H BM Exam Doctor

8/8/2019 H BM Exam Doctor

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Higher Business Management

Exam Doctor

COMMAND WORDS

Command Word Definition Compare Identify similarities and differences between two or more

factors

Describe Provide a thorough description

Discuss Examine closely taking account of strengths and weaknesses

in an argument; offer reasons for and against

Distinguish Identify the differences between two or more factors

Explain Give a detailed response (definition and explanation) as to

how/why something may benefit/hinder

Identify Give the name or identifying characteristics of something

Justify Give reasons to support suggestions, conclusions

Outline State the main features



MARKING HIGHER BUSINESS MANAGEMENT The table below summarises the key terms in questions and what is required for each in an answer.

The numbers shown in brackets refer to the Examination Paper and Question in which these termshave been used.

KEY WORDS WHAT DOES IT MEAN? HOW SHOULD IT BE

ANSWERED?

Advantages and

Disadvantages

Pros and cons of option(s) – at least

one advantage and one disadvantageshould be given to attract all marks

available

Ensure that marks awarded for

advantages are not repeated bystraight negatives given for

disadvantages.

Analyse Scrutinise/evaluate/consider A detailed account should be givenof the factors that are to be

analysed. Use examples, if you can,

to support your findings, options.

Compare and

Contrast

Evaluate/weigh up against/ put

options side by side

Draw up a distinction between the

options

Differences between

items/options should be

emphasised. Assess items being

examined and stress the unique

features of each in comparison tothe other(s).

Describe Explain/illustrate/express Definition and explanation should

be given.

Differentiate Make a distinction/distinguish

between/set apart/separate

Make a distinction by comparing

options/items and defining

items/options.



Discuss Debate/examine/confer/talk

about/deliberate – infers"development"

Negatives and positives should be

explored, although this is notnecessary in all cases.

Identify Name/classify/categorise Definition

Identify and

Describe

Name/classify/categorise and then

explain/illustrate/express

Define item(s)/option(s) and then

explain what it does/how it

works/affects …

Justify Give good reasons for/

rationalise/give explanation for

State why a course of action or

option has been chosen.

Outline Summarise/run through Description without too much

detail.

Lists attract few marks eg POCCC (Planning, Organising, Co-ordinating, Controlling, Commanding),

POGADSCIE (Problem, objectives, gather information, analyse, devise, select, communicate, implement,evaluate)

Marking Principles for Higher Business Management In Higher Business Management the external assessment is based on a single written paper. The paper

consists of two sections, this is reflected in the Marking Principles. Below are listed:

General Marking Principles which apply to both Section 1 and Section 2

Specific Marking Principles for Section 1 - Question 1.

We recommend that, after reading the Marking Principles, you make yourself familiar with the Key

Terms as shown in the right-hand side index. You can then use this information as guidance whenattempting the Examples.

General Marking Principles

Marking schemes will cover many of the possible candidate responses but fair and reliable marking

requires the marker to apply her/his 'professional judgement'.

'Bulleted' answers are acceptable but ensure that enough detail is given to be awarded the marks

available.Up-to-date examples may be credited with development of points, where appropriate. It is easy to be

over generous in a 100 mark paper.When a diagram is asked for, it will attract marks, and the answer will not get full marks unless the

diagram is there. However, when a diagram is NOT specifically asked for, although it is likely to attract

marks, it is possible to gain all the marks without it.

Marks awarded to questions are an indication of the depth of answer being sought. (See MarkingPrinciple 1 - 'professional judgement.' )



One word answers for 'descriptions' are very unlikely to gain marks – usually expansion of the answer is

required.No half marks are awarded – if part of an answer is almost right and the candidate goes on to expand

the point further through the answer, the whole section should be indicated and awarded one mark.

When marking a candidate response you should be careful that the candidate response relates to what

was actually asked. 'Key terms' used in questions are explained in the glossary of key terms available in

the right-hand side index.

SECTION 1

Section 1 of the examination tests the candidates' knowledge, understanding, problem solving and

decision making and is assessed through a case study or interpretation item of about 750 words. Thereare a number of mandatory questions and candidates may be required to assume a management position

making decisions necessary to solve problems or identifying problems from the stimulus material.

