1. Exam Best Practice Aim of Presentation
To inspire you - in how to prepare increased performance
To guide you - in what not to do
To suggest to you – a structured answer of the exam questions
John Sohn
Henley student 2006/01 – 2009/05
MBA (part 3 average grade) A
Part 3 exam A+
Developed the Exam Best Practice Model
Part 1 & 2 fulfilled at average grade level

2. Best practice guide Understand the case and prepare notes (3 weeks)
Know how to answer and what to write (3 hours)
50%
Comfort zone
Stress zone
Learning opportunity

3. How to fail an Exam – for sure
Work alone
Repeat your notes in you exam booklet
Focus on details rather than the story
Be descriptive – do not discuss
Use the notes of others
Suggest innovative genius solutions
Don’t relate to the case
Don’t answer the question
Make sure you fail on more than 3 of the above

4. Study the case in teams One week (5-6 days) away from the world
Question and listen to each other
Agree on the story-line
Make time to have fun
It will be an experience to remember for a lifetime

5. Read and Describe an Overview of the Case
Situation in brief
Where are they and where were they supposed to be (present)
What went wrong and why (past)
What should management do (future)

6. Make a timeline

7. Calculate ALL financial data

8. Do ALL the relevant strategic analysis
Relevance means - SO WHAT conclusion
Narrow down in further theories and models in KEY ISSUES

9. Describe ALL the relevant business transformation issues
Relevance means – USEFULL TO MANAGEMENT
Narrow down in further theories and models in KEY ISSUES

10. Create an Overview + Restate “The Situation in Brief”

11. Do the note sheet ALONE but - inspire each other
Make it a positive contribution
Note sheet
is evaluated

12. The Purpose of Your Exam Response
This is what your grade
Will depend of
to determine the answer to the questions in as broad a perspective as possible, and how you could develop an answer that support this!
to develop and explanation of the points you make, that are relevant to the answer!
to show you know, can use and apply theory and models to cases specific data (qualitative and quantitative)!
to answer question and demonstrate logical and useful conclusions relevant to management in the case!

13. Prepare your mind at the exam
This will prepare your mind
for meeting the purpose
read carefully and see it in the full case perspective
note your answer either in notes (quick/short) or in exam booklet (risky if your discussion afterwards is not related)
make a note of the structure of models/theory and discussion you will use to lead to your answer
use your prepared models to be sure of WHAT and WHERE the case relevance are, and WHY it or connections between models are relevant in the broad context of the case

14. This will assist in alignment of
your mind and pen
to the expectations
of the examining party

15. Chance favors the prepared mind!
Forget electives and dissertation for a while
Make the next three weeks something to remember for the rest of your life
Chance favors the prepared mind!