Study Skills

EXAM TECHNIQUE

When answering problem solving questions the following verbs are often useful; install, purchase, provide, introduce, use.
Exam questions often ask for definitions of terms. Make sure you can define particular terms well, for example, chain of command, e-commerce.
When justifying your answer ensure you do not repeat the question as the reason for the justification.

TRAVEL

Arrangements

You may be asked to prepare or complete a Travel/Accommodation Request Form in the Practical Abilities project or to complete one which has been partially completed in the KU/PS paper (at Foundation level).
At Credit level, you will always be asked to justify how travel arrangements should be made.
In the Practical Abilities project, you may be asked to use the internet to search for suitable travel arrangements and then prepare an Itinerary.
EHIC was previously called E111 Form – you must now use EHIC when answering any exam questions.

Paying for Travel

Questions in exams often ask for benefits of cards to the business or the employee. Ensure your answer is specific to the question.
Travel Expenses Claim forms can be produced using spreadsheet software; using formulae allows automatic calculations, reducing the chance of errors.

PREPARATION & PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION

Types of Presentation

Graphs and charts can be produced using spreadsheet software.
Ensuring you practise completing a variety of forms as you may be asked to complete them in your Practical Abilities project or in your KU/PS exam paper.

Presenting Information to others

When defining a term in the exam, you will not get any marks if you simply repeat part of the term, for example, saying that a data projector ‘projects. You must use different wording to show you understand the terms and gain full marks.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Recent exam questions have focused on the use of paper-based sources of information - naming the source and stating what it would be used for.
One disadvantage of paper-based sources of information is that the information can go out of date quickly.
Practice using the internet to locate information, including using a search engine, as you may be asked to do this in your practical abilities project.
An organisation should promote its website by including the website address on company letterheads, business cards, advertising materials etc.

REPROGRAPHICS

Equipment & Software

You should not use the words laminate, bind or scan when describing what a laminator, binder or a scanner does.
If you are asked to name a piece of equipment used to complete a task, saying ‘computer’ is not acceptable on its own.

Staff Training

‘Train them’ is an inadequate answer to a Credit question – you must state what the training involves and why it is necessary.

In-house & external agencys

An exam question may ask you to make a recommendation as to whether an organisation should choose an in-house staff or external agency. To answer this question well you should make a comparison between the two methods and justify your recommendation.

Storage & Retrieval of Information

Filing

Electronic Filing

When you practise creating databases, always remember to have a field name for each individual item of information, for example, first name and surname, address and town.
If an exam question asks for the advantages of a database, always use specific terms, such as records, fields, etc.
A formula always begins with an = sign; if this is not entered, the calculation will not work and you will be awarded no marks in the exam.
You should also be aware of health and safety implications for operators who use computers for a significant part of their day.

Security of Information

Remember – computers/data can be protected physically by locking computer/data away or electronically by using passwords.
‘Password protection’ is usually an answer to a problem solving question. Make your answer specific – password protected computer/file/screensaver/e-mail. Don’t just say ‘use a password’.
When asked about back-up procedures in an exam, you should always state that these must be done regularly.

Sunday, 21 December 2008