Business Services 2024 HSC exam pack

Students should:

• read the question carefully to ensure that they do not miss important components of the question
• have a clear understanding of key words in the question and recognise the intent of the question and its requirements
• use the first page of the answer booklet for an extended response to develop a plan to assist in the logical sequencing of information
• engage with what the question is asking rather than presenting a pre-prepared response
• relate to the question throughout the response rather than just at the beginning
• ensure each extended response answer is completed in a separate writing booklet
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HSC Content from the syllabus
• communicate ideas and information using relevant workplace examples
• use relevant industry terminology
• be prepared to address a range of industry issues
• demonstrate knowledge of employability skills relevant to various situations
• present a logical and cohesive response that answers the question
• review their response to ensure that it addresses the question requirements. 

Question 16

In better responses, students were able to:

• use appropriate terminology linked to the relevant focus area of sustainability
• write a clear, concise and accurate definition of the term corporate social sustainability (a)
• clearly link the benefits of sustainable work practices to a business services workplace, such as being compliant, improving business reputation and positive environmental impacts, for example, being more energy efficient (b).

Areas for students to improve include:

• understanding and using business services terminology relevant to the response
• identifying sustainable work practices and linking to specific benefits that could be experienced by a business services workplace, for example, improving reputation (b).

Question 17

In better responses, students were able to:

• demonstrate a clear link between how the personal opinions of a worker could affect their daily work in a business, for example, affecting collegial relationships (a)
• provide characteristics and features of how one piece of technology can assist in task scheduling and completion, for example, a calendar can set reminders that can be checked off when a task is complete (b)
• use appropriately technology terminology in the response (b).

Areas for students to improve include:

• providing more than a general comment on personal opinions or conflict in a workplace (a)
• linking the relationship between a specific piece of technology and task scheduling, prioritising and completion (b)
• understanding key terminology and using it appropriately.

Question 18

In better responses, students were able to:

• describe specific costs workplace injuries can have on a business such as economic costs, for example, replacing the work and medical bills or organisational costs like loss of business safety reputation (a)
• explain logical, sequential steps of one procedure following an accident or emergency such as reporting the incident, evacuation of a building or providing first aid (b)
• show cause and effect of how and why one procedure should be followed after an accident or emergency has occurred, for example, after an injury an incident or accident report should be completed keeping a detailed record of the injury and the first aid provided as well as witness statements (b).

Areas for students to improve include:

• providing more than a general comment in relation to cost or a vague estimate of the financial cost of injury (a)
• providing detail in relation to explaining one procedure that needs to be followed rather than just a description (b)
• understanding key safety terminology and using it appropriately in the response.

Question 19

In better responses, students were able to:

• demonstrate a clear link between the importance of work health and safety policies and the need to monitor, record and report issues in the workplace, for example, gathering details about safety records and keeping data to avoid  incidents reoccurring (a)
• provide a detailed explanation of the importance of checking both validity and source of workplace information and the impact it has on a business (b)
• use correct business terminology and provide relevant examples to support the reasoning or explanation, for example, if the workplace information isn't from a reliable source, then the business may be using inaccurate data (b).

Areas for students to improve include:

• linking how the monitoring and reporting of incidents help a business to maintain a safe and healthy workplace (a)
• providing the implications through the explanation for a business that does not check the validity and source of workplace information (b).

Question 20

In better responses, students were able to:

• demonstrate why both the cost and workplace culture need to be considered before a workplace change is implemented, for example, to budget for the financial implications involved with the change and ensure employees are willing to adapt to the change (a)
• demonstrate how an office assistant can maintain electronic data in a business and ensure its security through protocols such as password protection, file tracking and firewalls (b)
• link the workplace use of maintenance and security protocols to a secure information system with the support of workplace examples where relevant (b).

Areas for students to improve include:

• understanding the impacts of changes in a business environment on the business finances and culture (a)
• acknowledging and responding to the stimulus of an office assistant and new electronic filing system (b)
• using syllabus terminology supported by relevant business examples (b).

In better responses, students were able to:

• distinguish between sustainability and safety as separate syllabus focus areas
• demonstrate knowledge of the term environmental compliance and define its meaning of adhering to legal requirements (a)
• show an understanding of the reporting process overall rather than focusing on a singular aspect of reporting (b)
• provide a link between non-compliance of the policies, procedures and laws and the impact of the consequences on the business, people and/or the environment such as legal proceedings and loss of reputation (c).

Areas for students to improve include:

• answering each part of the question as separate parts and clearly labelling
• responding using terminology and concepts from the relevant syllabus focus area of sustainability
• engaging with key words in the question such as process or consequences (b,c)
• describing the process of reporting rather than describing what an environmental hazard is (b)
• integrating workplace examples that demonstrate knowledge of environmental compliance within a business (c).

In better responses, students were able to:

• integrate and sustain a range of relevant diversity and inclusion strategies as well as workplace examples such as cultural sensitivity training, diverse celebrations and flexible work arrangements
• distinguish between diversity and inclusion in the response
• integrate relevant industry terminology, for example, non-verbal communication methods, cultural awareness, facilitating participation
• show the cause and effect of the strategies that promote diversity and inclusion.

Areas for students to improve include:

• planning the response to ensure it is logical, cohesive and sustained
• integrating specific examples of businesses that promote diversity and inclusion well, and the effect it has on the business
• elaborating on the strategies to show the cause and effect rather than listing the strategies that promote diversity and inclusion avoiding general comments about diversity or inclusion.