Higher Administration- exam technique1 Higher Admin Exam technique - Integrated question

Higher Administration- exam technique 1

Higher Admin

Exam technique - Integrated

question


Time management can make all the difference to your final mark.

Make sure you remember that the whole paper involves quite a bit of reading!


Section 1 is based on some stimulus case-study type material – all questions are compulsory

usually 4 or 5 questions

marks ranging from 2 to 8 marks per question

20 marks for this section

You should allocate 20-25 minutes to Section 1

The time per question will depend on the command word and marks awarded


Section 2 offers a choice of 2 questions from 5

usually divided into 4 parts

marks ranging from 2 to 8 marks per part.

You should allocate 1 hour to Section 2

10 minutes to read and decide the best 2 questions for you to attempt

25 minutes per question

20 marks per question – total 40 marks


A command word is not a polite

request – it is a demand.

Use them to focus on how you are expected to

answer.


Sometimes a question will

combine more than one command word - but when this is

the case it is usually the command word

JUSTIFY which is linked.


2011 - Section 2, Q2


(a) Outline the importance of securing references prior to offers of employment. 2 marks

Outline

This type of question is testing your understanding of Administration knowledge

This usually means give a reason – so you would start with something like

It is important because …………….. OR

References should be secured to ensure ………….


Your answer should make reference to

-

• Confirmation of information on Application Form

• Comparison of candidates• Obtaining opinions of previous

employers• Checking against criminal

convictions• Ensuring suitability of potential

employee


(b) Describe 3 external methods of informing potential candidates of a job vacancy 6 marks

Describe

This type of question is testing your knowledge.

It is therefore important that your description is detailed enough and, in this case, INCLUDES the NAMING of the method.

REMEMBER the command word Describe is always allocated 2 marks so take care that your description has 2 distinct parts (statements) which MUST MATCH.


However

TRY NOT to repeat the question 3 times!!!!

Take care that you do not simply outline the methods – you must ensure that the method being described RELATES to advertising a job vacancy externally.

NO identification marks (eg newspapers) awarded. Used alone this will gain no marks.


Possible answers could include!

1) (Newspaper) local and national newspapers – limited information as space is expensive

2) (advert on company/organisation website) wide audience can be reached – not as expensive as newspaper – applications can be made online – application forms can be downloaded easily

3) (Online Recruitment Agency) information about vacancy easily downloaded – S1 jobs carries wide range of jobs across Scotland


(c) Discuss how productivity is affected by office layout. 6marks

Discuss

This type of question is very testing – you need to show that you are discussing not only the features of office layout but also the effects on productivity. If there is no evidence of discussion the maximum marks

available is 3 marks (ie half of the allocation). REMEMBER when answering it is a good idea to use words or phrases like

also… however ….. whereas …. therefore …. this may cause….. this could result in …..


Possible answers should include

Open-plan layout – positives include

• Better supervision• Better team working > better

staff morale > better productivity

• Help at hand when required• Equipment easy to access


However, open plan layout

negatives include

• Distractions – chat/noise/ concentration/noisy equipment

• Lack of privacy/status• Can’t regulate for individual

needs


On the other hand

Cellular layout – positives include

• More privacy - confidentiality• Less interruptions –

concentration• Individual needs addressed• Illnesses not passed on so easily


However, cellular layoutnegatives include• Resources can’t be

shared• Employees may feel

isolatedRemember• Answers must relate to

productivity• No marks for opposite/flip

points (repetition)


(d) Suggest and justify 3 features of presentation software which a speaker would find useful. 6 marks

Suggest

Justify

This question is testing your knowledge of this section of your study of Administration – ICT/software

This usually means give a reason – so after suggesting a feature you would continue with

because it has …………….. Or

because it allows the speaker/audience to …….


Possible answers should include

• Speaker notes• Automatic transition• Handouts• Animation• Imported objects –

SS/graphics/sound/video• Hyperlinks – websites/action

buttons


2011 - Section 2, Q2Complete on the paper provided – 25 MINUTES.


finish

staple

Hand in for

correction

OK?

Documents

Higher Administration- exam technique1 Higher Admin Exam technique - Integrated question