Revision
How to get an A
Command Words
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Define..
Idenitfy…
Describe..
Clarify..
List…
State..
Summarise..
Recall…
Recount…
Outline…
What examiners are looking for & What
you should do
• Evidence that you have relevant knowledge and
understanding of Business terms.
• Identify the key Business terms referred to in the question.
• Define terms or ‘explain what is meant by’
• Evidence that you have responded to the demand in the
question by identifying relevant points.
• Identify what you are being asked to do.
• Use your knowledge and your case study to help you list
the points you have been asked for.
• Evidence that you remember basic formulae or calculation
methods.
• Write the formulae, use the figures from the case study to
make calculations.
How to be ready:
• Know your Syllabus
• ‘Summary section &
glossary’
Do Practice Questions
Analyse
Command Words
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Analyse…
Examine…
Explain how…might…
Account
Contrast
Interpret
Discuss
Distinguish
(note explain how/ if explain
why it is a knowledge
question)
You must still
show knowledge
(start with a
definiton of
business term).
Also APPLY!
What examiners are looking for & What
you should do
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Evidence that you can explain an answer using logical and
reasoned arguments.
X leads to Y which may cause z.
Step By Step
Evidence that you can explain points made with supporting use of
business studies theory and ideas.
Identify the Business Studies techniques and ideas that could be
used to support the points made.
Evidence that of appropriate use and understanding of numerical
and non numerical techniques.
Build up arguments showing, for example, how a business
decision might have either a positive or negative impact on it.
Only if asked to, build up an argument both for and against the
points made in the question.
What to do:
• Still link to your stimulus/your
business
• Show knowledge define key
words a good tip.
• Discus cause and/or effect
• Advantages and disadvantages
Analysis
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Logical, developed thoughts/ arguments
Using relevant theory correctly
Clear focus on the question set
Clear sense of CAUSE and EFFECT.
How and Why
Advantages and disadvantages
What happens if…. (develop answer)
DEPTH
strategies in human resource management
workplace disputes
(pg 463)
Resolution
Negotiation:
•
resolving disputes.
•
discussions between the parties.
•
result in a compromise
•
and a formal or informal agreement.
Mediation
•
confidential discussion,
•
non- threatening environment.
•
presence of a neutral, objective third party.
grievance procedures
•
formal procedures,
•
generally written into an award or agreement,
•
state agreed processes to resolve disputes in the workplace.
involvement of courts and tribunals:
•
Conciliation (third party is involved. Helps)
•
Arbitration (third party makes a legally binding decision)
•
Orders (require employees or employers to carry out a direction from the tribunal). They may be inserted in
awards or agreements.
Red are my syllabus
word points
My Answer:
A) People skills, flexibility, adapt to change.
B) The potential conflict is that the owner wants to maintain
profit by reducing costs. This is being done by reducing pay
to the employees (which conflicts with their needs). They
could reconcile their difference through communication
between employers and employees in meetings. This could
be done through negotiation and where they reach a
compromise by reaching mutually satisfied outcomes and
avoiding any further industrial disputes
My Answer:
A)
B)
C)
People skills, flexibility, adapt to change.
The potential conflict is that the owner wants to maintain profit by reducing
costs. This is being done by reducing pay to the employees (which conflicts with
their needs). They could reconcile their difference through communication
between employers and employees in meetings. This could be done through
negotiation and where they reach a compromise by reaching mutually satisfied
outcomes and avoiding any further industrial disputes
The potential conflict is that the owner wants to maintain profit by reducing
costs. This is being done by reducing pay to the employees (which conflicts with
their needs). They could reconcile their difference through communication
between employers and employees in meetings. This could be done through
negotiation and where they reach a compromise by reaching mutually satisfied
outcomes and avoiding any further industrial disputes
key influences
• the employment contract – common law (rights
and obligations of employers and employees),
minimum employment standards, minimum
wage rates, awards, enterprise agreements, other
employment contracts
• Individual common law employment contracts
• Independent contractors
• Contracts for casual work
• Part-time contracts
Application
Command Words
•
•
•
•
Explain with an example…
Explain why…
Outline…
No marks
Calculate…
will be given
for copying
out the case
study if no
knowledge is
shown.
What examiners are looking for & What
you should do
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Evidence that you have read and understood the stimulus/your business
and realise how it can be used to support your ansser.
Read the stimulus before answering any Question!
Never assume you can answer a question without it!
Evidence that you can use the stimulus/your business and the issues it
covers to illustrate the knowledge point that you are making.
Identify sections of the stimulus/your business that are relevant to each
question.
Use quotes and paraphrase from the passage in your answer that illustrate
or support the point being made
Evidence that you can accurately extract relevant figures and complete the
calculations asked for.
Be careful to use the right figures from the case if a calucation is asked for.
Evidence that you can answer the questions in the contextof a business
study
Think about how the question affects the business study in order to
demonstrate application.
What to do:
• Know your your business
• Always link your answer
showing good understanding.
Application
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Apply your answer in context.
Not just mentioning XYZ to every second sentence.
Pick up aspects of the business.
Pick up KEY business aspects
In CONTEXT, then develop your answer.
Relate to the features of the business
Distinct features of the INDUSTRY/MARKET.
Evaluate
Command Words
•
•
•
•
Evaluate…
Discuss…
To what extent…
Recommend.. Justify your answer.
Your opinion based
on FACT
What examiners are looking for & What
you should do
• Evidence that a judgement has been made in the answer or
the conclusion to the answer.
• Decide on what matters most in this case – support your
judgement
• Evidence that the arguments used have been weighed up
and the most important one(s) identified.
• Compare and contrast ‘arguments for’ and ‘arguments
against’ an issue.
• Evidence that a recommendation has been given, if asked
for, which is supported by the arguments used.