Question 1

This question tests the candidates' ability to apply their understanding of management theory to thecase study/interpretation item. In this question a number of aspects of management theory are

identified and the candidates are asked to analyse the case study under headings eg human resources,operations, marketing. This question is worth 10 marks.

To gain any marks, the response must always relate to the case study/interpretation item. Generalstatements on, for example, human resource issues will gain no marks if not related to the passage.

The question will include a number of headings, under which the question should be answered. It is

important that the candidates use these headings in their responses. There will be a maximum number of

marks available if no headings are used.Each heading will attract a maximum number of marks. So, for example, all 10 marks cannot be gained

under one heading.If the question asks only for concerns/problems/issues, ‘solutions’ to the concerns/problems/issues will

not be accepted.



IN THE EXAM:

For Describe, Explain and Justify questions, get in the habit of a definition, followed by

an example and/or an explanation.

QUESTION:

Describe 2 strategic objectives of a public sector organisation. (2)

ANSWER:

A public sector organisation is owned by the Government.

The NHS is an example of a public sector organisation.

One strategic objective of a public sector organisation would be to provide an efficient

health service for everyone.

Another strategic objective would be to serve the public interest, as people want to be

healthy and live longer.

For Compare and Contrast/Distinguish questions use connecting words like 'WHEREAS','ON THE OTHER HAND', 'IN COMPARISON'. If stuck just use whereas every single

time. It may be boring but it will get marks.

QUESTION:

COMPARE a private sector organisation with that in the public sector...



ANSWER:

Private sector organisations are owned by individuals WHEREAS public sector

organisations are owned by the Government.

Private sector organisations are normally motivated by profit, ON THE OTHER HAND,

public sector organisations exist to provide a service.

Here is an exercise for you to carry out.

IDENTIFY the main features of Hamilton Grammar

DESCRIBE your dream home

OUTLINE the role of Simon Cowell on X-Factor

EXPLAIN why Hamilton Accies should build a new stadium

JUSTIFY the use of a Nintendo Wii in school

COMPARE Daniel Craig with Pierce Brosnan

DISCUSS the future of the environment

DISTINGUISH between Sky and Virgin

TOP 10 BANKER QUESTIONS

The following are not guaranteed to come up in the final exam, but are ones that often

do.

Therefore it is imperative you know them like the back of your hand!

If you don't know how to answer these questions, make sure you see me.

Stakeholders (Influence) Product Life Cycle (Stages and/or Extension Strategies

Methods of Production (Job, Batch & Flow)

External Factors (PESTEC)

Quality (TQM, Quality Circles etc)

Recruitment and Selection (need to know the stages in order)

Business Objectives (profit maximisation etc)

Ratios (limitations)



Organisational Structure (Groupings - eg Functional, Place/Territory)

Uses of ICT in Business

OTHER TIPS

Also remember my tip for advantages/disadvantages cost/benefit questions if you are

stuck. TCP. (Time, Cost, People). It will get you 3 marks at least if you talk about how

the topic is affected by or affects these 3 elements.

If a question is 6 marks then give 6 points if possible.

Read the Case Study Questions first before reading the Case Study.

Remember question 1 in the Case Study may ask for problems or solutions to the

different headings. Make sure you write the headings and don't get mixed up.

Look at the options questions in Section Two and pick the 2 questions you will lose the

least amount of marks, even if it means sacrificing your favourite question. It is better

to get 18/25 by maybe losing a duff 7 marker than getting 13/25 and of that you got

8/8 on your favourite question.

GENERAL EXAM TIPS

1. Know what you have to do

First you should go through your notes or an exam syllabus and list the topics which haveto be covered - your own study checklist. Also, make sure you know exactly when your

exams are and how many papers you will have to sit.

2. Make a revision plan

Well before your exams, set up a revision timetable. Many people don't do this, but it is

essential. Set a realistic number of hours for revision each week. Plan to work through

each of the topics in the period up to the exam, leaving a few weeks for final revision.

Regularly review your plan and make changes in the light of your progress.

3. Revise effectively

Find a quiet private place to revise (try the library if there's no room at home), with a

suitable, well-lit table or desk to work at and always have all the equipment you need at

hand - class notes, Study Guides, calculator, etc. Work for a set period (30-40 minutes

suits most people), and then have a 10 minute break away from your desk.



