ATAR Notes: Forum

Archived Discussion => Humanities Exams => HSC Exam Discussion 2017 => Results => New South Wales => Business Studies Exam Discussion => Topic started by: aattard on October 26, 2017, 12:13:54 pm

Title: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: aattard on October 26, 2017, 12:13:54 pm
Hey all! My name is Andrew and I am the Business Studies lecturer and author of the notes.

Firstly... CONGRATS ON FINISHING THIS EXAM!!! Trust me when I say this... you've probably done better than what you expect!

This thread is here for you to share your thoughts of the exam. Let it out below!

Im working on the answers now and I'll post them as they come!

THE MULTIPLE CHOICE!

Spoiler
1. B (Human resources)
2. D (Total Quality Management)
3. A (A strength to overcome a threat
4. D (All means short and long term, the answer is: Solvency)
5. C (Selective)
6. D (Internal Equity Finance)
7. C (Sociocultural)
8. A (Implied Conditions)
9. D (Transformation)
10. D (Price discrimination)
11. B (Employers)
12. D (Accounts receivable turnover ratio)
13. A (To improve cash flow)
14. (Industrial - first I thought Resource but you guys make great points. I am now erring on industrial side as most likely)
15. D (Comparative radio analysis)
16. C (possibly A, however unlikely - so I believe the answer is Introducing a community health program)
17. Not sure on this one - what do you guys think?
18. A (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)
19.C (Social)
20. Also not sure on this one - what did you put down? The general consensus from the comment section is that everyone put down D! Which is: Sales: $600,000, Net Profit: $300,000

Business Report
Spoiler
2 Strategies to Improve Financial Performance
Since profit is reducing we can use strategies like profitability management:
•Profitability Management
–Maximise difference between revenue and costs
–To resolve:
•Cost Controls:
–Fixed and Variable: reduce labour and inputs costs (variable easier), outsource non-core functions, reduce waste, negotiate discounts, JIT, increase customer self-service, ‘casualised’ workforce, share firm resources
–Cost Centers: ea dept. has own budget to monitor and minimise waste and maximise resource use – helps identify improvement areas and sets budgets to fix it
–Expense Minimisation: find area which contributes highest cost, and minimise them first via budgets , reducing cash outflow
•Revenue Controls:
–Marketing objectives: ensure plans achieve higher sales revenue via forecasts, sales mix, pricing policy
–Adjust Prices: according to demand, over stocking, quantity sold to maximise revenue in any situation

Since they are becoming a more globalised business we could also talk about Global Financial Management Strategies
•Global Financial Management
–Exchange Rates: value of country’s currency calculated against another
•Influence profits, prices and stability of business (is always uncertain/changes)
•Impacts of appreciation/depreciation when exporting/importing
–Interest Rates: cost of borrowing money
•Rate volatility, risk, banking technology, different laws
•Impacts of higher/lower interest rates domestically and overseas
–To resolve:
•Methods of International Payment
–Payment in Advance: payment received before goods sent - least risk for exporter
–Letter of Credit: secure bank doc authorises specific deposit under specific conditions
–Bills of Exchange: seller provides written order requesting amount @ time when official shipping documents are received
–Clean Payment: goods sent before payment received - most exporter risk
•Hedging: enter contracts using one single currency – Aus/China = USA - even out
•Derivative: Forward Exchange (future rate/date), currency option (buy/sell spot rate), Swap contract (use the same, agreed upon rates to swap currency)


Any 2 of these with detailed discussion is great. What makes papers AMAZING  is their ability to LINK THE STRATEGY TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GOAL. YOU SHOULD BE CLEAR ON FOCUSING DISCUSSION TO THE COMPANY WHICH YOU ARE DESCRIBING - Sportyz Goodz. Ask how does this help sporty goods be more financially stable, effective, efficient. What can we do to make shareholders happier?

Q 26 -
Spoiler
This question requires structure. See how i have used headings (and sub points) to answer this question. This is very important.
You should be careful to stray outside of these 3 areas.
It's okay for you to have different amounts/lengths for the 3 topics. Economic is quite small in my opinion. However covering all 3 is a must for higher marks!

   Economic Influences
Economic Cycle (diagram here would have looked great!)
Inflation (seeking higher real wages)
Talk about how staff require increases in wages to match (or exceed) inflation.
Technological Influences
Increases efficient production
Robotics, CAD and CAM are tools used to make staff more effective and efficient in the workplace
Seeking cost savings
Technology is an investment. HR see technology as AIDS to staff, as well as REPLACEMENTS to staff.
Training
Online training has taken a huge leap. Means that employers save costs, yet have more effective training modules.
Reduced repetitiveness of tasks
Machones now can be programmed to complete the boring, or even dangerous tasks.
E.g. look to any car manufacturer and see how they have used tech to manufacture cars.
Fosters teamwork (and somewhat doesn't also)
Online groups and learning (e.g. Optus use a PHUB (Personal Hub) to connect all staff together. However, in the alternative, it may foster negativity. Sometimes online teams aren't effective!
Reduced staff requirements (reduces morale and lowers productivity)
With technology improvements, we reduce the number of staff required. E.g. Telstra use automated services now rather than real people for thing like bill payments and call transfers. This means cost savings for the business, but may make existing staff scared for their job security. We must combat this by retarining staff from old areas to new ones to keep them happy, productive and employed!
Social Influences
Changing work patterns
Women in workforce (think about changes to accommodate this… and the gender pay gap)
Changed hours of work
Ppl expect later start times to drop kids off to school (what have businesses done to accommodate this)
Longer to cater for our need to be instant (our work hours are now longer. E.g. people work more, do more night shifts etc because of society’s need to be available.
Good example is ANZ Bank (or any bank) and the need to have a phone line open 24/7 for banking issues!
24/7 need to be connected to work
Employers somewhat expect us to be in the frame of mind of work 24/7. With emails on phones accessible outside the office, more and more people are working outside normal hours.
Living standards increased (and the impact on income, education and skills)
Social changes have occurred because of this. We now eat out more. Have different expectations of our employers. We also demand better pay and work conditions. (E.g. Apple’s employment benefits are amazing for retail and corporate staff! This is great! However, what about the factory workers in Foxconn?!)

Q 27 -
Spoiler
For the question regarding globalisation on operations, you have a lot to work with here! I’m assuming most decided on this topic since it was broad!
You should have started off by defining what globalisation is. Its broad, so it’s okay to not match exact definitions. But I define globalisation as the increased interaction of people and businesses around the world due to the growth of technology and social integration.
Good papers talk about the benefits of globalisation. GREAT papers talk about the pros and cons of globalisation. EXCELLENT papers talk about pros, and cons, and how to combat those cons!

