IPM Exam PreparationIPM Exam Preparation November 12 th pm – 5.15pm 2 hours & 15 minutes reading time

M. Fusinato 2001 Overview Of The Exam 50% of subject assessment. If you feel you have done well so far – you need a good exam mark to make your SAC work count. If you feel you have done poor so far – you need a good exam mark to make your SAC work worth less.

M. Fusinato 2001 Overview Of The Exam What we know: * Questions will address exam criteria * Exam will be part of a booklet * Answer questions in spaces provided in booklet

M. Fusinato 2001 Types of Questions Tick the box - (this is different to multiple choice as there can be more than one answer given) Simple one line questions - (looking for simple clear understanding in response) Visual image with questions - (expect to have to interpret rather than create these) Short answer response - ( little space provided = not as much information required) Extended case study response- (lots of space provided = lots of information required)

M. Fusinato 2001 Question Stems List a very brief answer stating an appropriate term or name or a relevant item of key knowledge. Eg. List two methods which could be used to back up data in an information system. Identify a brief answer in response to a particular scenario. Eg. Read the text above and identify one problem that exists within this information system. Provide one example a brief description / statement is required to illustrate a situation. Eg. Provide one example of when keypad access to an Office Block would be an appropriate solution to an organisation’s security problems. State a very brief answer in response to a given situation. Eg State one advantage of the proposal outlined above. These are the main words used in a particular question. The stems determine the type of response expected of a student.

M. Fusinato 2001 Recommend a response which suggests what to do in a particular situation. Eg. Recommend and explain two tools which Acme P/L could use to manage the above project. Describe a response which gives an account of what occurs in a particular situation when a certain term is used. Usually questions that require a description test key knowledge in a generic sense. Explain a response which provides a reason why a particular fact or given circumstance is true. Eg. Explain why it is desirable to identify milestones in any project. Justify a response which explains why a particular choice is made. This normally includes its benefits and losses. Discuss a response which provides both sides of an argument or the advantages or disadvantages of a particular solution. Eg. discuss the economic implications of introducing the above situation. Explain & Justify an extended response which requires students to user their own words to illustrate how the key knowledge applies to a particular scenario, and to clearly outline the reasons why particular choices are made.

M. Fusinato 2001 How many was that? Clearly check how many questions you need to answer. 3 of the 4 or 1 of the 5 …. If you answer more your first X answers will count and the others will be ignored. (choose carefully and confidently)

M. Fusinato 2001 Before the exam. Do practice papers / read over chapter notes often Identify your weaknesses and work on them Reinforce your strengths Plan exam study period / read chapter notes often What does your body do at 3pm? It’s a danger time, your body is used to winding down at this time! Prepare your body, eat something before. What other exams do you have on the day?

M. Fusinato 2001 Be organised Have the necessary equipment – (pens, pencils, eraser, ruler) Read the front cover instructions quickly

M. Fusinato 2001 Reading Time Use it - this time is generally not well used Reading time gives you the opportunity to get the feel of the exam paper and hopefully draw confidence in how you will handle it Look for ‘stem’ words Identify answers you feel confident about and tackle them first Tune in your brain - you have 15 mins - use it!

M. Fusinato 2001 The Exam Look at the amount of space left for an answer in the booklet Look at the value of a question (how many marks) The front cover of the examination booklet will indicate the total number of marks on the paper. Use this to calculate how much time each mark is worth. In 2000 there were 60 marks so you could spend 2 mins only on each mark. A question worth 4 marks deserved 8 minutes attention.

M. Fusinato 2001 The Exam Continually check the clock. Make sure you do not run over- time on any question. Try to gain some time by completing some questions (for example short answer responses) in less time than calculated from the marks allocated. Use this time at the end of the paper to check through your answers. When your time for a particular question is up, leave and go on with the next. You can always come back to an unfinished question, if you have time at the end of the paper. You will often get a fresh inspiration when you go back to a question. Don’t sit wasting time pondering - move on and come back.

M. Fusinato 2001 The Exam Answer every question. The order you attempt the questions is not important Answers can be written in point form. This is ideal for list, state, and indicate type questions When asked to explain or describe point form is not a good option, a paragraph response is more likely to provide the required amount of detail or explanation

M. Fusinato 2001 The Exam Do not repeat the question in your answer. This is a waste of time and space. The examiner will be reading several hundred questions and does not need reminding. If you wish to change any part of your answer, make sure you clearly cross out the material that you no longer wish to be assessed. Your handwriting must be legible. If the marker cannot read what you have written, they cannot give you the marks. Take the time to make sure that your work is legible.

M. Fusinato 2001 Final Words Of Advice Try to relax in the examination. The examiner is not going to try and trick you. If you have been working consistently throughout the year and have been doing reasonably well in the SAC’s you should have a good knowledge base for the exam. Be confident in your own abilities.

M. Fusinato 2001 After the exam Forget it! (get on with your life, the exam is over and you cannot resit it)