Health Service Governance Session 11: Exam revision strategy Mandy Garnham – Tuesday 5 May 11am My microphone is currently muted
Record session 2
Health Service Governance Session 11: Exam revision strategy Mandy Garnham – Tuesday 5 May 11am
Agenda Here are the areas we will cover today: • Revision and exam format • Approaches to different exam questions • Characteristics of good exam responses • Common exam errors • Revision techniques • Exam practicalities (to be delivered in the next session) 4
Revising for the exam Topics and chapters of the study text – A revision planner would You can listen back to Look back at your reviewing webinars and assignments – strengths be useful to cover the webinars right up to the content –use the ‘test weeks before the exam exam and weaknesses yourself’ questions in the study text November exam: you Planning answers and Mock exam using past need to plan your study practising questions papers and revision over the following 6 months 5
Exam format for Health Service Governance • 100 marks available across 2 sections. • The exam assesses all the parts of the study text/syllabus. • Answer all required questions in Section A and 3 in Section B. 6
Timing: 3 hours + 15 minutes November (tba) Reading time: • Section A: 45 minutes (approx. 8 questions: 5 mins per question) 15 minutes • Section B: 2 hours 15 mins (3 questions: then… 45 mins per question) 7
Approaching exam questions
Types of exam question 1 2 Section A (25 marks): short Section B (75 Marks): 3 answer, multiple choice, true or compulsory, extended answer false. Maximum 6 marks each. questions. 15 marks each. Can be split into multiple parts. 9
Approaching an exam question - rubric Two things to consider when approaching an exam question: Don’t forget to look at the • What is the topic/knowledge/content I mark allocation. am expected to demonstrate? • What is the command word asking me to do? What form should my question take? 10
Approaching an exam question - rubric Helping you make sense of the command words • Describe/identify/list/true or false/multiple choice – very common in section A • Analyse/discuss/evaluate/demonstrate/explain how/why – very common in section B 11
Approaching an exam question - rubric Helping you make sense of the command words: Section B • Analyse: examine in detail. • Evaluate: weigh up and reach a conclusion. • Recommend: to offer routes as being appropriate or examples of good practices and procedures. • Prepare/Provide: put together (a report/briefing note). 12
Section A questions Short answer questions Be concise with these answers, especially those that ask you to ‘list a number of items’. 13
Section A questions Short answer questions: up to 6 marks Exam paper November 2019 14
Some examples of questions from section A • Which of the following is not a standing committee of the Board? (1 mark). • A. Audit committee • B. Nomination committee • C. Finance and performance committee • D. Remuneration committee (1 mark). • C - Finance and performance committee (Part 1, The Governance landscape). 15
Some examples of questions from section A • Identify one key feature or characteristic adopted by high reliability organisations and explain how it contributes to the achievement of ongoing high reliability and safety objectives. (3 marks). • Successful containment of unexpected events (1) – back up systems (1), clear levels of responsibility (1), well defined procedures (1). • Effective anticipation of potential failures (1) – engagement with front line staff (1) or attention to the minor or trivial e.g. near misses (1). • Just culture (1) – open reporting for near misses (1) and accidents (1). • Learning orientation (1) – analysis of root cause (1) and accident types or trends (1). • Mindful leadership (1) – bottom up communication of bad news (1), regular site visits (1). • Award up to 3 marks, for any one feature/characteristic (Part 5 – Risk management, assurance and audit). 16
Section B questions Theoretical/scenario questions: 25 marks Exam paper November 2019 17
Section B questions Theoretical questions (examples of rubric include discuss, compare, illustrate) (a) Discuss the similarities and differences in the role and composition of the three statutory board committees within an NHS Trust. (16 marks) (b) Demonstrate how these NHS Trust committees support the four principles of corporate governance. (9 marks) [Total for Question = 25 marks]. • Part a: detail each role of the audit/nominate/remuneration committee. Highlight the similarities and differences – refer to guidance/code/best practice. • Part b: detail how the three statutory Board committees (nomination, audit and remuneration) support the principles of fairness, accountability, responsibility and transparency. 18
Section C questions Scenario questions (examples of rubric include advise, explain, critically analyse and discuss) Northern Health CCG (Northern) has just appointed two new lay members. You are also the newly appointed Company Secretary. Upon starting in the role, you have discovered that you report directly to the Accountable Officer of the CCG and are being asked to report back to her on any comments or observations that the new lay members make about the work of the CCG during their induction programme. Write a briefing paper for the new lay members in which you: (a) Analyse the challenges the Company Secretary can encounter within their governance role, as trusted adviser, including the issues you face at Northern. (17 marks) (b) Describe the content of, and evaluate the value of, a robust induction programme for the new lay members. (8 marks) [Total for Question 9 = 25 marks] 19
Section C questions Scenario questions (examples of rubric include advise, explain, critically analyse and discuss) (a) Answers should be set out as a briefing paper and should demonstrate how health service governance is supported by the role of the Company Secretary and the unique challenges that are faced by the role. (b) Answers should be set out as a briefing paper and should demonstrate a clear induction programme for lay members of a CCG and evaluate the value of such a programme. [view student answers] 20
Section C questions: scenarios • There are various types of briefing notes, depending upon the purpose of the communication. Some are for information only, others provide recommendations and Briefing seek decisions. note – style • Use a clear and concise opening. • To/From/Subject/Date. • Write in full sentences. and • Address each issue in turn ensuring a good flow structure • Write in sentences and paragraphs throughout and be careful with your handwriting. Only use point form if you are providing a list or you are running short of time to complete your briefing note/report. 21
Answering a scenario question What do you need to answer this question: Identify key • Prepare a report/briefing note/memo information/issues raised in – who is the audience? • Do I need to refer to any authority the scenario. (Companies Act/Guidance/best practice)? Develop a response where Apply syllabus knowledge to you are reviewing and the issues in question. revising in line with best practice. 22
Answering a scenario question - apply knowledge • Apply knowledge. • Demonstrate the skills of analysis. • Practice the ability to discuss an issue and synthesise knowledge. • Revise all of the syllabus. • Answer format – briefing note/memo? 23
What makes a good exam response?
Characteristics of good exam responses The answer is well- Time is allocated and planned: your plan can adhered to during the simply be a list/bullet exam so all questions points. are completed. The response contains analysis if required along with consideration Answer all questions. of the practical solutions and recommendations in given scenarios. 25
A few tips to avoid common mistakes Missing out Only answer parts of the what is relevant answer. to the question. Wrong information – understand the syllabus 26
A few more tips • Use of bullet points – fine for shorter responses but needs to be fully explained. • Explain – don’t just recall, marks are awarded for detailed explanation. • Use of tables to compare and contrast – acceptable as long as it is fully explained. 27
Tips for success: section B questions 1 2 3 Higher grades can be Pass answers will show Merit and distinction level obtained by ensuring an attempt at covering the answers will show breadth and depth of key points, some detailed, logical and knowledge and discussion but not fully developed arguments that understanding. developed and some cover all the requirements parts of the question may of the question. not be fully answered. 28
Should I answer questions in order? You can answer the questions in A few ideas about tackling any order. questions (mainly for Section C): You could answer your strongest question/section first, build confidence and leave time for more difficult questions; OR You may decide to answer the trickiest question first, so that if you get tired later on in the exam, you have the easiest question remaining. 29
Revision techniques
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