Here are some ideas of topics and issues i would have brought up! Some headings i would use (and the info below that) would be something like this:
Product
-Gloablisation has made the number of products available to consumers much wider
-This has meant differentiation strategies must be more diverse to compete with greater market openness.
-Having products which are better quality at a cheaper price is becoming a must in a globalised economy
-Customisation is key! If you customise your product enough to make it unique and hard to imitate, you will be able to create a stronger competitive advantage in the long run in a gloablised market
Location
The availability of manufacturing plant locations is now world wide. What i mean is that you can literally set up shop (and start producing) almost anywhere. This is thanks to technology and shipping advancements, making it easier (and cheaper) than ever before to make something in China (a cheaper manufacturing economy) and ship it to Australia.
Case example: I would use either Apple or Holden. For Apple, they manufacture products in Foxconn, CHina, yet ship all around the world. Without gloablisation, this supply chain would not be able to occur on such an efficient and cost effective manner. For holden, consider the fact they left Australia! No more manufacturing in Aus because they were no longer globally efficient to create cars here. Instead, we see gloablisation has caused us to move from manufacturing to service based industries.
Quality
Globalisation means we compare products from all around the world. Consumers expect higher quality items than ever before, because now they get made in the most economically efficient locations and manner. Consumers expectations grow, and businesses operations must meet these demands.
Global Business
You can now source your suppliers and customers from anywhere in the world! This brings amazing benefits in that you can now get higher quality inputs, at cheaper prices.
Different Currencies
Dealing with global supply chains means you must now protect your business by ensuring currency changes don't impact your profits and costs. We must look at exchange rates more closely, and find ways to ensure suppliers and customers are dealing with businesses in a way that protects them from unexpected increases/decreases in currency exchange rates over time.
Trade Agreements
Gloablisation has caused governments to realise the benefits of trade agreements. This means countries sign international agreements to trade with each other at discounted rates. With reduced taxes, tariffs and quotas, this means businesses are more competitive in more local markets around the world.
Great example here are trade deals australia has with China and NZ. E.g. Closer Economic Relations (CER) and AANZFTA.
Global Consumers
Gloablisation has created the idea of global consumers. That is, consumers expect more from businesses. They expect faster deliveries, higher quality, more features etc. and for it to all cost less. This means we must deploy operations strategies to tackle these issues.

Overall, you could honestly speak about almost anything related to OPERATIONS and GLOBALISATION. I hope you were careful to make sure this didn't creep into other areas. So many great examples here too! The GFC is a great case study here… showing how global stock prices and banking effects from overseas reduced our consumption, which reduced our production and operations in australia.

I also hope you sprinkled cases throughout this essay. So many opportunities above like i already have! Great papers would link these cases to real life changes businesses have made to combat globalisation. E.g. we can see Apple’s and Holden’s effect of gloablisation in both positive and negative ways (respectively).
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Opengangs on October 26, 2017, 12:47:32 pm
Felt like it was easier than the previous years
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: BradMate on October 26, 2017, 12:55:00 pm
Multi choice was very difficult imo, short answer pretty standard, and Busi report + ER were easy (ish)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: ~BK~ on October 26, 2017, 01:09:49 pm
Hey andrew
I went to your trials lecture and thought it was awesome!!! Glad to see you're on here  ;)
I thought the exam was really hard.. especially the mc!! DONE NOW THO!!!

Edit: your book was amazing  ;D ;D helped a lot!!! Thank you  ;D
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: tammy.tran31 on October 26, 2017, 01:10:52 pm
I felt the multiple choice was pretty difficult than most year.
Short Answers were alright....
I found the business report hard because finance is not my strong point and these questions for the extended were weird compared to other years, what are you supposed to write about in an extended about globalisation? So I chose the HR influences.

In my opinion it an OK exam overall!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 01:28:22 pm
Hey andrew
I went to your trials lecture and thought it was awesome!!! Glad to see you're on here  ;)
I thought the exam was really hard.. especially the mc!! DONE NOW THO!!!

Edit: your book was amazing  ;D ;D helped a lot!!! Thank you  ;D

We recruited him to the forums for this special day in Business Studies history ;)
Thanks for sharing your kind words!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: ~BK~ on October 26, 2017, 01:32:13 pm
We recruited him to the forums for this special day in Business Studies history ;)
Thanks for sharing your kind words!
Hahaha, thanks elyse and the rest of AN for your recruitment   ;D
Look forward to his input and suggestions on this special day in history  ;)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Zamura1 on October 26, 2017, 01:47:03 pm
Would NESA accept Bill of Exchange as an answer?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: droodsh on October 26, 2017, 01:47:40 pm
Hey!!

i also thort exam was hard!  :( :( :(
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bun00 on October 26, 2017, 01:52:06 pm
Hey!!

i also thort exam was hard!  :( :( :(


same :( :(
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 01:56:27 pm
Not sure if I was overthinking the questions (like the pasta one...) but the multiple choices were hard. Apart from that the SAs/report/ER were standard stuff.

HSC over  :)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: [MA165] on October 26, 2017, 02:05:17 pm
Not sure if I was overthinking the questions (like the pasta one...) but the multiple choices were hard. Apart from that the SAs/report/ER were standard stuff.

HSC over  :)

uhhhh what pasta one?   :o
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: [MA165] on October 26, 2017, 02:08:26 pm
Would NESA accept Bill of Exchange as an answer?

what about clean payment?  ::)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 02:08:42 pm
Not sure if I was overthinking the questions (like the pasta one...) but the multiple choices were hard. Apart from that the SAs/report/ER were standard stuff.

HSC over  :)

Over? Finished?! Hooray! Congratulations!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 02:09:37 pm
uhhhh what pasta one?   :o

Something about a large manufacturer of pasta buying flour in which type of market. I wasn't sure if "in" meant as a market participant or whether it was referring to the sellers. I chose the former.

Over? Finished?! Hooray! Congratulations!

Thanks!  ;D
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: jacobiscrazy on October 26, 2017, 02:13:44 pm
Wising i spent more time studying Finance but overall it wasn't too bad of an exam. A few curve balls but like meh.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: ayylmaolad on October 26, 2017, 02:15:10 pm
Hey. so in my business report i crossed out like 5 lines but then i realised that what i was saying was correct and drew a little note saying "read this" but only drew a line to the first sentence i crossed out, i heard markers don't read things that are crossed out and im getting scared that they might ignore it, does anyone know about stuff like this ?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 02:15:12 pm
Hey guys, for the essay question where we had to use case studies, I did the second one, but instead of 'roles of operations management', I talked about 'operations strategies'
I discussed performance objectives, supply chain management, outsourcing, technology, quality, and global strategies, and linked them to being cost efficient and having new ideas to differentiate.
Do you think I would get more than a 10/20? :/
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on October 26, 2017, 02:19:20 pm
Hey guys, for the essay question where we had to use case studies, I did the second one, but instead of 'roles of operations management', I talked about 'operations strategies'
I discussed performance objectives, supply chain management, outsourcing, technology, quality, and global strategies, and linked them to being cost efficient and having new ideas to differentiate.
Do you think I would get more than a 10/20? :/

I wrote about those too, they didn't really specify role or strategies so I wouldn't think so but idk for sure
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: [MA165] on October 26, 2017, 02:21:03 pm
Something about a large manufacturer of pasta buying flour in which type of market. I wasn't sure if "in" meant as a market participant or whether it was referring to the sellers. I chose the former.

