Level 3 Exemplars

Paper 1 Section B

1

2

3

4

Comments

The candidate demonstrated adequate knowledge and understanding of accounting/ management functions and processes and was able to apply this knowledge to familiar situations to tackle business problems. The case information was analysed in relation to business decisions and the responses to changes in business environment were explained. He/She was able to communicate factual information, opinions and suggestions using appropriate business terminology.

In Question 1, the convenience of using credit card was explained. Though repayment ability was mentioned in Part (b), the discussion was irrelevant. In Question 2, technological and cultural factors were raised but the discussion was also irrelevant. In Question 3, the correct accounting principles/concepts were mentioned with brief explanations. In Question 4, the candidate failed to list the ways in which information management can support the human resources department. In Question 5, most of the transactions were correctly recorded in the Cash Book. In Question 6, workers’ concentration on one specific work procedure was mentioned but the explanation was inadequate. In Question 7, MBO was identified and brief explanations on the advantages of applying MBO were given.

The answers provided by the candidate made use of appropriate business terminology with an analysis of the business situations mentioned in the questions. This piece of work is of Level 3 in the HKDSE reporting scale.

5

Paper 2A

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Comments

The candidate demonstrated adequate knowledge and understanding of accounting functions and processes. The candidate was able to apply accounting knowledge to familiar situations. The answers to Questions 1, 2 and most parts of Question 4 were reasonable. Questions putting candidates in slightly unfamiliar situations were not well dealt with. One obvious example was the calculation of the gain on revaluation in Question 4. The adjustments in Question 5 were often incorrect. The calculation of ratios in Question 7 was especially disappointing. The candidate did not do well in costing questions which demanded synthesis and analytical skills. Both Questions 3 and 6 were less satisfactorily answered.

The candidate was able to analyse information in relation to business decisions. In Question 2(c), the candidate was able to conclude that the consistency principle had been violated. In Question 6, the candidate worked out the margin of safety but was not able to explain its importance to the management. It was obvious that the candidate was only able to communicate factual information, opinions and suggestions using appropriate business terminology and presentation skills.

This piece of work is of Level 3 in HKDSE reporting scale.

18

Paper 2B

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

Comments

For most of the questions, the candidate demonstrated adequate knowledge and understanding of business management concepts. To a certain extent, the candidate was able to apply the concepts to analysing various management issues. For example, the candidate partially identified some uses of performance appraisal in Question 1. In Question 2, factors in granting credit were pointed out but the relevant technical concepts were not identified. In Question 3, the candidate pointed out the possibility of repurchase by existing customers but did not mention the differences in cost. In Question 4, the candidate recognised the progressive disciplinary actions but wrongly identified the measure of salary reduction. In Question 5, the candidate showed adequate understanding of the advantages of divisional departmentalisation because of differences across regions. In Question 6, the candidate was able to point out the importance of contract. In Question 7, the candidate understood the concepts of risk management and marketing research methods but could not provide an answer on promotion mix. In Question 8, the candidate showed some understanding of Theory X, monetary rewards and service characteristics but the application of these concepts to the case was inadequate. The candidate understood the payback period and its disadvantages but failed to arrive at the correct answer of NPV. In Question 10, the candidate elaborated on the marketing mix instead of the characteristics of the growth stage. The candidate was able to point out some advantages of internal promotion but the answer could have been more detailed. This piece of work is of Level 3 in the HKDSE reporting scale.

35