The final examination
Yvonne Harvey, Contributor

Hello again. I don't know about you, but I certainly cannot believe that it is really exam time again. This lesson is the last for this academic year and it will outline the format of the exam and give you some tips to help you to remain focused. Ultimately, you should reap success. Papers 01 and 02 of the examination are on May 28.

Paper 01 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 1 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 02 structure

Paper 02 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 questions from Sections 8-10. 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 (SBAs) for a possible 20 per cent of the overall marks. Private candidates will sit Paper 03/2 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 and examination tips

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 that you begin with the topics found later in the syllabus and those topics that you find more difficult so that you will have a longer time to understand and remember them.

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.

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 these lessons should 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, for example list, suggest, explain, describe, analyse and so on.

Indicate clearly and accurately sections and questions being attempted. Use the marks for each part question to guide you as to how much detail is needed for each part of the question.

Place to study

Have a definite place to study, and never do anything except study at that place. Arm yourselves with the relevant revision 'tools' - these include your notebooks, textbooks, syllabus, past-paper questions, writing paper and index cards for those of you who may choose to use them.

Don't try to learn all of your lesson material at one sitting. Many candidates make the mistake of continually revising the topics they know well and like. You should begin with the topics on which the syllabus places emphasis and those topics you find the most difficult. Also, do not change from one subject to another or one topic to another without taking a rest. In changing from one topic to another, choose one that is as different as possible from the first one.

Adequate sleep and exercise are important to doing well in the examination.

So long 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 and all the best for the future.

Esther Tyson, principal of Ardenne High School, receives an award at a Kingston Bookshop teachers' appreciation luncheon recently at the Hilton Kingston hotel. Sonia Fuller, director of administration, does the presentation honours. The Jamaica Independent Schools' Association was recognised for its contribution to national development.

Yvonne Harvey teaches at Glenmuir High School.