Oh  :D i remember... think i did resource
Ohwell congrats everyone on finishing!! AND those that have finished ALL of their exams!!  ;)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: ~BK~ on October 26, 2017, 02:21:47 pm
Hey guys, for the essay question where we had to use case studies, I did the second one, but instead of 'roles of operations management', I talked about 'operations strategies'
I discussed performance objectives, supply chain management, outsourcing, technology, quality, and global strategies, and linked them to being cost efficient and having new ideas to differentiate.
Do you think I would get more than a 10/20? :/
tbh, i thought that the essay q on operations was quite narrow so lets hope that you won't get marked down heaps if you branched out a lot (coz i did) ;)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: jacobiscrazy on October 26, 2017, 02:22:01 pm
Hey. so in my business report i crossed out like 5 lines but then i realised that what i was saying was correct and drew a little note saying "read this" but only drew a line to the first sentence i crossed out, i heard markers don't read things that are crossed out and im getting scared that they might ignore it, does anyone know about stuff like this ?
I think if you noted for them to read it, and it is still readable, then the marker would.(could be wrong)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 02:26:49 pm
Hey guys, for the essay question where we had to use case studies, I did the second one, but instead of 'roles of operations management', I talked about 'operations strategies'
I discussed performance objectives, supply chain management, outsourcing, technology, quality, and global strategies, and linked them to being cost efficient and having new ideas to differentiate.
Do you think I would get more than a 10/20? :/

It didn't say role did it? If it did you should be fine, role is too narrow for an extended response.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: [MA165] on October 26, 2017, 02:27:09 pm
Hey guys, for the essay question where we had to use case studies, I did the second one, but instead of 'roles of operations management', I talked about 'operations strategies'
I discussed performance objectives, supply chain management, outsourcing, technology, quality, and global strategies, and linked them to being cost efficient and having new ideas to differentiate.
Do you think I would get more than a 10/20? :/

i spoke about globalisation facilitating the access to globally sourced skills, materials, cheaper labour, economies of scale, mass marketing through advanced telecommunication that was a result of globalisation and some other irrelevant details and somehow pretended it linked to operations management....  i dont even think i answered the question... hopefully they are lenient
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 02:32:10 pm
It didn't say role did it? If it did you should be fine, role is too narrow for an extended response.

I think it mentioned 'operations management'
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 02:33:12 pm
How do you guys think this exam would scale?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: britt.jayne on October 26, 2017, 02:34:45 pm
imo.... it was hard... but... on the positive the extended response and business report were ok to understand... it 's not like they put in any words that didn't make sense or were total floccinaucinihilipilification!!!!   :o
congrats to everyone that finished their HSC todayyyyy!!!!... i still have 2 more!!  ::)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 02:35:19 pm
Was the multiple choice section hard? I thought it was pretty decent to me though. I instead found that the short answer section was the weirdest section and I didn’t like it at all.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 02:36:13 pm
I think it mentioned 'operations management'

Yeah it was like "Analyse the impact of globalisation on operations management" IIRC. This encompasses strategies so you (and I) are fine I think.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 02:39:28 pm
Yeah it was like "Analyse the impact of globalisation on operations management" IIRC. This encompasses strategies so you (and I) are fine I think.
Phew! Thanks:)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: MisterNeo on October 26, 2017, 02:44:26 pm
Idk if this has been asked.

Flour.

Industrial or resource?

I put industrial but many people thought resource.
My understanding is that resource is the natural state of the product as it appears in nature, whereas industrial is when the natural resource gets transformed a bit to be sold to another business for their own transformation process.  :o

If I'm lucky, I may be able to pull off a state rank.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: jacobiscrazy on October 26, 2017, 02:46:34 pm
Idk if this has been asked.

Flour.

Industrial or resource?

I put industrial but many people thought resource.
My understanding is that resource is the natural state of the product as it appears in nature, whereas industrial is when the natural resource gets transformed a bit to be sold to another business for their own transformation process.  :o
Yeah i agree. Put industrial.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: fantasticbeasts3 on October 26, 2017, 02:48:09 pm
some multiple choice were really weird... had a bit of trouble understanding them, thought those were on the same level of difficulty as cssa trials. short answers were okay, except i forgot the different types of non-monetary rewards, whoops. the business report was awesome - i'd studied what was asked just before the exam so yay! the essay is my strongest section out of the entire exam but... a bit unsure about what the operations questions was referring to (i did a ton of strategies and generalised the operations process, really hope that was right) but HR is not my thing so i skipped that.

overall, it was a pretty decent exam! 1 to gooooooooooooooo
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on October 26, 2017, 02:51:47 pm
Multiple choice was definitely the hardest for me.

The report was meh for me, I knew content but linking and justifying wasn't all that great. Essay is what I'm most confident in and short answers were decent.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Aayamstha7 on October 26, 2017, 02:53:10 pm
Hey all! My name is Andrew and I am the Business Studies lecturer and author of the notes.

Firstly... CONGRATS ON FINISHING THIS EXAM!!! Trust me when I say this... you've probably done better than what you expect!

This thread is here for you to share your thoughts of the exam. Let it out below!

Im working on the answers now and I'll post them right here when I'm done!

hey man, what time wil the answers be up?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 02:56:22 pm
Is it right for the business report if I did profitability (expense minimisation, cost centres, fixed and variable costs) and global strategies (derivatives, interest rates, exchange rates, methods of international payments)?
I wasn't sure if global strategies were relevant
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 03:01:27 pm
Is it right for the business report if I did profitability (expense minimisation, cost centres, fixed and variable costs) and global strategies (derivatives, interest rates, exchange rates, methods of international payments)?
I wasn't sure if global strategies were relevant

I did profitability and cash flow management, I was about to do global too but since I wasn't really sure about that dot point so I ended up doing cash flow instead but I think it's relevant though because it was about the business trying to expand internationally.  I think the info that they gave weren't really relevant to the questions though, I totally depended on the financial data as their sales and profits were decreasing.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 03:05:52 pm
Multiple Choice and Question 27 have been added to the answers. Flip back to page one of this thread to see them in the spoilers of the original psot!

Unfortunately we had issues with getting section two of the paper. If you can tell us the question for it, we'd appreciate that! :)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 03:06:27 pm
How many pages did you all write for your report and extended response?

I wrote 9.5 for my report and only 4 pages for the extended response :(
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: MisterNeo on October 26, 2017, 03:07:13 pm
For the 2 financial strategies, I did distribution of payment and sale-and-lease-back.
i just went on about how distribution of payments can involve paying suppliers and insurance companies earlier, which improves relatonships and can offer discounts for early payment. Then went on about how this increases profit because COGS and Expenses are lower, which can generate greater return for shareholders in the form of larger dividends. This can promote further investment from existing shareholders, which generates more funds that can be invested into operations and marketing to improve the competitive positioning of the product.

For sale-and-lease-back, I just said that it reduces maintenance costs and makes the profit bigger. then i just repeated the same argument as distribution of payments. the ability to upgrade models of the asset allows for better product quality, thus increases the positioning of the product and the customers' willingness to pay more. The higher working capital obtained from the sale improves the credibility of the business on the balance sheet, which attracts investors to give equity, which then can be invested into operations and marketing.