• Conclude the answer with a clear conclusion and/or
recommendation which is based on the arguments used.
• Evidence that the case study business and the issues it
faces have been built into the judgement.
What to do:
• Still link to your stimulus/your
business
• Show knowledge define key
words a good tip.
• Discus cause and/or effect Advantages and disadvantages
• Give your opinion.. supported
Evaluation – things that can go
wrong
• Opinion - passionate,
unsupported
• Argument – dispassionate and
supported
• Evaluate: Arguments are
opinions which are supported
by evidence (give a reason)
Show you KNOW what you
are talking about (context)
The analysis
In context
(application)
LINK
Make Recommendations
Conclusions
A good conclusion should:
1.
2.
3.
•
Address the precise terms of the question
Build on the answer you’ve given
Make a clear judgement …
…backed by clear reasons why, i.e. a
supporting argument.
Discuss whether XX should
launch its new cider brand.
As I’ve argued, there are three valid reasons to launch.
The most important is that it meets the firm’s objective
of growth. Nevertheless all three are outweighed, in
my view, by the riskiness of launching at a time when
the firm’s cash flow is weak and the economic forecast
suggests interest rates are rising. So my
recommendation is: don’t launch until the firm has
tackled its cash flow problem.
Discuss whether XX should
launch its new cider brand.
As I’ve argued, there are three valid reasons to launch. The
most important is that it meets the firm’s objective of
growth. Nevertheless all three are outweighed, in my view,
by the riskiness of launching at a time when the firm’s cash
flow is weak and the economic forecast suggests interest
rates are rising. So my recommendation is: don’t launch
until the firm has tackled its cash flow problem.
1.
2.
3.
Build on the answer you’ve given
Make a clear judgement …
…backed by clear reasons why, i.e. a supporting
argument.
Examination Skills – final advice.
1. Know a business
2. Identify the key command words in each
question
3. Define/explain the key business term in each
question no matter what the command word –
knowledge marks are awarded for this in each
question.
4. Allocate time carefully between each question
5. Do not waste time on unnecessary analysis or
evaluation if the command words do not
require these skills.
6. Write full sentences (exception in report)
7. Use separate paragraphs for each separate
point being made
8. Show all numerical working and lay this out as
clearly as you can – marks still awarded for
incorrect results if the working out has some
logic to it.
5 things that failed me…
1. I didn’t read the question
2. I didn’t understand the
question
3. I misunderstood the question
4. I answered in bullet points
5. I didn’t relate the answer to
the case study.
5 things that stopped me from getting an
‘A’…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I didn’t develop my answer (how and why –
analysis)
I didn’t make judgements (persuade – with
evidence – evaluate)
I didn’t manage my time effectively (save time for
the BIG questions, don’t waste time on 2 – 3 mark
questions)
I didn’t know how to work out or use ratios in the
finance questions.
I didn’t use business language
bust?
stuff?
DO NOT say money/ people – ruins your impression of an A student!
Money – say profit or cash,
People - Say employees/customers/shareholders….
Tips to revision:
You retain:
• 5% Listen
• 10% Read
• 25% Listen and See
• 30% demonstration
• 50% Discus
• 75% Do
• 90% Teach someone else
Tips to revision:
You retain:
• 5% Listen
• 10% Read
• 25% Listen and See
• 30% demonstration
• 50% Discus
• 75% Do
• 90% Teach someone
else
•
•
•
•
Work on exercises
Glossary in hand
Business Vocabulary
Apply subject
knowledge to business
situations.
Tips to revision:
You retain:
• 5% Listen
• 10% Read
• 25% Listen and See
• 30% demonstration
• 50% Discus
• 75% Do
• 90% Teach someone
else
• Revise terms regularly
• Read Business notes at
home
• Devise a revision plan.
Revision:
• Create a list of what you need to learn
A4 Sheet for each topic:
• Bring it down to bullet points for each
topic.
• Practice papers, mock exams
• Write bullet points for each answer
• Mind map of topics (highlight off what
you still need to revise).
• Create a spider diagram as your answer
(include application).
5 things to avoid….
1. Jumping around – no planning - Plan your
answers know your argument
2. Repetitive
3. I think… I think… (no theory, no reasoning, no
answer)
4. No context
5. Leave enough time (don’t rush at the end).
Report
•
•
•
•
•
•
Doctor, Doctor
You have a whole lot of symptoms
TELL WHAT TO DO NEXT…
The report is recommendations
You are the business doctor.
Analysis – Say what to do next.
• Recommendation
This is important!
TIPS:
• Know the advantages and disadvantages of
EVERYTHING on the spec!
TIPS:
• Make sure you read and study the data before you
tackle the questions
• You’ll rarely find that a question is one-sided in
outcome, so always give both balanced
answers/conclusions
• Keep referring back to the question for information
you may need to extract a comment on it in your
answer
• Don’t spend over long on one question!
TIPS:
• Marks aren’t for spelling/grammar.
They are for business terminology!
• Study Key terms!
• Be careful with accounting terms –
profit and cash are different!
• Make your answer clear, easy to read
and concise.
• Check calculations and your answer
in units.
Avoid the flaws of a weak candidate
• Don’t repeat the data
• Don’t just analyse
• Highlight main words in the case study
• Give data in context.
Structure:
• Answer a question:
• Strength
• Weakness
•Recommendations
•
•
•
•
Focus on an issue – say what it means
Link data – anayse to something else
Don’t have to stick to one area
Don’t just repeat data say what it MEANS!!!
Success Factors… what do you think?
The Essay
• An essay question invites the student to build or develop an
argument.
• The essay title will invariably offer several different ways of
approaching the question.
• But the most important thing to remember is to write an
essay which directly addresses and answers the question.