BPP Tutor Toolkit Copy [Also consider other practical factors such as the structure, clerty and level of detail of the report, and whether it distorts the meaning of data. ‘Where relevant to the requirement, look for positive as well as negative Features of the report. Complete your answer plan and write up your answer. IF you are asked to recommend improvements, make sure these relate specifically tothe orgonisation in the scenario and its context, rathor than being generic points. ‘Skils Checkpoint 3 in the APM BPP Workbook covers this technique in detail through application to on exam-standard question. Skill : Critical analysis The overall aim of the APM syllabus highlights that candidates should be able to exercise professional judgement in selecting and applying strategic management accounting techniques in different business contests, As such, iis important to critically analyse the techniques that you study, for example to consider whether a certain technique would be eppropriate for an ‘organisation to use in a certain situation of not. This skill requires you not only to understand the techniques, but also to appreciate their potential ‘advantages or disadvantages. Just because an organisation in a question scenario is thinking ‘about introducing @ new technique does not necessarily mean that technique is appropriate fer the organisation. The okill of critical anclysis can potentially be applied to any syllabus area jn APM, and can be an Important ingredient in developing a discussion that addresses the question scenario in a wey that edde value. A step-by-step tachnique for critical analysis is outlined below. ‘Analyse the scenario and requirements. Ensure that you recognise the possibilty thata critical approach to your anelysis can be used to ‘add value’ Plan your answer. Without adopting a hyper-critical approach, ensure \you'te your answer is balanced, in terms of identifying the potential benefits and limitations of techniques that are being used or recommended, ‘As you write your answer, try wherever possible to apply your analysis to the scenario, instead of simply writing about erticisms (or benefits) in generic, technical terms. ‘Skills Checkpoint ln the APM BPP Workbook covers this technique in detail through application to on exam-standard question. Skill 5: Addressing the scenario All of the questions in the APM exam will be scenario-based. Iie vital that you use the information in the scenario to ensure that the discussion points that you {are making in your answer are ‘relevant’. The discussion parts of « question — applying your knowledge to the scenario — will narmelly account for the mojority of the marks avoilable. Although you need to have « good underlying knowledge of « number of theories andl frameworks, in the APM exam you will primarily be tested on your ability to apply your theoretical knowledge to the scenario in question, not your ability to simply recite it. The APM ACCA ‘examining teom often comment that candidates who repeat memorised material ‘will probably seore only batween 20% and 30%... BPP We Advonced Performance Management (APM) LeagnineBPP Tutor Toolkit Copy ‘A 900d, professional-level answer needs to go beyond the mere repetition of how a technique works and focus on relating it to the entity's specific environment, as identified in the question ‘The skill of addressing the scencrio is the most important of the APM specific all, It fe relevant to every syllabus crea, and every question in the APM exom. Astep-by: top technique for addressing the scenario is outlined below. Allow at least 30% of your cllotted time for analysing the scenario and the requiremente. Being by analysing the requirements so thet you know: what you are looking fer when you read the scenario, Prepare an answer plan using key words from the requirements os headings. Complete your answer plan by working through each ‘paragraph of the question identifying specific points that ore relevant to the scenario and requirement, to make sure you generate enough points to score @ pass mark, ‘As you write your answer, explain what you mean ~ in one (or two) sentence(9) - and then explain why this matters in the given scenario. This should resultin a series of short paragraphs that address the specific context of the scenario, Avoid quoting theory at length. Skills Checkpoint in the APM BPP Workbook covers this technique in detail through application to.an exem-standard question. Exam success skills Passing the APM exam requires more than applying syllobus knowledge ond demonstrating the specific APM skils: it also requires the development of excallent exam technique through question practice. We consider the following six sis to be vitel for exam success. The Skills Chackpoints show how each of these sills can be applied in the exam. Exam success skill 1 Managing information (Questions in the exam will present you with clot of information. The skill is how you handle this Information to make the best use of your time, The key is determining how you will approach the ‘exam end then actively reading the questions. Advice on developing Managing information Approach The exams 3 hours 15 minutes long. There is ne designated ‘reading’ time at the start of the ‘exam, however, one approach that can work wel sto start the exam by spending 10-15 minutes carefully reading through cil of the questions to familiarise yourself with the exam poper. Once you fee! familir with the exam paper consider the order in which you will attempt the |questions; chways attempt thom in your order of preference. For example, you may want to leave to last the question you consider to be the most difficult. If you do toke this approach, ramember to adjust the time available for each question oppropriately ~ see Exam success skill 6: Good time management. IF you find that this approach doesn't work for you, don't worry — you can develop your own technique. Active reading ‘You must take an active approach to reading each question. Focus on the requirement first, Undertining/ highlighting key verbs such as ‘prepare’, ‘comment, ‘explain, ‘discuss’, to ensure you lonswer the question properly. Then read the vest of the question, underlining/ighlighting ond BPP Introduction Tr2020BPP Tutor Toolkit Copy annotating important and relevant information, and making notes of any relevant technical information you think you will need. 2 Exam suecess skill 2 Correct interpretation ofthe requirements The active verb used often dictates the approach that written answors shoul tke (og ‘explain’, ‘discuss, evaluate) tis importent you identify and use the verb to define your approach. The correct interpretation of the requirements skill means correctly producing only what is being «shed for by @ requirement. Anything not required wil not earn marks. ‘Advice on developing correct interpretation ofthe requirements This al can be developed by analysing question requirements and applying this process: Read the