Strategic Business Leader

Marking Insight

Sdanvi Shi

SBL Tutor Guru

10th June

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Main objectives

The main objective is to …

• Review exam performance and work for improvement

• Provide the clarity on marking (both technical and professional skills marks)

• Additional exam guidance beyond specimen/past exams already provided

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Webinar agenda

1. How marking works at ACCA – marking team

2. Recap of professional skills marks

3. General principles of SBL marking

4. General comments on answers received – TT4U

5. Additional exam guidance

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1. How marking works at ACCA – marking team

Qualifications Technical

Adviser

Marking

Session Lead

Team Leader

Markers

Team Leader

Markers

Team Leader

Markers

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General principles of

professionalism (I)

2. Recap of professional skills marks (1/4)

1. Making the most important or crucial points

2. Showing a clear understanding of the

underlying issues and integrating knowledge

3. Only making relevant points

4. Not repeating points

5. Addressing the requirements as written

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General principles of

professionalism (II)

2. Recap of professional skills marks (2/4)

6. Showing an ability to prioritise and make

points in a logical and progressive way

7. Structuring and presenting the answer in a

professional manner

8. Evidencing sound knowledge from

underpinning exams

9. Demonstrating professionalism

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The five separate

professional skills will

always be tested in

each exam

2. Recap of professional skills marks (3/4)

▪ Understand the meaning of each skill

▪ Understand the three discrete aspects of

each skill

▪ Mark against grid with detailed descriptions of

levels:

• Not at all

• Not so well

• Quite well

• Very well

• Mark based on the quality and volume of

evidence of each skill observable

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2. Recap of professional skills marks (4/4)

Main Skill Aspect 1 Aspect 2 Aspect 3

Communication Inform Persuade Clarify

Commercial acumen Demonstrate awareness Use judgement Show insight

Analysis Investigate Enquire Consider

Scepticism Probe Question Challenge

Evaluation Assess Estimate Appraise

• 20 marks for professional skills

• All five will be examined

• Mark weightings across the skills will vary

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3. General principles of SBL marking (1/2)

• Suggested answers – are examples of strong answers

• Credit is given for any relevant answers

• No negative marking

• No marks lost for poor spelling or grammar

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3. General principles of SBL marking (2/2)

• Generally 1 or 2 marks per relevant point (see marking schemes

for each question)

• Marking will reflect the intellectual level demanded by the task

requirements

• Technical knowledge in context of the given scenario – not theory

• The nature of the exam – workplace tasks

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4. General comments on answers received

4.1 Irrelevant to the question

4.2 Not refer to the case

4.3 Unproper Format

4.4 Unproper knowledge

4.5 Imbalanced answer

4.6 Insufficient analysis

4.7 Poor professional skills

4.8 Poor time management

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4.1 Irrelevant to the question - Q2(b)

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4.1.1 Irrelevant to the question - student sample 1

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4.1.1 Irrelevant to the question - student sample 2

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4.2 Not refer to the case - Q1(a) & Q1(b)

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4.2.1 Not refer to the case - student sample Q1(a)

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4.2.2 Not refer to the case - student sample Q1（b）

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4.3 Unproper format – Q3

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4.3.1 Unproper format – student samples

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4.3.2 Unproper format – suggestions

• In general, remember who you are and who is your audience

• Use sub-headings & clarify a different sub task

➢ Emails

➢ Letter

➢ Briefing paper

➢ Report

➢ Slides

➢ ……..

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4.3.2 Unproper format – suggestions

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4.3.2 Unproper format – suggestions

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4.4 Unproper knowledge – Q2(a)

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4.4.1 Unproper knowledge – student sample

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4.5 Imbalanced answer – Q1(c) &Q3(b)

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4.5.1 Imbalanced answer – student sample Q1(c)

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4.5.2 Imbalanced answer – student sample Q3©

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4.6 Insufficient analysis- student sample

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4.7 Poor professional skills

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4.8 Poor time management

• Proper reading order

• Proper reading time：40 mins

• Proper writing time: 1 Mark technical skill : 2.5 mins

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5. Additional exam guidance：

▪ Avoid long paragraphs

▪ Use subheadings

▪ Say “why” as well as “what”

▪ Financial info is there for a reason(reasonable and correct)

▪ Use examples & assumptions (if possible)

▪ Conclude & Recommend (if required)

▪ Theories – how and when to use them; Using half of a theory orparts of 2 theories

▪ Answer all questions to get easy marks

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Any questions?

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Thank you!