Reading the question requirements

  • Close reading of the exam question requirements is an essential skill.
  • You should aim to identify the verb, which area of the syllabus is being examined (the key theory) and how you are expected to apply the syllabus area.
  • The structure of the requirement can also help you to identify how you should structure your answer.
  • Look at the marks available also as this should give an indication of how much you are expected to write.
     

Example 3: (Taken from Q1 from the sample questions from September 2015/December 2015)


Q1(ii) For each of the three critical success factors at IC, briefly explain a weakness of the current KPI associated with that CSF and then provide a justified KPI.  (6 marks)


Verb – explain/justify
Syllabus area – the relationship between CSFs and KPIs
Application – from the scenario identify IC’s three CSFs and their current KPI
Structure – there are three CSFs so your answer should have a heading for each one. Under each heading explain a weakness the current KPI and then justify an alternative KPI.

Example 4: (Taken from Q1 from the sample questions from September 2015/December 2015)


Q1(iii) Explain what the three improvement projects are, how they will help to meet the CSFs at IC and comment on the impact of each project on the existing three KPIs.  (15 marks)

Verb – explain/comment
Syllabus area – quality initiatives and their impact on CSFs and KPIs
Application – from the scenario identify the three improvement projects and from part (ii) you should already have identified the current CSFs and KPIs
Structure – there are three improvement projects so your answer should have a main heading for each one. Under each main heading there should be three sub-headings which should explain firstly what the improvement project is, secondly how it will help to meet the CSFs and thirdly its impact on the existing KPIs.

The technical article, 'Reading the question requirements of P5' (see 'Related links') gives several more examples of how to read the requirements of P5 exam questions – providing valuable insight into what is expected of you in your exam.

You can also watch another eight minutes or so of the P5 effective study and exam technique video (access the streaming video if you don't have access to YouTube), which talks you though this process. If you want to do this, start watching at about 35 minutes in.

Related Links