requirement Firtly, read the requirement a couple of times slowly and carefully and highlight the active verbs. Use the active verbs to define what you plan to do. Make sure you identify any sub-requirements and amy topies which uou are specifically told you de not need to cover in your answer. In. APM ~ particulerly in Section A questions — the requirement can be embedded in the scenario, For example, in the scenario, the CEO may ‘sk you analyse or evaluate something, and then the requirement will ‘ask you to respond to the CEO's instruction. Therefore, the Importance of reading the requirements relates to these requirements embedded in the scenario, as well as the requirements identified separately at the end of the scenario. Road the rest of the question By reading the requirement first, you will have an idea of what you ore looking out for as you read through the scenario and any exhibits. This is A ofent time sewer and manne yn dan and ps hewing te rand the whee question in full twice. You should do this in an active way ~ see Exam success skill : Managing Information. Read the requirement again Read the requirement again to remind! yourself of the exact wording before starting your written answer. This will copture any rmisinterpretation of the requirements or any missed requirements entirely. This should become a haibit in your opproach and, with repeated practice, you will find the focus, relevance and depth of your ‘answer plan wil improve. 3. Exam success skill 3 Answer planning: Priorities, structure and logic This skill requires the planning of the key aspects of en answer which accurately and completely responds to the requirement. Advice on developing Answer planning: Priorities, structure and logle Everyone will have a proferred style for an answer plan. For example, it may be a mind map or bullet-pointed lists. Choose the approach that you feel most comfortable with, or, if you are not ure, ry out different approaches for different questions until you have found your preferred style. 4 Exam suecess skill Efficient numerical analysis This skill cims to maximise the marks awarded by making clear to the marker the process of arriving at your onswer. This is achieved by layirg out an answer such that, even If you make a {few errors, you can stil score subsequent marks fer follow-on calculations. Itis vital that you do not lose marks purely because the marker eannet fellow what you have dene. BPP Y Will Advonced Performance Management (APM) LeagnineBPP Tutor Toolkit Copy Advice on developing Efficient numerical analysis This ckill can be developed by applying the following process: Use a standard proforma working where relevant {answers can be laid out in a standard proforma then always plan to do ‘0. This will help the marker to understand your working and allocate the ‘marks easily. It will alzo help you to work through the figures in a ‘methodical and time-efficient way. ‘Show your workings ‘Keop your workings os clear and simple as possible and ensure they ore cross-referenced to the main part of your answer. Whore it helps, provide brief narrative explanations to help the marker understand the steps in the calouletion. This means that if « mistake fs made you do not lose any subsequent marks for follow-on colcuiations. Koop moving! Itis important to remember that, in an exam situation, it ean sometimes bbe difficult to get every number 100% correct. The key is therefore tensuring you do not spend too long on any single celculation. IF you ere struggling with a solution then make a sensible assumption, state it and 5 Exam success skill 5 Effective writing and presentation \Written answers should be presented so that the marker can clearly see the points you are. making, presented in the format specified in the question. The skill is to provide efficient written onswers with sufficient breadth of points that answer the question, in the right depth, in the time ovailable. Advice on developing Effective writing and presentation, Use headings Using the headings ond sub-headings from your answer plan will give {your answer structure, order and logic. This will ensure your answer links back to the requirement and is clearly signposted, making it easier for the marker to understand the different points you are making. Underlining your headings will alee help the marker. ‘Write your answer in short, but full, sentences Use short, punchy sentences with the cim that every sentence should say something different and generate marks. Write in full sentences, ensuring Lyour style Is professional. Do your calculations first and explanation second ‘Questions often ask for an explanation with supporting calculations. The best approach is to prepare the calculation first but present it on the ‘bottom half of the page of your answer, or on the next page. Then add ‘the explanation before the calculation. Performing the calculation first should enable you to explain what you have done, 6 Exam success skill 6 Good time managemont This skill means planning your time across all the requirements so thet cll tasks have been attempted at the end of the 3 hours 15 minutes avellable ond actively checking on time during {your exam. This is 0 that you can flex your appreach and priertise requirements which, in your judgement, will generate the maximum marks in the available time remaining. BPP Introduction x iyBPP Tutor Toolkit Copy Advice on developing Good time management The exam is 3 hours 18 minutes long, which translates to 1.95 minutes per mark. Therefore a 10- _mork requirement should be allocated o maximum of 20 minutes to complete Your answer before {you move on to the next task. At the beginning of c question, work out the amount of time you should be spending on each requirement. If you take the approach of spending 10-15 minutes reading and planning ot the start of the exam, adjust the time allocated to each question ‘accordingly: eg if you allocate 16 minutes to recding. then you will have 3 hours remaining, which Is 1.8 minutes per mark. Keep an eye on the clock ‘Aim to attempt all requirements, but be ready to be ruthless and move on if your answer is not ¢geing os plonned. The challenge for many Is sticking to planned timings. Be aware this is difficult te achieve in the early stages of your etudies and be ready to lt this skill develop over time. If you find yourself running short on time and know that a full answer is not possible in the time {you have, consider recreating your plan in overview form and then add key terms and details os time allows. Remember, come marks may be aveleble, for example, simply stating a conclusion which you don't have time to justify in Full ‘Question practice ‘Question practicg is @ core part of leaming new topic areas. When you practice questions, you should focus on improving the Exam success skis ~ personal to your needs — by obtaining feedback or through o process of self-assessment. BPP weoa"® Xx Advonced Performance Management (APM)