And in both, I related it back to my first body paragraph about the stratgic role of finance in allocating resources, etc.
It's a lot of crap but it may work. I wrote 10 pages for Section 3, and 6-8 pages for the Case Study.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 03:08:22 pm
Hey all! My name is Andrew and I am the Business Studies lecturer and author of the notes.
for the last question on mcqs section i put D
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 03:11:20 pm
Hey all! My name is Andrew and I am the Business Studies lecturer and author of the notes.

for the last question on mcqs section i put D
I put down D as well!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on October 26, 2017, 03:12:28 pm
Multiple Choice and Question 27 have been added to the answers. Flip back to page one of this thread to see them in the spoilers of the original psot!

Unfortunately we had issues with getting section two of the paper. If you can tell us the question for it, we'd appreciate that! :)

We were given an example of a bank.  First part was the role of operations management and there was another part asking how operations processes contribute to customer service.  There was another one about why ethics were important for a preschool children toy business.  And how consumer law affects marketing?  Hr was describe one monetary reward during recruitment, and then describe one non monetary reward in recruitment.  Another one was what is an issue that can occur in acquisition?  Finance had a computer business importing computers from china.  First was the impact of a rise in the Australian dollar on the importer and the second part was justify which international payment  method held the least risk?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 03:13:02 pm
For the strategic role of finance, is maximising profits correct?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on October 26, 2017, 03:15:22 pm
For the strategic role of finance, is maximising profits correct?

Pretty sure that's one of them? Personally I talked about efficiency and expense minimisation to maximise profitability
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: kingjimmer on October 26, 2017, 03:17:48 pm
Hey guys, anyone got a copy of the paper they can attach so we can see what multi answers correlate to what question.

Thanks, James
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: MisterNeo on October 26, 2017, 03:17:57 pm
For the strategic role of finance, is maximising profits correct?
I talked about how strategic financial management was about the effective allocation of resources within the business, and the financial reporting and interpreting of financial data to identify weaknesses within the financial health of the business.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Mathew587 on October 26, 2017, 03:21:37 pm
Multiple Choice and Question 27 have been added to the answers. Flip back to page one of this thread to see them in the spoilers of the original psot!

Unfortunately we had issues with getting section two of the paper. If you can tell us the question for it, we'd appreciate that! :)

hey elyse. is there any way that you could ask him to put down the actual answer and not the letter? i dont exactly remember the letters and pretty sure some other dont as well XD
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 03:23:21 pm
hey elyse. is there any way that you could ask him to put down the actual answer and not the letter? i dont exactly remember the letters and pretty sure some other dont as well XD

Do you mean for multiple choice? :) I've got a copy of the paper so I'll go and fill that out if that's what you mean! :)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 03:25:15 pm
Andrew has uploaded question 26 as well! Head back to page on to check it out.

Andrew has been doing the paper from a Uni class (bless him) so that's why you're all hearing from me! I'm about to go back through the multiple choice and write the answers instead of the letters, so check back soon for that! :) (I'm reading your comments - thanks for the feedback all! Taking it on board so getting it sorted now :))
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: kingjimmer on October 26, 2017, 03:25:53 pm
Do you mean for multiple choice? :) I've got a copy of the paper so I'll go and fill that out if that's what you mean! :)

Yep that exactly, just pls so we know what we answered hahah
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Mathew587 on October 26, 2017, 03:26:22 pm
Do you mean for multiple choice? :) I've got a copy of the paper so I'll go and fill that out if that's what you mean! :)
yeah. oh ok ty :)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: laylamxx on October 26, 2017, 03:28:15 pm
where can we view the actual paper cause it is hard to remember what questions were asked for multiple choice
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Zamura1 on October 26, 2017, 03:28:31 pm
Pretty sure question 20 is D
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 03:31:35 pm
where can we view the actual paper cause it is hard to remember what questions were asked for multiple choice


NESA maintains a copyright claim to the paper so it won't be available until they upload it over the next few days. Check back in a few minutes to the original post, because I'm going to edit in the answers.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: amberberrie on October 26, 2017, 03:34:14 pm
ability to pay debts as they fall due - liquidity or solvency??
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: asahyoun3 on October 26, 2017, 03:34:43 pm
ability to pay debts as they fall due - liquidity or solvency??
Liquidity
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 03:36:13 pm
The multiple choice now have the correct answers written next to them and not just the letter. Andrew is working on the report now and then will be joining us here to answer questions.

He has commented that multiple choice was supppppper difficult, but the essays were comparatively friendly! :)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Zamura1 on October 26, 2017, 03:38:43 pm
Hmm i put liquidity instead of solvency - The "as they fall due" makes it sound like short term but I'm probably wrong :(
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on October 26, 2017, 03:43:48 pm
Hmm i put liquidity instead of solvency - The "as they fall due" makes it sound like short term but I'm probably wrong :(

I did liquidity too for that one
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: austv99 on October 26, 2017, 03:46:14 pm
I think it should be industrial, not resource, since flour is used to help with production of other products.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: smithlewis on October 26, 2017, 03:50:00 pm
Was question 17 asking about the expense ratio? Because I think the answer was the difference between gross profit ratio and net profit ratio
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 03:51:14 pm
Hey could you send the copy of the paper to me as well?

Thanks


Hey! I'm sorry I won't be able to do that given that NESA would like us to wait until the papers are on their site! But if you have any burning questions about which questions where which, I can check them out for you. But if you're here for the MC, flip back to page one and see that I've updated the answers so they have the correct answer and not just the letter written next to them :)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on October 26, 2017, 03:51:53 pm
Was question 17 asking about the expense ratio? Because I think the answer was the difference between gross profit ratio and net profit ratio

Yeah question 17 is that question.  I got the same I made up some numbers and worked it out and it came out the difference between the two so I'm guessing it's right
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 26, 2017, 03:52:41 pm
Was question 17 asking about the expense ratio? Because I think the answer was the difference between gross profit ratio and net profit ratio

Question 17:
The expense ratio (total expenses divided by sales) is always...

So you could be right? What did everyone else think for this one?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: kingjimmer on October 26, 2017, 03:53:33 pm
Yeah question 17 is that question.  I got the same I made up some numbers and worked it out and it came out the difference between the two so I'm guessing it's right

i concur
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 04:00:35 pm
Question 17:
The expense ratio (total expenses divided by sales) is always...

So you could be right? What did everyone else think for this one?

I said it was the difference between the net profit ratio and the gross profit ratio, since net profit = gross profit - expenses, so if you subtracted them both, you'd be left with expenses divided by sales.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 04:03:12 pm
I thought the multiple choice was pretty good. Was surprised there wasn't a balance sheet or cash flow statement for the short answer. For the essay question, I chose the second one and looked at operations strategies closely since the question was really broad, referring only to "operations management" and then I also crept into other operations areas like the process (inputs, transformation, outputs) and performance objectives.

