Professional, Practical, Proven

Ann Masterson 1 October 2016

Business Management

Overview

• Statistics

• Review of Exam performance 2015/6

• Overview of Main Changes

• Structure of the paper

• Sample papers

• Points to Note

• Sundry issues

• Reading material

Business Management

Statistics

* Overall refers to the total percentage of students that passed the exam in the Academic Year (May and August

combined)

% Pass Rate % Pass Rate % Pass Rate

May August Overall*

2016 76% 75% 82%

2015 85% 77% 80%

2014 81% 65% 83%

Business Management Statistics

Business Management

Review of exam performance Summer 2016

• Well received paper with pass rates within normal limits.

• Dublin had a notably lower pass rate than other centres. The failures recorded, in the main, were what I would deem 'bad' failures.

• HRM answered well, evolution of marketing could have been stronger, candidates appear to favour questions with further choice contained within them (Eg; Write a short explanatory note on any TWO (2) of the following; 8 Marks)

Business Management

Review of exam performance Summer 2016

• Knowledge of Taylors 4 principles of Mgmnt was disappointing across all centres. A number of candidates either provided details of planning, leading, organising and controlling or merely left this section blank; letting go of 10 marks.

• Candidates had obviously prepared well for SWOT & PEST; this led to them providing too much info in a lot of cases for the 5 marks on offer.

Business Management

Review of exam performance Summer 2016

• Mixed answers on motivation

• Section C was answered well by most

• Again the ‘writing of notes’ question was well answered by candidates; the most popular choices being demographics, changing workforce and globalisation.

Business Management

Review of exam performance August 2016

• Another well received paper with a strong pass rate for an Autumn sitting.

• Section A answered well by most

• Section B; PEST/SWOT and communications showed some excellent performance

• Section c answered adequately, with a notable lack of theoretical foundation provided by some.

Business Management

Overview of Main Changes

• No changes to syllabus for 2016-thus the text is broadly similar to that used for 2015-6

• Some changes and edits have been made in the course of the annual update process, these include;

- Expansion of existing material in chapter 9;

- Inclusions of more real life Irish examples in area of CSR in chapter 10

-Expansion of existing material on CG in Chapter 11

Business Management

Overview of Main Changes

Chapter 9 changes

– An expansion of section 9.3 Factors that are re-shaping and redefining Management

– Expansion of How globalisation affects business (9.4.2)

– Expansion of Hofstede’s dimensions of National Culture

– Inclusion of CSR stances in tabular form

– Inclusion of benefits, challenges and solutions to workplace diversity

Business Management

Overview of main changes

• Chapter 10;

– Inclusion of CSR in Ireland info; Enterprise Ireland, Diageo, Vodafone Ireland

• Chapter 11

– Inclusion of material on the origins of CG

– Inclusion of the reasons for CG

– Inclusion of the G20/OECD principles of CG

Business Management

Structure of the paper

• No changes from last year

• Exam will have 3 sections

• Matched to main syllabus areas

• Students to do FOUR questions in total out of

SIX on the paper

• One question from EACH section PLUS

• One extra question from any section

Business Management

• Three Sample Papers have been revised to match updated syllabus

Sample Papers

Business Management

• Question types will be similar in nature to previous examinations in Business management, using scenario questions in some cases.

• Questions may be subdivided into smaller units (parts a,b,c etc.) from 5-20 marks as seen in sample papers.

Question Types

Business Management

• Candidates to attempt A TOTAL OF 4 questions

• Stress the importance of full and complete answers, with effort matched to marks being offered.

• Answers should provide a theoretical foundation accompanied by examples where appropriate.

Points to Note

Business Management

Sundry Issues

• Dilution of effort

– Too many questions

• Use of examples

• Candidates should be reminded to give an answer in proportion to the marks awarded and not waste time in giving excessive answers.

• Presenting scripts

– Completion of cover sheet Business Management

Reading Materials

• Business Management Textbook

• Sample papers 1 to 3

– Available at www.AccountingTechniciansIreland.ie with suggested solutions

Business Management

Questions

• Any Questions?

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