Writing the external papers in principles of business
WOW, IT’S exam time already. Hello, everyone. We are really there. The objective of this lesson is to outline the format of the final principles of business examination and to give you some examination tips. There have been some changes to the format of Paper 02 of the examination, so please note carefully.
PAPER 01
Paper 01 is the multiple-choice paper. It will consist of 60 items taken from across the three profile dimensions (1) Organisational Principles (2) Production, Marketing and Finance and (3) The Business Environment. You will be given 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the paper. Each question will have four suggested answers. You are required to select what you consider to be the best answer and indicate it on the answer sheet provided in the way instructed. The multiple-choice paper is 30% of the overall marks.
PAPER 02
Paper 02 is the two-hour, structured/essay paper. As of the January examination 2017, this paper consists of five compulsory questions. It continues to be marked and so you are to write your answers in the spaces provided in the booklet. You will be given a specific number of lines to write your answers on beneath each question. Each question will be worth 20 marks. This paper is 50% of the overall marks.
Example: (a) What is a business plan? (2 marks)
You are advised to contain your answers to the number of the lines allotted to the question. Do not write below the lines provided, nor in the margins. If you do use any of the extra sheets of paper provided in the booklet, please indicate to the marker the page on which you have continued your answer and write the question and section of the question you are answering clearly on the extra sheets.
If you rewrite your answer, remember to draw a line through the original answer so that it will not be marked.
Read through the paper carefully and plan your answers.
Those of you in school systems will have already submitted your School Based Assessments (SBAs) for a possible 20% of the overall marks.
PAPER 03/2
Private candidates will sit Paper 03/2 in lieu of ,or as an alternative to, the SBA. This paper is also worth a possible 20%. The details of this paper can be found in the principles of business syllabus, pages 37-38.
You should have already begun studying for the exam. Studying well in advance of the date of the examination will allow time for adequate rest, meditation and exercise. I suggest that you begin with the topics found later in the syllabus and those topics that you find more difficult.
As you study for the POB examination, do NOT spread yourself too thin by studying too few topics. Remember that many of the questions may involve more than one topic. Endeavour, therefore, to study thoroughly as many topics as is humanly possible in order to enhance your chances of doing well in the examination.
Study in groups where possible, and have a bank of the most recent past papers so that you can practise answering questions. Additionally, the homework assignments that I presented in these lessons will prove useful.
Use INDEX CARDS to write down the main headings and points for each topic. These will serve as last-minute reminders just before you enter the examination room.
Always study with RESOURCE texts nearby to clarify areas of difficulty. Most texts also have questions useful for revision purposes.
Before you sit each examination, pray to God for guidance and arm yourselves with the appropriate writing implements. Take along extra pens and pencils.
Arrive at the examination centre at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the examination. This will ensure that you have enough time to find your seat and get your minds ready for the examination.
Do NOT use this time to cram and confuse yourselves. You should remember, too, that cellular phones are not allowed in the examination room. You are not allowed to use them as calculators, either.
Listen to and follow the instructions given by the invigilators of the examinations and DO NOT PANIC.
Choose your questions wisely. Avoid questions where you can only answer, say one out of four parts. Read your questions carefully and note the verbs at the beginning of the questions. These will indicate to you exactly what you are required to do, e.g. list, suggest, explain, describe, analyse, etc.
Indicate clearly and accurately the sections and questions being attempted. Use the marks for each part of the question to guide you as to how much detail is needed for each part of the question.
Finally, do not do anything to jeopardise the integrity of the centre where you are sitting your examinations. Anything that you are not sure of, ask the invigilator, not the person sitting beside you.
It is also important that you know and understand all the exam rules so that you do only what you know you should do.
The examination is on Friday, May 18, 2018, so it is just left for me to say that the sessions were very enjoyable and I wish each and every one of you all the very best. Remember that you will get out of it as much as you put in.