How did everyone approach the second essay question?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 04:04:39 pm
Liquidity

Yeah I put liquidity too, but damn it if the answer's actually solvency.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: johnson28 on October 26, 2017, 04:05:26 pm
I can't remember the scenario so might be wrong, but for q3, i put C (opportunity to overcome a threat). Wasn't the scenario that the business extended their working hours (taking advantage of an opportunity rather than strength they possessed) to overcome the threat of increasing competition?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 04:05:50 pm
I think it should be industrial, not resource, since flour is used to help with production of other products.

Yeah I put industrial because I associated the resource market with raw materials like wheat and coal. And flour's a processed product.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: aattard on October 26, 2017, 04:06:14 pm
I think it should be industrial, not resource, since flour is used to help with production of other products.

I agree. Reconsidering this question I’m thinking it’s industrial. Sorry for the confusion, I was rushing which is a big no no in any exam! Learn from my mistakes. Haha.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 04:06:52 pm
I thought the multiple choice was pretty good. Was surprised there wasn't a balance sheet or cash flow statement for the short answer. For the essay question, I chose the second one and looked at operations strategies closely since the question was really broad, referring only to "operations management" and then I also crept into other operations areas like the process (inputs, transformation, outputs) and performance objectives.

How did everyone approach the second essay question?

Sameee I thought the multiple choice was pretty decent and I didn't really have enough time to write the response so I ended up writing only 2 paragraphs/4 pages about supply chain management - global sourcing and outsourcing, link them with competitive advantage, touched a bit on performance objectives and mainly how those can lead the business to achieve the roles of cost leadership and product differentiation.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 04:07:10 pm
I can't remember the scenario so might be wrong, but for q3, i put C (opportunity to overcome a threat). Wasn't the scenario that the business extended their working hours (taking advantage of an opportunity rather than strength they possessed) to overcome the threat of increasing competition?

Ahh, by extending their working hours, the business creates a strength for itself as it has a competitive advantage over other businesses. And because of creating this strength, it is able to overcome the threat of a new business opening up (I believe that was the scenario in the question? I don't remember it too clearly)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: aattard on October 26, 2017, 04:07:40 pm
I thought the multiple choice was pretty good. Was surprised there wasn't a balance sheet or cash flow statement for the short answer. For the essay question, I chose the second one and looked at operations strategies closely since the question was really broad, referring only to "operations management" and then I also crept into other operations areas like the process (inputs, transformation, outputs) and performance objectives.

How did everyone approach the second essay question?

Couldn’t agree more. For a brief summary of what I would discuss see page one. Other ideas are totally encouraged though! Thanks.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 04:09:00 pm
Sameee I thought the multiple choice was pretty decent and I didn't really have enough time to write the response so I ended up writing only 2 paragraphs/4 pages about supply chain management - global sourcing and outsourcing, link them competitive advantage, touched a bit on performance objectives and mainly how those can lead the business to achieve the roles of cost leadership and product differentiation.

OMG I kinda wrote something similar to you!!! My main paragraphs were about outsourcing and global sourcing haha (: Short answer was such a killer! I felt like every time I flipped the page, new questions kept popping up!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 04:10:22 pm
Question 17:
The expense ratio (total expenses divided by sales) is always...

So you could be right? What did everyone else think for this one?

Let's try:

Sales: $10000
GP: $5000
COGS: $5000
NP: $3000
Non-COGS expenses: $2000

In this situation,

GPR = 5000/10000 = 0.5:1
NPR = 3000/10000 = 0.3:1
ER = 7000/10000 = 0.7:1

As I understand it expenses means COGS+other expenses (it did say total expenses/sales) so I put D (always higher than net profit). I also used an example with NP = 1 to confirm this. If expenses doesn't include COGS then B is correct.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 04:10:23 pm
Couldn’t agree more. For a brief summary of what I would discuss see page one. Other ideas are totally encouraged though! Thanks.

Just read it before and honestly, your points are so interesting haha! Talking about the GFC and the impacts of the global economy upon operations would've been such a good idea and concept to talk about in the essay
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 04:11:15 pm
OMG I kinda wrote something similar to you!!! My main paragraphs were about outsourcing and global sourcing haha (: Short answer was such a killer! I felt like every time I flipped the page, new questions kept popping up!

YAYYYY!! I hated section 2 so much omg like really ughh
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 04:12:51 pm
Ahh, by extending their working hours, the business creates a strength for itself as it has a competitive advantage over other businesses. And because of creating this strength, it is able to overcome the threat of a new business opening up (I believe that was the scenario in the question? I don't remember it too clearly)

Agreed, it's an internal choice not some external opportunity. So strength/threat.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: aattard on October 26, 2017, 04:13:51 pm
Yeah I put liquidity too, but damn it if the answer's actually solvency.

This was a tricky question no doubt. I’m open to more ideas.
Liquidity is pay bills in short term.
Solvency is pay bills in short and long term.

But since they used the words “all its debts as they fall due” I was thinking more solvency since all would mean long and short term. Honestly though it’s a tough question. I’m not surprised to see confusion. Any other ideas or viewpoints on this one guys?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: aattard on October 26, 2017, 04:15:52 pm
Let's try:

Sales: $10000
GP: $5000
COGS: $5000
NP: $3000
Non-COGS expenses: $2000

In this situation,

GPR = 5000/10000 = 0.5:1
NPR = 3000/10000 = 0.3:1
ER = 7000/10000 = 0.7:1

As I understand it expenses means COGS+other expenses (it did say total expenses/sales) so I put D (always higher than net profit). I also used an example with NP = 1 to confirm this. If expenses doesn't include COGS then B is correct.


Loving this answer. Well done. I think you got this!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 04:17:37 pm
I got Solvency for that one too because all ITS debts which can include both short and long term debts. Anyway, can you please tell me the answer to the question that was talking about the responsibility of [employees, employers, union, society].... in flexibility, expansion something?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 04:19:29 pm
I got Solvency for that one too because all ITS debts which can include both short and long term debts. Anyway, can you please tell me the answer to the question that was talking about the responsibility of [employees, employers, union, society].... in flexibility, expansion something?

I agree with solvency, long term debts can "fall due" just like short term debts. The answer to that was employers.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Juliesokha on October 26, 2017, 04:21:16 pm
I agree with solvency, long term debts can "fall due" just like short term debts. The answer to that was employers.

thank god omg thank youuu
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 04:52:03 pm
Let's try:

Sales: $10000
GP: $5000
COGS: $5000
NP: $3000
Non-COGS expenses: $2000

In this situation,

GPR = 5000/10000 = 0.5:1
NPR = 3000/10000 = 0.3:1
ER = 7000/10000 = 0.7:1

As I understand it expenses means COGS+other expenses (it did say total expenses/sales) so I put D (always higher than net profit). I also used an example with NP = 1 to confirm this. If expenses doesn't include COGS then B is correct.

