The final examination
Yvonne Harvey, Contributor

You are fast approaching the final examination in principles of business. This lesson will outline the format of the exam and give you some tips that, if applied, will enable you to reap success. Papers 1 and 2 of the examination are on May 27.

Paper 1 is the multiple choice paper. It will consist of 60 items taken from across the three profile dimensions.

(1) Organisational principles

(2) Production, marketing and finance

(3) The business environment.

You will be given one hour and 15 minutes to complete the paper. Each question will have four suggested answers. The candidate is required to select what he/she considers to be the best answer and indicate it on the answer sheet provided in the way instructed. The multiple choice paper is 30 per cent of the overall marks.

Paper 2 is the structured essay paper. It will be divided into two sections. Section A will consist of three compulsory questions from sections 1,2,5,6 and 7 of the syllabus. Section B will consist of four questions: two from sections 1-7 and two from sections 8-10.

Five questions

Candidates will be required to answer two questions from this section. Candidates will, therefore, answer five questions in all. Each question will be worth 20 marks. This paper is 50 per cent of the overall marks.

You will be wise to consult your principles of business syllabus to find the section titles for each profile, dimension and section.

Those of you in school systems will have already submitted your school- based assessments for a possible 20 per cent of the overall marks.

Private candidates will sit Paper 3/2 in lieu of or as an alternative to the SBA. This paper is also worth a possible 20 per cent. The details of this paper can be found in the principles of business syllabus, pages 37-38.

Study in advance

You should have already begun studying for the exam. Studying well in advance of the date of the examination will allow time for adequate rest, meditation and exercise. I suggest you begin with the topics found later in the syllabus and those topics you find more difficult.

As you study for the POB examination, do NOT spread yourself too thin, by studying too few topics. Remember that many of the questions may involve more than one topic. Endeavour, therefore, to study thoroughly, as many topics as is humanly possible, in order to enhance your chances of doing well in the examination.

Practise recent past papers

Study in groups where possible and have a bank of the most recent past papers so that you can practise answering questions.

Additionally, the homework assignments that I presented in the principles of business lessons will prove useful.

Use index cards to write down the main headings and points for each topic. These will serve as last-minute reminders, just before you enter the examination room.

Always study with resource texts nearby to clarify areas of difficulty. Most texts also have questions useful for revision purposes.

Before you sit each examination, pray to God for guidance and arm yourselves with the appropriate writing implements. Take along extra pens and pencils.

Listen to and follow the instructions given by the invigilators of the examinations and DO NOT PANIC.

Choose your questions wisely. Avoid questions where you can only answer, say one out of four parts. Read your questions carefully and note the verbs at the beginning of the questions. These will indicate to you exactly what you are required to do e.g. list, suggest, explain, describe, analyse etc. Indicate clearly and accurately sections and questions being attempted. Use the marks for each part question to guide the amount of detail needed for each part of the question.

Finally my friends, I wish you all every success, not only in principles of business, but in all subjects you will be doing. Remember, if you have sown good seeds, you will reap good fruit. Bye.

Shunea Bailey (right) gets assistance from her teacher Majorie Hinds during a design art class at Bridgeport High School recently. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

Yvonne Harvey teaches at Glenmuir High School.