Tips for Effective Industry Research

Today I came across an old article from one of our many esteemed affiliates, Matthew Evans. The article is centred around 5 tips for the best approach to take when analysing the case study industry.

Although the article relates specifically to the old T4 exam, the principles remain the same for the OCS. The industry analysis is an important part of the case studies now, with recent examiner's reports referring directly to the proper use of industry analysis within the exams. Although the company is at the centre of the case study, with a little bit of industry information provided alongside this, the examiners have highlighted the importance of not simply reciting the information found in the case study. 

Ethical Thinking - Corporate Social Responsibility

In recent years organisations have put tremendous amounts of time, money and effort into ensuring that their corporate image and reputations are better than they have ever been! 

However, as onlookers it can be hard to distinguish between those who do this simply to appear as socially responsible as possible to potential investors, customers or the general public, and between those who genuinely believe that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an important, ethical and moral part of their organisational culture, and something that they truly believe in.

"Corporate social responsibility is about how the company acts towards the community and environment in which it operates. CSR focuses on ethical business management through ways that improve and protect the environment and social relations and supply a positive public image."

2015 - The Final Push!

For many of us the last 11 months have brought with them a whole plethora of highs, lows, triumphs and obstacles. Where some have seen the year as  roaring success, others may be counting down the days until it is over and a new page can be written.

It is to those people that I would like to target now, the ones who perhaps haven't achieved what they wanted to achieve since the clock ticked over to introduce 2015!

Whether you are trying to finish your objective test that has been haunting you since February, or whether you are waiting for the turnaround in the new year and the latest case study exam, I have one tip for you...

Why not finish with a bang?! 

Three themes to come out of the recent OCS survey

It's been a week since our OCS Experience Survey went live!

We've had even more responses over the last few days and it appears that three key themes are emerging.

Overall, students have said that their exam experience went pretty well. Most students felt comfortable with the topics that were assessed and I'm pleased to say they said there were no real surprises!

So, here are the three main themes to come out of the survey:

1. Topics assessed were as expected
The good news is that the subjects that came up in the exam were alligned to the expectations of many students. Here are some of the comments we received:

Operational Case Study Student Survey!

It's been over a week since the final day of the operational case study exams finished and we have been getting lots of feedback from our students about how well they felt their exams went.

Within this article I would like to share with your some of that feedback, hopefully providing some sort of reassurance to those who felt similarly about the exam, or a little guidance to those looking to take part in the next exam in February.

We'll start of with the positives...

The problem with self-actualisation

Motivation Theory is something that, by now, we are all familiar with, and perhaps one of the most recognisable theories to date, often being the first one mentioned when the concept of motivational theory is raised, is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

To recap the theory briefly, Abraham Maslow suggested that there are five tiers of motivation; physiological, safety, belonging, esteem and self-actualisation, with each one superseding the previous factor, until you reach self-actualisation, where all of an individual’s motivational needs are met and hence, this is when they have reached the top and have become the “best that they can be”.

How to plan your revision (around your life!)

Revision is inherently not meant to be enjoyable. At the same time, we all need to do it at some point or another and we can’t put it off for ever.

With the latest set of case study exams just around the corner for operational, management and strategic case study students, it is currently crunch time when it comes to swotting up on everything you need to know!

Having spoken to many students in the past regarding all levels of exams, as well as during the lead up to these particular ones, I have had a number of questions concerning how best to approach the exam and revision process in general. Although it can be different for every student individually, one common theme I have gathered from listening to these students is that the revision is not the only thing that they have had to think about during the last few weeks.

Top tips from the CIMA Case Study markers!

Top tips from the CIMA Case Study markers!

At the recent CIMA conference there were a number of presentations by CIMA markers and case study writers. 

They gave invaluable insights into what they are looking for in the exams – and in particular they highlighted the areas where many students fall short.

This is excellent feedback for students as it 'comes straight from the horses mouth'! They have produced and marked many exams so know exactly what they are talking about!

There feedback reinforces the fact that many students are still getting the basics wrong and how with good preparation and planning many more students could be achieving passes.

Here are their top 10 tips to help you succeed:

1. Plan your answers – don’t launch straight into your answer, think about the key points you want to raise and how your going to structure it before you begin writing.

CIMA News - what you need to know! Introduction to scaled scoring for the OTs + personal calculators permitted

Hi Everyone,

A couple of interesting points were raised at the CIMA conference that we thought we would share with you.

Firstly, CIMA announced the introduction of the 'scaled score' for the Objective Test exams.

From November 1st 2015, Objective Test results will include:

1. Grade (pass or fail)
2. Sectional Performance Feedback
3. Scaled Score

Why scaled scores?

Operational Results Overview 2015

A number of interesting facts and statistics were presented at the 2015 CIMA conference last week.

The conference was attended by key people from CIMA and tuition providers including members of the Astranti team.

We would like to share with you some of the key points raised at the conference.

In this blog I am going to summarise the conference content that focused on the operational level. This included a review on the E1, P1, F1 and Operational Case Study exams. It also covered what went well for students on the previous sittings and key areas that need to be improved for the future.

The information was presented at the conference by Aneeb Farrukh, Learning Support Manager and Sharon Forbes a leading case study writer and marker.

I hope you find this summary useful as it includes some important information that could help you as you progress through your studies.

Lets start with E1…