Higher Exam Review

Some Problems Faced by Candidates. Command Words Explain / Compare / Distinguish

Section One Problem Areas.

Describe methods an organisation could use to encourage positive employee relations. (6) Many candidates failed to Describe the method but instead gave the effect. Poor example “Involving employees in decision making makes them feel valued”

Actual Methods…. Quality Circle Worker Director Worker Councils Open Door Management Policies Empowerment Appraisal etc

Descriptions where often poor. Q3. Describe financial information that stakeholders could use to assess an organisation’s financial position. (5) Descriptions where often poor. Good Answer “a Balance sheet shows the value of the business at a particular point in time” Good hint YOU WILL GET 1 MARK FOR STATING A RATIO FORMULA. (max 2)

Candidates for example stated Interviews and described questionnaires. Q4. Describe and justify 3 market research techniques that an organisation could use to assess customer satisfaction. (A different justification should be used each time). (6) Lack of Knowledge Candidates for example stated Interviews and described questionnaires. Be careful with labelling descriptions. Only label if you are sure about what you are writing.

Q5. Explain the effects of delayering on an organisation. Many candidates gave a description but no effects. Good answer “You remove a layer of management to flatten out the structure. By doing this the company will save money on wages”

Lets break it down….. out the structure. Identification “You remove a layer of management to flatten out the structure. By doing this the company will save money on wages” Identification Explanation

Q6 (B) Describe and justify the use of 4 types of information Q6 (B) Describe and justify the use of 4 types of information. (A different justification should be used each time). (8) A lot of confusion – candidates wrote about Sources of information rather than Types. This one question affected the overall pass mark of Section 1. What candidates should have said……. Written / Pictorial / Oral / Graphical / Numerical Quantitative / Qualitative

Q7. Discuss the use of quality standards for an organisation. (6) Many Candidates failed to recognise the term. E.g. they described Quality measures and methods like Quality Control and Quality Assurance.

The actual answer should have included….. Proves the product/service has met an agreed level of quality. Can be used as a marketing tool to gain a competitive advantage. Will give customers confidence when purchasing the product. May ensure repeat sales of the product. Involves a very lengthy and time consuming process. Agreed standards need to be maintained at all times/. Will require thorough checks and audits by BSI staff to prove the standards have been met. Rigorous record keeping of purchases and production must be kept. Higher prices can then be charged. Less customer complaints/less returns. Limits waste. Increase sales/repeat sales/gain sales from competitors.

Section Two Problem Areas.

Q 5 (d) Describe reasons why an organisation would use cash budgets. Lack of Knowledge about Cash Budgets. 4 (d) (i) Describe and justify 3 forms of testing (other than interviews) used in the selection process. (A different justification should be used each time.) Incorrect Description cost candidates marks.

5. (a) Explain the benefits of using Information Communications Technology for a multinational organisation. Lack of knowledge Easier and Quicker is not good enough at Higher level. (b) Describe factors an organisation should consider when trying to encourage a positive corporate culture. Still a very challenging topic for candidates. Lack of knowledge

1 (c) Describe the role of a manager in staff appraisal. Candidates simply did not understand what the question was asking them. Is it the Role of a manger or is it Appraisal? Candidates described the role of appraisal and not the role of a manger.

So what were they looking for?? Plan out the timing and purpose of the appraisal interview in advance to ensure the employee is fully aware of the purpose. Organise a suitable venue and time. Control the meeting to allow the employee to have an input into the appraisal. Command − may have to tell the employee that the meeting is taking place if they are unhappy with the appraisal and against it. Co-ordinate the appraisal meetings before and after to ensure appropriate feedback is given. Delegate some meetings − peer to peer appraisal − or junior managers for experience. Motivate the staff with suggestions during the appraisal and give praise for any appropriate work they have carried out and targets met. POCCCDM does not need to be used to gain marks but solutions must be linked to appraisal. Watch for repetition if POCCCDM is not used.

2 (b) Explain the reasons managers use accounting ratios. Many candidates listed the uses of ratios, giving no explanation of why they are used.

Actual answer… To compare current performance with previous years to see if there is any improvement. To make comparisons with similar size organisations in similar industry which allows them to analyse if the organisation is making appropriate GP% or NP%. To measure an organisation’s profitability which allows for better control of expenses. To show if an organisation has the ability to pay short term debts which gives warnings to managers of the problems that could happen with higher than average debt ratios. To measure an organisation’s efficiency which allows for action to be taken against inefficient areas to improve on them. Highlight trends so managers can be aware of profitable periods or problem periods, ie, seasonal demand.

How will the exam look?? Section 1 – 50 marks ALL QUESTIONS must be answered. Q1 – 10 marks and will be related top the Case Study. (ID ONLY). There will always be an Internal Org and Finance question in Section 1. If there is no Finance question in Section 1 then there is no getting away from it as there will be Finance questions in at least 4 Section 2 questions.

Section Two There will be 5 questions and you MUST answer 2 questions. They will all have different topics within each. There will be at least 1 Explain question in each Section 2 question.

Look at the command word General Hint n Tips Look at the command word Remember Explain is were you need your ID then your Explanation. Bullet points are accepted, however make sure that you: Write in sentences Avoid Lists No marks are given for examples, but still give them in your answer as they may SEAL you the mark.

Distinguish… Still a problem for Candidates. You should always try to have the following.. A Strategic decision is made by senior management, whereas A tactical decision is made by middle management. HOWEVER… If you are unsure about the topics then you should write a paragraph on Strategic and then a paragraph on Tactical. The examiner will match up your answer.

Section 2…… Make sure you can answer all of the questions – or most! Look at the mark allocation. Place a X ? next to each question.

X Example……. (a) Distinguish between a strategic decision and a tactical decision. (3) (b) Explain the advantages of staff training for an organisation. (4) (c) Describe the role of a manager in staff appraisal. (5) (d) Discuss the use of just in time production. (6) (e) (i) Explain the effects that 3 political factors could have on an organisation. (A different effect should be explained each time.) (3) (ii) Describe 4 external factors (other than political) that could have an impact on an organisation (4) X X X ?

Revise!! Revise!! Revise!! and finally….. Look at what the question is actually asking you. Do not give a learned answer from another paper – All questions are different. Revise!! Revise!! Revise!!