Exam Success - Objective Tests - CIMA

1 March 2016 Christian Gagiano ACMA, CGMAL earning Support Manager Exam Success - Objective Tests Getting started -understanding Objective Tests (OT) Study tips Exam techniques for Objective testsAgenda2 Getting started3 The 2015 CIMA Qualification4 All certificate level and professional level subjects are examined by Objective Test Questions (OTQs) Assessment can be taken anytime of the year whenever you are ready exams can be taken at over 5,000 Pearson VUE centresaround the world Objective Tests5 Multiple choice Multiple response Drag and drop Hot spot Short answer (normally calculation) Drop down Matching Ranking Sentence completionOTQs -Not just MCQs6 Multiple response7 Drag and drop8 Drag and drop9 Short Calculation10 Numerical question1112 Data analysis13 Scenario based question14 OT s test technical competency across all syllabus areas Guarantee that all component learning outcomes will be tested Targeted questions to ensure thorough understanding & proficiency Easy to answer but not an easy testAssuring competency15 Duration.

2 90 minutes (+ 15 min mandatory tutorial) 60 Objective test questions Computer marked Pass mark = 100 scaled score (out of 150) Result given immediately Available year-round Exam registration through MY CIMA up to 48hrs before examination Exam logistics 16 Bring TWO forms of identification (Passport/ driving license/ credit card) Possible to bring your own calculator in 2015 (selected models) Guidance on exam day( )Exam day 17 Study tips18 Self assessment and planning to win 19 Exemptions?Last attempt ?How much Time ?When to complete ?E1P1F1 OCS150 hrs150 hrs150 hrs60 hrs40 hrs10-14 weeks10-14 weeks10-14 weeks6-8 weeks9-12 months to complete a levelUnderstanding your syllabus weighting20 Understanding syllabus requirements21 Lead Learning OutcomeComponent Learning OutcomeIndicative syllabus content Lead learning outcome/ Component learning outcome Define the skill or ability that students should be able to exhibit in an examination Demonstrate the approach likely to be taken in examination questions All learning outcomes are examinable Indicative syllabus knowledge Show typical topics that should be covered Non-exhaustive and not restricted to those listed Understanding syllabus requirements 2223 Case studies(Long and short answer essay questions)

3 Objective tests54321 A1(a) discussthe different purposes of organisations Discuss Level 4 Examine in detail by argument High level verb. Students are expected to have the knowledge of different purposes of organisations ( profit/ non-profit) To be able to apply the knowledge ( to a scenario if given) To present an argument from more than one angle This LO can be tested in both OTQ and Case StudyVerb Hierarchy -example24 Plan ahead fail to plan = plan to fail Must cover the full syllabus Allocate time according to weighting Focus on learning outcomes rather than on content alone Make good use of all study resources Practice under exam conditions Form a study group and be supported Find ways that work for you own your study!Study tips25 Exam techniques Objective tests26 Know your platform27 Fill in the blank (number entry) questions28 Currency symbols or other characters or symbols ( %) you do not need to enter these.

4 Decimal point you need to enter the decimal point but no other characters as above ( For 10, input as Probability or a correlation coefficient you should include the leading zero ( not .5) Negative numbers ( -1000) use the minus sign. Sensible rounding -small range of answers accepted. Fill in the blank (number entry) questions29 Error message if you try to enter a character or symbol that is not permitted ( or % ) !Rounding30 How many decimal places or significant figures? -guidance given in the question If no guidance given?-give your answer to the nearest whole number (error message if you attempt to give an answer to, for example, 2 decimal places when a whole number is required. Do not round until you have completed your access Tables and FormulaeThe size of the tables and formulae can be adjusted and moved across the management in OT Exams33 90 minutes and 60 questions = 90 seconds per question Each question is equal in marks weighting Variety of question types -some questions require more or less time, but overall assessment is balanced Time management strategy is based on the question style and time required for reading, thinking and calculationsShort questions, quick to answer with confidenceLonger questions where the approach to answer is known with confidenceShort questions where more consideration of the options is requiredLonger questions.))

5 With more complex data where the approach required to answer the question has to be considered374 types of typeConfidenceTime1 Short questions where you feel confident about the content,therefore quick to answer2 Longer questions where you feel confident about the approachrequired3 Short questions where you are less confident and will need togive more consideration / thought / workings4 Longer questions, with more complex data where you need toconsider the approach required toanswer the questionStep 1: Quick skim through using the Next button39 Take about 10 to 15 minutes to click Next through all 60 items, identifying and answering the questions in category 1 Brief knowledge and definition questions where the correct answer is identified quickly without the need for re-reading of the stem or the options.

6 At the end of the first run-through, you may have answered 10 to 15 questions with confidence. This confidence will allow you to relax a little and approach the remaining questions more calmly. Suggested approach Step 140 Step 2: Review incomplete questions41 Use the function Review Incomplete Items in the review screen Identify questions from category 2 You know the approach to answering and also know that you would prefer to have less time pressure in answering. Such questions would include those requiring analysis of a short scenario / set of data or calculations where you know what those calculations need to be. Depending on the subject being examined, this could get you up to another 20 to 30 questionsSuggested approach Step 242 Use the function Review Incomplete Items again, this time tackling the questions in categories 3 and 4 You know that you have to think in more detail about the options or workings.

7 Do not spend too long on any one question (a maximum of 3 minutes). If you think you need more time to review a question , submit your best answer and click the Flag button so that you can review the question in any time remaining after all questions have been attempted. Use any remaining time to review flagged questions, making sure that you consider the options or calculations approach Step 343 Step 3: Using the flag function44 Step 3: Using the flag function45 Step 4: Ensuring no incomplete questions46 After 85 minutes, a window will pop up to alert you that there are5 minutes remaining. Return to the review screen; click Review Incomplete Items and ensure that an answer is submitted for every question . At the end of the 90 minutes available, the exam will close down.

8 All complete answers, including those which have been flagged will be recorded for scoring. Any which are incomplete will earn no approach Step 447 Negative marking (for wrong answers, you won t lose marks) Partial marking (you either earn a mark or don t earn any marks. only a correct and complete answer will earn the marks, and partial answers will earn no marks) In OT exams , there is NO:48 Pay special attention to multi-response questions4950 Pay special attention to multi-response questions Preliminary pass/ fail when leaving the exam centre Overall grade (pass or fail) is based on overall performance on the exam Against each syllabus topic area you will also receive a grade of either Proficient or Not Proficient Proficient= scored above the boundary required to demonstrate competence Non Proficient = scored below the boundary required to demonstrate competenceObjective test exam result51 Know your Time Careful question reading is a must.

9 If in doubt, read again Don t miss any question or leave it incomplete (no marks) Try to get the easy marks first All questions carry equal marks but they are not equal in timeExam tips52 THANK YOU CIMA