plc?
• What product/service are they providing?
• Whats their market share?
• What stage is it in the life cycle?
• What is the products income and price
  elasticity?
• What type of customers are they targeting?

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Tips on getting application marks

• Consider issues that are unique to the company
• e.g. how competitive is the market, who are the
  customers / suppliers, what size is the company -
  how well does it cope with growth, what is the
  cash flow / profit situation etc
• Put your answer in the context of THE company
• Just using the company name is not good enough!
• You can use quotes from the case study - but
  sparingly.

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Exam skills - analysis33 of the marks

• Command words are Analyse, Explain why and
  Examine
• Analysis uses business theory to develop a line
  of argument
• It is looking for CONSEQUENCES, CAUSES and
  EFFECTS of a particular content point

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Good ANALYSIS language to use

• because,
• therefore,
• as a result,
• so,
• this leads to,

• THINK
• Why is the point I have made important or
  significant for the company?
• Make a point and then think so what?

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Exam skills - evaluation20 of the marks

• Command words are Evaluate, Discuss and to what
  extent
• Need to show judgement, an understanding of the
  underlying issues and ability to draw a
  conclusion.
• Weigh up two sides of an argument and consider
  any other factors that may affect the outcome of
  what you have said.

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Good EVALUATION phrases to use

• Success depends on because
• On balance
• only be effective if

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Approaching the paper timings!

• Remember that there are 4 subsection of questions
  to the case studies to answer!
• Each set of questions are worth 20 marks
• You can answer these sub questions in ANY ORDER..

• Glance through the questions 1st
• Then read the case study carefullyhighlight KEY
  issues. Not everything!
• Note the mark allocations and put down estimated
  times.

You MUST spend no more than 20 mins on each
sub set of questions!
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Approaching the paper

• Underline/highlight the business studies terms in
  each question
• Brainstorm the longer questions (only for a few
  moments though) - jot down the sort of ideas you
  might be using in each answer.
• This means that you might think of something else
  as you are writing another answer and you can add
  it in.
• LEAVE a significant gap between each answer. If
  you have time at the end. You could go back and
  ADD more to your answer.

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Approaching each question

• Even for the longer answer questions TWO well
  developed points are normally sufficient so dont
  panic if you cant remember lots of reasons
• Define/explain any business studies term
• Think quality, not quantity develop points with
  language like because, therefore, so

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Approaching each question

• NO to lists, lots of ANDS and ALSOS and also
  attempted jokes - examiners are grumpy! - cheer
  them up with good business studies answers
• KEEP LOOKING BACK TO THE QUESTION WHEN ANSWERING
  (every paragraph at least) - enhances chance of
  analysis marks
• CHUNKY PARAGRAPHS FOR EACH POINT - then leave a
  gap - gives the examiner a big clue you are onto
  the next point.

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A 1 ½ hour paper

• You have 10 minutes of reading planning time.
  Use it wisely..
• Dont rush to get startedbeing familiar with the
  case study is essential!
• Read each section slowly!
• READ THE TABLES accounts info (if present)
  carefully. They are there for a reason!

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If you have spare time!

• Re-read your answers
• With proof reading you might spot areas to
  improve think of some better conclusions

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If you run out of time!!!!

• This should NOT happen!!
• You should carefully keep an eye on the time
• 20 mins per subsection 10 mins reading
  planning 1 ½ hours
• HOWEVERgtgtgtgtgt

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If you run out of time!!!!

• Look at what questions are left!
• Split your time wisely
• Tackle the 1 question that you feel you have the
  best chance of answering
• Raise 2 relevant issues explain
• Make a valid evaluating conclusion

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Accounts

• Does it fill you with dread or delight?
• Depends on your skills

Do this last to get the written detail 1st and
then concentrate on the figures! BUT make sure
you have 20 mins left!
Do this 1st to get it out of the way. ONLY use
20 mins max
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So get revising!

• Use Tutor 2 U for revision notes
• Use Tutor 2 U for revision presentations
• Use Aqa.org.uk for past papers
• Do HOMEWORKS! Exam paper practice feedback does
  REALLY help!