Hi, I am new here!  ;D
I got A for this question because COGS is not part of expenses in the expense ratio calculation despite saying total expenses- here the total is to cover the different types of expenses like operating expenses.(I'm almost 100% sure), so using your exmaple:
Sales: 10,000
COGS: 5,000
Gross Profit: 5,000
Expenses: 2,000
Net profit: 3,000

Thus, GPR= 50%
NPR=30%
Expense ratio= 20%
So it is evident that the expense ratio is always... A) the difference between the net profit ratio and the gross profit ratio

Another way to think about this is NPR= np/sales = gp-expeness/sales = gp/sales - expenses/sales = GPR - Expense ratio

Any different opinions?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: lakwas7 on October 26, 2017, 04:56:04 pm
Not sure if this has been asked or not, but did anyone else put 15) b) (industry averages). I feel as if comparative ratio analysis doesn't necessarily reflect the efficiency/profitability/liquidity/solvency nearly as well as industry averages (e.g. ratios may be low but if its better than industry average, would it still not be good?)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 04:59:35 pm
Not sure if this has been asked or not, but did anyone else put 15) b) (industry averages). I feel as if comparative ratio analysis doesn't necessarily reflect the efficiency/profitability/liquidity/solvency nearly as well as industry averages (e.g. ratios may be low but if its better than industry average, would it still not be good?)

Yes I also put industry average because the information provided could not allow the guy/girl to calculate any ratios let alone compare them. Also, both businesses were in the same industry meaning industry average would say a lot. But who knows
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: james campbell on October 26, 2017, 05:01:03 pm
Hey mate,

Can you explain why it is solvency? - The question said as they fall due did it not? ..... I thought it would be liquidity (lower than 12 months)

For example joe bloggs may be solvent for his NON- current liabilities but he may not have adequate cash flow to pay his short term debt?

Any explanation would be appreciated

cheers
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: John316 on October 26, 2017, 05:02:07 pm
I used Cash flow management for my report instead of global financial :( will I lose marks for this??? ;___;
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 05:03:52 pm
Hi, I am new here!  ;D
I got A for this question because COGS is not part of expenses in the expense ratio calculation despite saying total expenses- here the total is to cover the different types of expenses like operating expenses.(I'm almost 100% sure), so using your exmaple:
Sales: 10,000
COGS: 5,000
Gross Profit: 5,000
Expenses: 2,000
Net profit: 3,000

Thus, GPR= 50%
NPR=30%
Expense ratio= 20%
So it is evident that the expense ratio is always... A) the difference between the net profit ratio and the gross profit ratio

Another way to think about this is NPR= np/sales = gp-expeness/sales = gp/sales - expenses/sales = GPR - Expense ratio

Any different opinions?

I picked A too :)
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on October 26, 2017, 05:05:01 pm
I used Cash flow management for my report instead of global financial :( will I lose marks for this??? ;___;

I did cash flow management as well, it should be fine, they didn't say global or specify any
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 05:08:33 pm
I used Cash flow management for my report instead of global financial :( will I lose marks for this??? ;___;
you never really "loose marks." As long as you justify whatever you choose to recommend, you will be fine. I think the important part is backing up your recommendation, unless the thing you say is completely irrelevant (which is definitely not in your case :))
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Opengangs on October 26, 2017, 05:09:57 pm
Not sure if this has been asked or not, but did anyone else put 15) b) (industry averages). I feel as if comparative ratio analysis doesn't necessarily reflect the efficiency/profitability/liquidity/solvency nearly as well as industry averages (e.g. ratios may be low but if its better than industry average, would it still not be good?)
I felt as though just the sales and assets isn't enough to compare with the industry average. For instance, you might make $1 000 000 in sales, but how much profit are you really making? It's hard to make a link between profitability and sales, as a business may be increasing in sales, while making 0 profit. That's why I thought industry average was not enough.

I get what you mean though, because comparative ratio didn't feel correct as well. But comparative ratio analysis covers industry averages as one of the methods of comparing businesses.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Inhumanities on October 26, 2017, 05:13:07 pm
For the second part of the business report, (strategies to improve financial performance)
It didnt specify financial strategies so I did marketing strategies at the time since I saw a lot more links in the case study. I linked it to financial performance through the strategic role of marketing to translate the business goal of profit maximisation into reality, utilizing marketing strategies as a way to increase profitiability. Upon leaving the exam I realised how much of an idiot I was. Anyone know how much marks I should expect to lose? Anyone else do the same thing? Did I think way too much outside the box?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Evil.Morty on October 26, 2017, 05:17:31 pm
I thought the report was fairly reasonable but I only wrote around 4 pages for my essay, will I drop marks or should i be able to get a score of around above a 14? I integrated alot about how HR managers utilize strategies to overcome such external influences along with the ramifications of the influences on the hr processes so I said periods of economic downturn with low consumer confidence and spending will force a business to increase the number of workers made redundant and how it responds to this through a shift to a more directive.autocratic leadership style, and for technology I said how it requires training and development and also linked it back to separation in that technology can substitute human labour, and for social i tied it in with rewards and maintenance to maintain staff wellbeing with stuff llike flexible working arrangements, etc.

Is that okay to get me above a 13-14 even though I only wrote 4 pages?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 05:18:43 pm
Hi, I am new here!  ;D
I got A for this question because COGS is not part of expenses in the expense ratio calculation despite saying total expenses- here the total is to cover the different types of expenses like operating expenses.(I'm almost 100% sure), so using your exmaple:
Sales: 10,000
COGS: 5,000
Gross Profit: 5,000
Expenses: 2,000
Net profit: 3,000

Thus, GPR= 50%
NPR=30%
Expense ratio= 20%
So it is evident that the expense ratio is always... A) the difference between the net profit ratio and the gross profit ratio

Another way to think about this is NPR= np/sales = gp-expeness/sales = gp/sales - expenses/sales = GPR - Expense ratio

Any different opinions?

From the Business Studies in Action textbook:

The expense ratio compares total expenses with sales. The ratio indicates the amount of sales that are allocated to individual expenses, such as selling, administration, COGS and financial expenses.

Of course it's entirely possible that NESA disagrees with this. It happened last year with the sociocultural/economic question. But why else would they label it "total expenses"? What else, apart from regular expenses, is included in "total expenses"?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: khadeeja_ on October 26, 2017, 05:20:53 pm
i may be wrong but for question 7, where the options were economic, pyschological, sociocultural and government, would it not be pyschological factors influencing the individuals choice, because under pyschological there's a point called learning which describes the changes in an individual behaviour because of an experience, through: friend's perception of the product
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 05:22:09 pm
From the Business Studies in Action textbook:

The expense ratio compares total expenses with sales. The ratio indicates the amount of sales that are allocated to individual expenses, such as selling, administration, COGS and financial expenses.

Of course it's entirely possible that NESA disagrees with this. It happened last year with the sociocultural/economic question. But why else would they label it "total expenses"? What else, apart from regular expenses, is included in "total expenses"?

Fair enough, I didn't see that in the textbook! But, I have a feeling it might have been irrelevant. Can u please tell me what option B was so I try to disprove it/ prove it with some more trials

Thanks!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 05:24:17 pm
Fair enough, I didn't see that in the textbook! But, I have a feeling it might have been irrelevant. Can u please tell me what option B was so I try to disprove it/ prove it with some more trials

Thanks!

