A Look at Paper 3B - Part 2
Yvonne Harvey, Contributor

Herbert Morrison Technical High School sixth-form Sociology students catch up on their studies during lunch break. - Claudine Housen Photo

HI. IT'S me again. Last week I gave an overview of paper 3B (paper 03), the alternative to the School-Based Assessment ( SBA).

You must remember that this paper is NOT for students who are in the formal school system. Rather, it is for PRIVATE candidates, who will register outside of the school system. Students in the formal school system SHOULD do the SBA, which is to be handed in before they sit the examination. If you are not sure which applies to you, seek the advice of your teacher or, find out from the CXC office. You should be aware of what is required of you at a very early date. In fact, you should have this information before you register for the examination.

This week, I will outline the research activities you should have for each profile in order to master the alternate paper. The information I will present is taken from CXC Principles of Business, by Karlene Robinson and Sybile Hamil (2001). This information was used in the book with the permission of The Caribbean Examinations Council.

You are being reminded also, that if you are registered to do the alternate paper, you are NOT required to submit a SBA project.

The research activities for the alternate to the SBA are as follows:

PROFILE 1: ORGANISATIONAL PRINCIPLES

Candidates should be able to:

1. State the type of business enterprise described in the case study.

2. State the objectives of the business enterprise.

3. Describe the type of organisational structure to be put in place, using appropriate diagrams.

4. Outline the likely management issues that will affect the business

5. Discuss the legal issues to be considered.

PROFILE 2: PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Candidates should be able to:

1. Discuss the factors of production to be utilised.

2. Explain the factors which determine the location of the business.

3. Discuss its production and marketing strategies.

4. Comment on its storage facilities and transport arrangements.

PROFILE 3: FINANCE AND INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS

Candidates should be able to:

1. Identify possible sources of capital that would be needed in setting up a business.

2. Consider the insurance needs of the business and comment on their relevance.

3. Discuss the measures which could be instituted to ensure profitability.

4. Discuss the type(s) of contribution(s) the business could make to the economic development of the community/country.

In addition to developing the research listed above, you are also advised to observe a business in operation as often as you find it possible. You may wish to attempt to draw its organisational structure, note its production and marketing strategies and find out its financial and economic contributions to the community/country. You may wish to note other points about the business in line with the research activities outlined above.

Next week, I will present a past paper question or two, so that you can familiarise yourself with the type of questions asked on this alternate paper.

In the meantime, begin to look at the activities above with a view to master them. See you next week.

* Yvonne Harvey teaches at Glenmuir High School.