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SBM Notes

The document provides a summary of an Advance Level SBM PiL Tutor Conference. It outlines the agenda which included an overview of the SBM syllabus, changes to focus more on sustainability and technology, exam format and performance in 2023. Examples of good and poor candidate responses were discussed. Tutors answered questions about preparing for exams using practice materials.

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Md. Mostafizur Rahman
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303 views3 pages

SBM Notes

The document provides a summary of an Advance Level SBM PiL Tutor Conference. It outlines the agenda which included an overview of the SBM syllabus, changes to focus more on sustainability and technology, exam format and performance in 2023. Examples of good and poor candidate responses were discussed. Tutors answered questions about preparing for exams using practice materials.

Uploaded by

Md. Mostafizur Rahman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Advance Level SBM PiL Tutor Conference 2024 Summary briefing notes

2 February 2024, ICAEW, London


Phil Ormrod and Katy Pilkington
Agenda
1. Overview of SBM - technical and skills progression from professional level and
review of key topics in the SBM syllabus.

2. Syllabus changes - a summary of syllabus changes relating to the further


integration of sustainability and technology in the qualification.
3. Data analysis - a brief recap of data analysis, including the use of pre-populated
spreadsheets in the SBM examination.

4. Advice for candidates - key areas where candidates showed weaknesses in


recent SBM exams.

5. Candidate performance in SBM in 2023 - Examination of pass rates, qualitative


feedback highlighting areas of strength and the areas where there is a need for
improvement.

6. November N23 SBM exam – review of the questions and candidate weaknesses
in the N23 SBM exam.

Syllabus and Learning Materials Updates


Exam Format and Contents: No changes to the exam for 2024 - remains 3.5 hours and 2
questions
Syllabus changes highlighted: Amendments to the learning outcomes for 2024 were
highlighted, which had a particular focus on sustainability and technology.
Data Analysis: most candidates are performing quite well on data analysis. Emphasis on
data bias and professional scepticism with data were noted. Links between data and ethics
also noted.
Examples of visualisations were given which may appear in questions, but it was noted that
candidates cannot reproduce their own visualisations in the exam.
Spreadsheet functions were discussed, noting the SORT is being added for 2024. Guidance
was given on which spreadsheet functions may be tested quantitatively.
It was indicated that, in future, the number of rows of data in prepopulated spreadsheets will
increase (perhaps up to 72 rows) over the next few years.
Examples of good and poor techniques in analysing pre-populated data were given.
Advice for candidates – examples were given of poor practices that are being used by
candidates.
2023 Candidate Performance
• Pass Rate Analysis: A slight fall in pass rates in 2023 from 2022 was noted, but still
a good performance overall.
• Average marks – it was noted that average marks were fairly consistent across
questions.
Review of November 2023 sitting
Question 1 - Plaze
Plaze plc is a listed company that makes glass bottles. The company has two autonomous
operating divisions, based in London and Berlin. Expansion in the US is to take place. A pre-
populated spreadsheet was included.
There was a discussion about how students should approach the prepopulated spreadsheet.
Candidates performed reasonably well on this question – although weaker candidates
sometimes struggled with the calculations. This included:

• Omissions in data analysis


• Weaknesses of financial reporting treatment of financial asset at FVTOCI on disposal
• Weaknesses of financial reporting treatment of sale and leaseback
• Unbalanced ethical discussion
It was noted that the question followed the normal SBM style of a business and/or finance
issue(s) where there are problems to solve in an industry context. Financial reporting issues
arise from the business and financing issues.

Question 2 – Orzil

Orzil is a private equity firm which has identified a target acquisition, H4H, which operates a
chain of hairdressing salons.
H4H has prepared two pieces of analysis: H4H’s website data; a customer survey.
H4H has a pension deficit which will impact the acquisition price.
Candidates performed reasonably well on this question – although weaker candidates
sometimes struggled with the calculations. Weaknesses included:

• Quantitative analysis of the website data and customer survey were often thin or poor
• Lack of understanding of the pension deficit and related due diligence
• Weaknesses of financial reporting treatment of the sale and closure of shops
• Risks relating to the pension fund deficit were often narrowly defined in audit or financial
reporting terms

Tutor questions and answers

Question Answer
Short history of pre-populated spreadsheet More exam standard questions are being made available as
questions, students keen for more – should more real exams are released.
questions on website prepare students Practice questions are available on the ICAEW website in
sufficiently for exams?
addition to the QB.

Do/will QB questions have s/s? Struggled This is being raised with ICAEW to see if spreadsheets can be
when timing practice exams as they spent made available (Excel or SpreadQS) with pre-populated data
time inputting data into s/s. for candidates to practice
Students feel frustrated that examiners can Candidates can copy the functions where they believe if t is
not see spreadsheet/frustration having to important.
add answers into word processing area. Is Candidates can copy spreadsheets, but marks are awarded
there any investigation into markers being
for the table of summary data asked for in the requirement.
able to see spreadsheets?
Marks are awarded in small pools so one error in preparing a
function should not lead to the loss of a large number of
marks. Marks may also be awarded for structure and method.
Can mocks cover all 4 past (2023) exams? The 2023 real exams are being spread between the QB and
Rather than just the two. the mocks, so candidates have access to them across the
range of the preparation period.
Students find it hard to cope with density of It is difficult to access which students may have struggled with
information within questions – do some the information. However, there is no widespread evidence to
students find it harder to process the info indicate shortage of time for most students.
with SBM? Is there a breakdown of
Exhibits attempt reflect a summarised version of information
pass/fails that may show this? Potentially
limit info in exhibits? that would be available in the real world, but every effort is
made to limit the detail to what is necessary.

How have pre pop s/s’s evolved? Do you Prepopulated spreadsheet were introduced to replicate
see the pre-pop spreadsheets to be the workplace tasks and skills in analysing data. They have
granular data? evolved since then with the introduction of more spreadsheet
functions as tools to analyse data in a better or more efficient
manner. Only the SORT function has been newly introduced
for 2024.

The data in the prepopulated spreadsheet is limited, but the


data is more granular than was possible before introducing the
pre-populated spreadsheets. More rows of data will be
included in future exams.

When they don’t have a specific mark per The relative emphasis on each requirement is a question of
requirement – is there wording included in judgement and is part of the skills being tested.
the question so they know what part of the
question to focus on?
Indicators of lower emphasis might include “briefly”

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