So, you finished the syllabus content and looking for the exam technique to help you achieve an A*/9? Don't worry. Everything you need will be stated here. Feel free to click on the titles below to reach your desired section.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE EXAMINER'S GAME?

It is very important to note that it is very common to feel lost once you attempt a past paper. However, this feeling will start to fade away the more you solve. We will first discuss paper 1, including the command words, answering technique, understanding the mark distribution, and time management. 

1. KNOWLEDGE

This is perhaps the easiest objective to help you collect grades. This objective is needed in every question you answer, regardless of the command word used in the exam paper. Knowledge points are the terms and definitions you studied as well as the advantages and disadvantages of a topic. They make up what you studied and test your overall understanding and ability to remember. 

2. APPLICATION

Application is a term used when you apply the information given to you in the question to your answer. For example, if the question stated that BVT is a company that manufactures electronics, then an application would be mentioning the design of a camera. Application points are needed when the command words "Outline(c)" and "Explain (d)" are used. 

3. ANALYSIS

Analysis refers to the explanation of a knowledge point you mentioned i.e. its effect. For example, if you mention that a business that grows too much can end up losing control (knowledge) then the analysis point would be mentioning how the business will therefore suffer, be in debt, and eventually shut down. Analysis points are needed when the command words "Explain (d)" and "Justify your answer (e)". 

4. EVALUATION

This may be the trickiest objective to achieve since there truly isn't a right or wrong answer. Evaluation points are only used in "Justify your answer (e)" towards the end. In a nutshell, evaluation refers to making a decision and the reason behind it. 

The simplest way to manage your time is to use the number of marks as the minutes you spend on a question. To elaborate, if the question is 4 marks then spend 4 minutes on it, 6 marks then spend 6 minutes, etc. It is also crucial not to waste your time on calculation questions as you can always come back to them once you solved the majority of your paper.

It is very normal to feel frightened of the second paper the first time you take a look at it. But, it's not that different from the first paper. Here's how to ace it:

1. THE INSERT PAPER:

You will be handed 2 different exam papers: the insert paper and the question paper. The insert paper comprises of the case study (the information on the business you are being tested on) which is presented through appendices. It is important to read through the paper very carefully and underline important keywords that can help in your application points. 

2. THE QUESTION PAPER BREAKDOWN:

The question paper is divided into 4 different questions, each including part a (an 8-mark question) and part b (a 12-mark question). You will be using the same objectives discussed in the first paper IN ADDITION to a new objective: further analysis. Further analysis is justifying your analysis to a greater extent. You need to write a lot in this paper therefore explain your points as much as you can.

3. UNDERSTANDING THE MARK DISTRIBUTIONS: 

Unlike the first paper, the parts in this paper do not have specific requirements. So, here is how to know what the examiner is looking for:

Take a look at the grade in between brackets (either 8 or 12). Divide that number by the content included in the question to know how many details to mention.

For example, if a question is worth 8 marks and asks for 2 reasons, then you need to mention 4 DETAILS per reason (8/2=4). Therefore, the 4 details are K, APP, AN, FURTHER AN. Also, if a question is worth 12 marks and asks for a threat, an opportunity, and a conclusion then you need to mention 4 DETAILS per requirement (12/3=4) and so on. 

Now that the basic foundation of answering the questions is covered, we will go over the common mistakes that many candidates do.

1. FORGETTING THE APPLICATION:

It is completely understandable that while you're in a hurry, you forget the application objective. NONETHELESS, application marks carry a lot of weight on your answer therefore should always be incorporated in your response. Always try to put yourself in the business owner's shoes and picture yourself in their situation. Another important remark is that mentioning the business' name or the owner of the business' name IS NOT CONSIDERED APPLICATION. 

2. RESPONDING IN BULLET POINTS:

The examiner wants to see your answer written in a paragraph form therefore if you write in bullet points, chances are the examiner will not give you the full mark or might not even read it. Make sure to always write your answers with the objectives discussed and analyze as much as you can.

3. NOT FULFILLING THE OBJECTIVE REQUIREMENTS:

These objectives are what unites all business studies candidates in order to have a fair-grading system. Therefore, even if your responses are "professional" they will not be given the full grade if they do not abide by the objectives the examiners are looking for.