Sorry I thought option B was the difference one as you said. It's either that (A?) or my theory (D). Just depends whether COGS is included or not in expenses.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 05:24:37 pm
i may be wrong but for question 7, where the options were economic, pyschological, sociocultural and government, would it not be pyschological factors influencing the individuals choice, because under pyschological there's a point called learning which describes the changes in an individual behaviour because of an experience, through: friend's perception of the product

Fair point!
But the question specifically asked for the influence on the guy not his friend. In the textbook it mentions 'peer or reference groups' as a sociocultural influence influencing consumer choice. Hence, it is socioclultural
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 05:26:42 pm
Sorry I thought option B was the difference one as you said. It's either that (A?) or my theory (D). Just depends whether COGS is included or not in expenses.

Oh sorry I thought you meant B was your answer. So what was D then? Sorry I didn't really spend too long on this question because I thought I got it straight away lol but turns out it's more complicated maybe?!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: MisterNeo on October 26, 2017, 05:33:26 pm
What was this liquidity question? I forgot which question that was
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: [MA165] on October 26, 2017, 05:43:14 pm
What was this liquidity question? I forgot which question that was

the MC q about paying debts as they come in
options were liquidity, solvency, growth or efficiency.... iirc
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: _____ on October 26, 2017, 05:50:58 pm
Oh sorry I thought you meant B was your answer. So what was D then? Sorry I didn't really spend too long on this question because I thought I got it straight away lol but turns out it's more complicated maybe?!

D > expenses ratio is always higher than net profit ratio. I showed an example a few posts back but I'm not 100% on it.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: biancafischer99 on October 26, 2017, 06:06:24 pm
The overall exam i thought was decent (could be wrong though, probably failed). Thought that the finace report would be hard as im not good with that topic but i found that easier than the short answers. 
Finance multiple choice was something i wasnt prepared for.   
Lucky I went back through the multiple choice! - could have got so many more wrong!
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: jasminesadiqi on October 26, 2017, 06:10:22 pm
for the business report i did cash flow management and working capital management.. so is this wrong?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Evil.Morty on October 26, 2017, 06:13:57 pm
for the business report i did cash flow management and working capital management.. so is this wrong?
[/quote

There is really no wrong answers in the report as long as you justify your response and how it will help improve financial performance you will be fine
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: calistak17 on October 26, 2017, 06:16:48 pm
Hi guys im new here  :)

-For the finance short answer about methods of payment and reducing risk for the business i said that it would be payment in advance as "it ensures payment for the business from Australian consumers and hence reduces financial risk" Is this right or was it supposed to be the clean payments route? or are they both valid because the question wasn't that specific?

- For the operations short answer about assessing strategies for the bank i did quality management and said that quality assurance would be used by setting standards about customer service quality and ensuring that they are met, is that valid to say?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Microsoft Word on October 26, 2017, 06:21:22 pm
Does anyone know specifically what the industrial resource m/c question was?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Arib on October 26, 2017, 06:24:44 pm
Q20 for multiple choice is definitely D.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Evil.Morty on October 26, 2017, 06:25:10 pm
Hi guys im new here  :)

-For the finance short answer about methods of payment and reducing risk for the business i said that it would be payment in advance as "it ensures payment for the business and hence reduces financial risk" Is this right or was it supposed to be the clean payments route? or are they both valid because the question wasn't that specific?

- For the operations short answer about assessing strategies for the bank i did quality management and said that quality assurance would be used by setting standards about customer service quality and ensuring that they are met, is that valid to say?


Im not sure if payment in advance would be the right answer as  the business imports it's products from China so this method would offer high risk to the business but a low risk to the exporter, I think clean payment would be the most correct answer for the question as it reduces any form of financial risk in that the business wont send the payment of the computers until it receives the goods.

And for your operations short answer quality management would be a correct answer but it all comes down to how well you justified your response and structured it to the question 
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Zamura1 on October 26, 2017, 06:47:59 pm
Does anyone know specifically what the industrial resource m/c question was?

Something about a large bread company buying flour for its bread is it operating in an industrial or resource market.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: jasminesadiqi on October 26, 2017, 06:56:19 pm
i chose the essay for HR, but i didnt study much about 'social' so literally all i could think of was how people can work at home now from the computers.... but with technology and econonmy i wrote a lot! what mark do you think i will get ?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bernardm on October 26, 2017, 06:59:06 pm
what mark do you think i will get ?

Stitch up?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Aayamstha7 on October 26, 2017, 07:13:42 pm
Band 6 cut off this year?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 07:16:36 pm
Band 6 cut off this year?
I reckon 86 raw
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 07:20:39 pm
D > expenses ratio is always higher than net profit ratio. I showed an example a few posts back but I'm not 100% on it.

Sorry to say but this can't be right, if you look at this example:
Sales: 10,000
COGS: 1,000
Gross Profit: 9,000
Expenses: 1,000
Net profit: 8,000

Expense ratio (your method of including COGS)= 20%
NPR= 80%

so unless D said something else I don't think it can be correct because if you simply have low expenses, your net profit ratio can be higher than your expense ratio
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Opengangs on October 26, 2017, 07:28:59 pm

Im not sure if payment in advance would be the right answer as  the business imports it's products from China so this method would offer high risk to the business but a low risk to the exporter, I think clean payment would be the most correct answer for the question as it reduces any form of financial risk in that the business wont send the payment of the computers until it receives the goods.

And for your operations short answer quality management would be a correct answer but it all comes down to how well you justified your response and structured it to the question 
My guess was letter of credit, as clean payment relies on trusting that the goods are going to be sent when the payment is made.
Letter of credit is a letter issued by the bank to serve as a guarantee that the goods and products are made to the customer.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on October 26, 2017, 07:29:31 pm
I reckon 86 raw

Really? It was a good deal harder than last years, in my opinion and I believe last year's cut-off was lower.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 07:37:38 pm
My guess was letter of credit, as clean payment relies on trusting that the goods are going to be sent when the payment is made.
Letter of credit is a letter issued by the bank to serve as a guarantee that the goods and products are made to the customer.

What about bill of exchange?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Opengangs on October 26, 2017, 07:51:36 pm
What about bill of exchange?
Bill of exchange is a payment instrument that serves as an international trade activity where one party agrees to pay a fixed amount at a predetermined date. My guess for why this is not as strong as letter of credit is that the customer of the business has agreed to pay at a time that was agreed beforehand. So, what happens to delays with the shipping? The customer is still required to hand over the cash at that time, regardless of whether or not the goods has been delivered.

