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Unlock This CourseGetting feedback on your exam performance is brilliant - but only if you know how to use it properly! Many students get their marked papers back and just look at the grade, missing out on valuable learning opportunities. This session will teach you how to turn exam feedback into your secret weapon for improving your small business knowledge and exam technique.
Reviewing your performance isn't just about seeing what went wrong - it's about understanding why it went wrong and how to fix it. Small business questions often catch students out because they require you to apply theory to real-world scenarios and this needs practice.
Key Definitions:
Examiner comments aren't there to make you feel bad - they're roadmaps to better performance. Look for patterns in feedback across different questions. If multiple comments mention "lack of business context" or "needs more development", that's your focus area for improvement.
Small business questions trip up many students because they seem straightforward but actually require careful thought and application. Let's look at the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Understanding these common errors will help you spot them in your own work and avoid them in future exams. Each mistake has a simple fix once you know what to look for.
Writing about "businesses in general" instead of focusing on small businesses specifically. Small businesses face unique challenges like limited resources and cash flow problems.
Not using the information given in the question. If the question mentions a corner shop, your answer should reflect the reality of running a corner shop, not a multinational corporation.
Stating facts without explaining their impact. Don't just say "advertising costs money" - explain how this affects a small business differently than a large one.
Sarah runs a small sandwich shop and wants to expand. A student writing about this might say "she should advertise more" (generic). A better answer would be "Sarah should focus on local advertising like leaflets or social media as these are cost-effective for small businesses with limited budgets, unlike expensive TV ads that large companies use."
Simply reading through your marked paper isn't enough. You need a systematic approach to turn feedback into improvement. Here's how to review your work like a pro.
Use this four-step process to get the most from your exam feedback and turn mistakes into learning opportunities.
Spot the mistake - What exactly went wrong?
Think about why - Why did this happen?
Action plan - What will you do differently?
Repeat practice - Try similar questions again
Mark schemes are your best friend for understanding what examiners want. They show you exactly how to structure answers and what content gets marks. Don't just look at the points - understand the level of detail expected.
Mark schemes use specific language that tells you what's needed. Learning to decode this language will dramatically improve your exam performance.
These are for showing you know business terms and concepts. Look for phrases like "correct identification" or "accurate definition" in mark schemes.
These reward using the context given in the question. Mark schemes often say "in context" or "applied to the business situation".
These are for explaining cause and effect or developing points. Look for "because", "therefore", "this leads to" in both mark schemes and your answers.
Once you've identified your weak areas, you need a plan to fix them. Random revision won't work - you need targeted practice on your specific problem areas.
Weakness identified: Not enough business context in answers
Evidence: Lost 3 marks on Q2 for generic response
Action: Practice 5 small business questions focusing on using given information
Success measure: Get full application marks on next practice paper
Different types of mistakes need different practice approaches. Here's how to tackle the most common issues.
For weak knowledge: Create flashcards for key terms
For poor application: Highlight context clues in questions
For weak analysis: Practice using connecting words like "because", "therefore", "however"
For time management: Do timed practice with shorter questions first
Learning to mark your own work using mark schemes is a powerful skill. It helps you understand what examiners want and spot your own mistakes before the real exam.
Self-assessment isn't about being harsh on yourself - it's about being honest and constructive. Use the same criteria that real examiners use.
Check if you've answered the actual question asked, used business terminology correctly and included relevant examples from the context given.
Rewrite weak answers using the mark scheme as a guide. Don't just add more words - add better, more relevant content that directly addresses the question.
Keep a record of your practice scores and the types of mistakes you make. Look for patterns and celebrate when you stop making the same errors.
Jake consistently lost marks for not explaining his points fully. After reviewing his feedback, he started using the phrase "This means that..." to develop his analysis. His marks improved from Level 2 to Level 3 responses within a month of focused practice.
Good exam technique can be the difference between grades. It's not just about knowing the content - it's about showing your knowledge effectively under exam conditions.
These techniques will help you maximise your marks even when you're not 100% sure of the answer. They're based on understanding how exams work and what examiners reward.
Spend time reading questions carefully - many marks are lost through misunderstanding. Use the mark allocation to guide how much to write. A 6-mark question needs more depth than a 2-mark question.