4. Revise actively

Don't just read through your class notes - revision needs to be more active than that if

it's to stick. Make your own revision notes (they'll come in useful for final revision),

draw diagrams to summarise points, make up word games to help memorise key points

and, above all, keep testing yourself (or get a friend to test you).

5. Practise exam questions

About two or three months before the exam, start to look at past papers for the

syllabus you are taking. Get used to the style of the questions and the words used by the

examiner. It is most important to answer the question set and not one you would prefer

to answer.

6. Handling stress

Start revising as early as possible. If you start late, don't panic, but make a plan of what

you have to do and stick to it. Do lots of exam questions practice, so you know what to

expect. Take regular, scheduled breaks. And make sure you get some exercise and fresh

air. Most importantly, keep a sense of proportion - there is life after the exams.

7. The week before

You should have kept this time to go back over essential or difficult points, rather than

studying new material. However, if you have fallen behind your schedule, you can use a

few days of this time to catch up.

8. The night before

Don't rely on a lot of last minute revision. It's OK to revise a couple of things the night

before the exam, but don't get into a panic about things you don't know. Convince

yourself about how much you do know. Get all the things you need ready the night before

- pens, pencils, ruler, calculator with spare battery, etc. And try to get an early night.

9. In the exam

Arrive at the place of the exam in good time. When you start, find a question you can do

well and do it straight away, even if it is not the first question on the paper - this will

build your confidence. Keep a careful eye on the time and keep on schedule to answer

every question you need to - if you find a question you struggle to do, leave it and return

to it later.



10. Be positive

I t is very easy when you are revising to get despondent and to

think about all the things you cannot do or find difficult. It happens to us all. You must

look back at your original plan, from time to time, and realise the progress you have

made. With determination and the right approach, you can succeed!

FROM BULLET POINTS TO Bs

Often people panic and just jot down bullet point answers. This may be acceptable if you

are running out of time for ONE question but not for a full paper.

You are a HIGHER candidate so act like one. Show off your linguistic prose! There is

always at least one Bullet Point King every year and they argue all the time about 'this

deserves a mark'. Listen, it is not up to me. I am not the geezer who will mark your

paper. It is a game and it is your future at stake. So play the game. Avoid bullet points.

Using bullet points reminds me of a quote from Oscar Wilde:

The trick is to practise writing out answers to questions WITH the bullet point marking

scheme in front of you. EXPAND the bullet points into reasoned answers. Turn a bulletpoint into a sentence and into a paragraph. This is one surefire way to turn those Fs and

Ds into Cs and more likely Bs.

EXAMPLE:

QUESTION:



Describe the benefits to an organisation of having a strong corporate culture. (3)

MARKING SCHEME SOLUTION

• Employees feel part of the organisation.

• Is motivational to staff.

• Improves employee relationships.

• Increases employee loyalty.

• Gives customers a sense of quality/efficiency.

• May attract new workers.

• Improves the business image.

Now let's turn a couple of these bullet points into Bs.

One benefit of an organisation would be that employees feel part of the organisation.

This is because employees identify with the firm and are proud to work there.

A strong culture motivates staff because they are all pulling in the same direction and

want to be successful.

It also improves employee relationships because it promotes team building exercises orsocial gatherings, giving employees an opportunity to mix outwith their department.

REMEMBER

You are communicating with examiner. Keep it neat and tidy (I know that is hypocritical

coming from me and my handwriting, but it is not me who has to go into the Exam!!!) and

use the space of the page.

In other words don't be afraid to spread your answers out using diagrams, clearparagraphs and the odd use of underlining words (or UPPERCASE or the odd bullet

point).

You can put your working in the script also. You may wish to draw a quick mindmap before

you start or indeed a mnemonic.

MEMORY AIDS



Mnemonics

Mindmaps

Quizzes

Active Reading

Post Its

Talking and Recording (download and install Audacity)

Creating Powerpoints

Visit my blog: www.mrmcgowan.blogspot.com

W atch my TeacherTube

videos/screencasts

http://www.mrmcgowan.blogspot.com/



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