But, as long as you justify why bill of exchange can be used, you should still get those 6 marks.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on October 26, 2017, 07:52:05 pm
I used clean payment. I suppose so long as you don't try and justify one that is extremely dangerous to the importer, you can get marks for what you tried to reason out.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: spetsnaz on October 26, 2017, 07:53:29 pm
I used clean payment. I suppose so long as you don't try and justify one that is extremely dangerous to the importer, you can get marks for what you tried to reason out.
Was just about to say this, clean payment, letter of credit and bill of exchange (if justified correctly) can all be awarded full marks, there isn't only one answer as people are saying which is only clean payment.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 08:04:58 pm
I reckon 86 raw
So does that mean everything below 86 gets scaled down really low? If so, what band?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Mathew587 on October 26, 2017, 08:08:19 pm
I talked about the operation process i.e. inputs, outputs, transformation process (volume, variety, economies of scale, global web/sourcing) for q27(??) rather than influences. Do you guys think it'll will still work? I didn't realise that they were asking for influences rather than processes lol...
Also I talked about (stuffed this up really bad) advertising to improve sales and outsourcing to reduce costs for the strategies of financial management in the report. Do you guys think THIS will work??

fml should have studied way more. it's like the easiest subject I had...
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Ninjajnin on October 26, 2017, 08:22:07 pm
So does that mean everything below 86 gets scaled down really low? If so, what band?
Ok so with scaling, well here are a few pointers from what I understand that hopefuly calrifies it a bit:

First 2 are done by NESA:
SO you get a mark on the exam (raw mark) and this mark determines (not really sure how- maybe the scaling that i will mention soon) but is probably not the "Examination Mark" written on your results
This is commonly thought of as 50% of the hsc mark.
1. The other 50% is your Assessment (internal mark) which is MODERATED based on your rank within your school and by how much those ranks differ (e.g. if number one is 90 and you are 89 and second then you will not be impacted too badly) and is also based on your examination mark.
2. There is another process called ALIGNING which compares cohorts. So if NESA think standards of responses are good, then everyone gets shifted up. This means accelerants will not be dogged if an exam is easier the next year, because getting a 95 in one year is made to be the same as a different year.

The last thing which is the actual SCALING is done by UAC
3. Scaling is done to compare different subjects. UAC looks at all the different subjects a student does that business kids do and sees how they perform in them. So if the students to bad in other subjects, business will scale down because this gives the impression that it is an easier subject. And obviously vise versa, so for 4U maths, students doing it ace everything else but get low mark in that, must mean it is hard, so it scales a crap tone UP. Scaling is done to the raw examination mark (I think).

Don't worry too much about these processes because at the end of the day it is out of contorl. But a higher external raw mark is critical to doing well overall and so is a good internal rank. When I say 86, that is my opinion for guaranteed band 6, but maybe 84? really depends
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: charita.pin on October 26, 2017, 08:31:34 pm
"14. (Industrial - first I thought Resource but you guys make great points. I am now erring on industrial side as most likely)"

For 14 it should be resources because the production of wheat occurs in the resource market. For instance, the creation of cars will be during the industrial stage but the purchasing of the metals will occur in the resource market. If purchasing wheat is regarded as part of the industrial market, what is the resource market for? Despite the fact of the wheat being processed, it is the process of adding value to a specific material which makes it part of an industrial market.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: snowflakes on October 26, 2017, 08:36:09 pm
Ok so with scaling, well here are a few pointers from what I understand that hopefuly calrifies it a bit:

First 2 are done by NESA:
SO you get a mark on the exam (raw mark) and this mark determines (not really sure how- maybe the scaling that i will mention soon) but is probably not the "Examination Mark" written on your results
This is commonly thought of as 50% of the hsc mark.
1. The other 50% is your Assessment (internal mark) which is MODERATED based on your rank within your school and by how much those ranks differ (e.g. if number one is 90 and you are 89 and second then you will not be impacted too badly) and is also based on your examination mark.
2. There is another process called ALIGNING which compares cohorts. So if NESA think standards of responses are good, then everyone gets shifted up. This means accelerants will not be dogged if an exam is easier the next year, because getting a 95 in one year is made to be the same as a different year.

The last thing which is the actual SCALING is done by UAC
3. Scaling is done to compare different subjects. UAC looks at all the different subjects a student does that business kids do and sees how they perform in them. So if the students to bad in other subjects, business will scale down because this gives the impression that it is an easier subject. And obviously vise versa, so for 4U maths, students doing it ace everything else but get low mark in that, must mean it is hard, so it scales a crap tone UP. Scaling is done to the raw examination mark (I think).

Don't worry too much about these processes because at the end of the day it is out of contorl. But a higher external raw mark is critical to doing well overall and so is a good internal rank. When I say 86, that is my opinion for guaranteed band 6, but maybe 84? really depends

Cleared up! Thanks
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Mathew587 on October 26, 2017, 08:36:43 pm
"14. (Industrial - first I thought Resource but you guys make great points. I am now erring on industrial side as most likely)"

For 14 it should be resources because the production of wheat occurs in the resource market. For instance, the creation of cars will be during the industrial stage but the purchasing of the metals will occur in the resource market. If purchasing wheat is regarded as part of the industrial market, what is the resource market for? Despite the fact of the wheat being processed, it is the process of adding value to a specific material which makes it part of an industrial market.
Flour isn't in the resource market. That's wheat. Wheat is used to make flour which is used in the production process of making bread etc.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: bimberfairy on October 26, 2017, 08:43:49 pm
Flour isn't in the resource market. That's wheat. Wheat is used to make flour which is used in the production process of making bread etc.

I agree with this statement. The flour's been processed already from the raw materials used to make it. So it's now in the industrial market. If you go back a few pages, we cleared it up earlier (:
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: marcorabbitolol on October 26, 2017, 10:48:02 pm
My guess was letter of credit, as clean payment relies on trusting that the goods are going to be sent when the payment is made.
Letter of credit is a letter issued by the bank to serve as a guarantee that the goods and products are made to the customer.

yesss i completely guessed this one- but i said credit note- is it the same thing as letter of credit?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on October 27, 2017, 12:05:21 am
Question, if I accidentally specified a bill of exchange and actually described a letter of credit and how it reduces risk for the business, will I still get at least half the marks, possibly more, for the question?  I initially had letter of credit and then drew a line through it thinking it was bill of exchange...
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: Hangm3 on October 27, 2017, 08:08:48 am
Question, if I accidentally specified a bill of exchange and actually described a letter of credit and how it reduces risk for the business, will I still get at least half the marks, possibly more, for the question?  I initially had letter of credit and then drew a line through it thinking it was bill of exchange...
Yeh I did the same. Hoping for 3/5 since the understanding of the question is still there.
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: nedrich23 on October 27, 2017, 02:48:35 pm
Am I stuffed if I did payment in advance for the international payment question?  :'(
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: johnsmith2424 on October 27, 2017, 05:37:58 pm
are the answers coming out for the section 2... the short answer?
Title: Re: Business Studies HSC Exam 2017
Post by: babooboo on October 27, 2017, 11:08:35 pm
From the business studies in action textbook:

Resource market
The resource market consists of those individuals or groups that are engaged in all forms of primary production, including mining, agriculture, forestry and fishing. As a group, this market in Australia is made up of approximately 116 000 enterprises or customers and has a large purchasing power. Farmers, for example, purchase machinery, seed and fertiliser.

Industrial market
In Australia, there are more than 932 000 businesses in the industrial market; these businesses are either secondary or tertiary. An industrial market includes industries and businesses that purchase products to use in the production of other products or in their daily operations. Tip Top Bakery, for example, buys flour to make bread, and Sony buys plastics and metals to produce televisions.

Anyway, I do hope the answer is industrial. :P