Business Studies 2017 HSC exam pack

Section II

Students should:

• use reading time to examine questions and consider how to respond to them
• answer the specific question rather than write all they know about the topic
• avoid rewriting the question
• take time to plan for questions worth 4 or more marks
• ensure that any scenario or stimulus provided is integrated into their response
• ensure they address the key words in the question, such as ‘assess’, ‘justify’, ‘recommend’, ‘explain’. This key word should guide the structure of their answer.

Students should expect:

• questions to have varying difficulty and value
• to apply their knowledge to a range of content and business issues across the entire course
• to use real business examples to support their answers.

Students can prepare for this section of the examination by:

• applying theory to real world business while studying the course
• paying attention to the instructions ‘students learn to’ as well as ‘students learn about’ in the syllabus
• keeping up with media releases regarding business issues
• practising writing plans for responses using past HSC papers.

In better responses, students were able to:

• answer the question and avoid rewriting questions or adding unnecessary information
• integrate the scenario/stimulus, demonstrating the ability to apply theory to business problem-solving
• demonstrate deep knowledge by way of details of influences, processes and strategies.

Section III and IV

Students should:

• answer the question asked rather than writing everything known about the topic
• write a plan for their response
• use their case studies and any stimulus provided in their response
• use relevant business terminology
• address the key words, for example ‘explain’, ‘describe’, ‘analyse’.

Students should expect:

• questions to be of varying difficulty
• to support questions requiring an opinion with relevant business reasoning.

Students can prepare for this section of the examination by:

• using past papers and their marking guidelines to practise their responses
• writing plans in response to questions from past HSC papers
• ensuring that they can use up-to-date case study material to illustrate business theory in action.

In better responses, students were able to:

• directly answer the question using relevant syllabus information
• make extensive use of their case studies or the stimulus given
• use relevant business concepts and terminology and provide logical, cohesive and sustained responses.

Question 21

In better responses, students were able to:

• clearly show how improvements to operations processes could be applied to improve customer service at a bank
• provide a detailed judgement drawing on the features of a relevant operations strategy that would improve the bank’s long-term success.

Question 22

In better responses, students were able to:

• demonstrate a clear understanding of ethical behaviour in marketing and its importance to this business scenario
• show detailed knowledge of consumer laws and their specific impact on promotions strategies.

Question 23

In better responses, students were able to:

• accurately show the features of monetary and non-monetary rewards and the differences between them
• provide features of TWO specific indicators of effective human resources management relevant to conflict and uncertainty in the workplace, and reasons for using these indicators.

Question 24

In better responses, students were able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the effects of an appreciating Australian dollar on the competitive position of this importer
• provide clear arguments, including a definite conclusion, for a suitable method of payment that reduces financial risk for this importer.

Question 25

In better responses, students were able to:

• understand how to address the directive terms in the different parts of the question
• clearly integrate the stimulus throughout their response
• explain specific strategies to improve financial performance
• explain the importance of monitoring and controlling with reference to the business’s marketing strategy.

Question 26

In better responses, students were able to:

• understand the impact of different influences on a business and make the implications for human resources management explicit
• apply relevant case studies in a sustained way to effectively illustrate influences and their impacts.

Question 27

In better responses, students were able to:

• provide clear and explicit links between globalisation and its implications for business operations
• apply relevant case studies in a sustained way to effectively illustrate the impact of globalisation on operations.