Types of Exam Question

ICSA exams all include short and long-answer sections with some variations in the format and types of questions you can be asked. Check in the section for the programme you’re studying to see what questions will appear on your papers.

Also, most of the ICSA programmes include a mix of business, finance and law subjects, and there can be different styles of question for these different disciplines. The notes below provide suggestions for answering different types of question, and also check the Suggested Answers and Examiner’s Comments for examples.

Short-answer Questions

Breadth of syllabus

This part of the paper is designed to test your knowledge of many different topics  and requires knowledge of the whole syllabus.

Question requirements

The command words will usually be ‘state’, ‘list’, ‘describe’ or ‘define’. You will often be asked to give a specific number of items, usually at one mark each e.g. “State four reasons why…”

Style of answer

As a general principle, try to answer the question in full sentences rather than single words. However, you can use bullet points and lists to help clarify your answer.  

Time management

Many students spend too much time writing long answers in this section, leaving too little time to provide more detailed analysis later in the exam; so keep an eye on the time and ensure that you keep your answers to a reasonable length as these questions have low mark allocation.

Calculation Questions

Calculators

You’re permitted to use your own calculator in the exam but must enter its make and model number on your answer booklet.

The calculator can have functions but must not:

• be programmable, i.e. it musn’t have software which can complete calculations for you.
• have bluetooth or mobile technology to communicate outside the exam hall.

‘Process’ marks

Even if the final answer you have calculated is wrong, the Examiner can still give you marks for the correct ‘process’, i.e for attempting the calculation in the correct way. So be sure to show the workings of your calculation in your answer.

Law Questions

When you answer questions on law papers, you’re expected to cite case law, where appropriate, to support your answers. The study texts and Suggested Answers demonstrate when it’s appropriate to refer to a case.

Answering in Specific Formats

Look out for instructions to answer the question in a specific format, such as a letter, report, Memorandum or press release. There are usually marks available for writing in an appropriate format. Think about the stylistic features of such documents and use them in your answer – for example, headings and sub-headings for a report. The scenario will usually specify a particular reader (or readers) for your document so consider your reader and write in an appropriate style.

Pre-released Case Study

Section B of the Certificate and Diploma in Business Practice exams is based on a pre-seen case study. This is posted on this site six weeks before the exam week. Make a note in your calendar to download this as early as you can.

Preparation

• Read through the case study several times and try to identify the key areas of the syllabus it refers to.
• Isolate issues raised in the case study and think about potential solutions.
• Read about the industry in which the case study is set.

In the exam

The case study will be reproduced in the exam paper.

Refer to the case study in your answers and demonstrate that you can apply the knowledge you’ve gained to specific situations.

Scenario Questions

Some questions set up a scenario as part of the introduction, and you will need to answer with reference to this scenario. Remember that we do not intentionally include irrelevant information in the questions, so the details in the scenario should be relevant to your answer.