How to respond to extended

response questions

Global Strategy and Leadership |

S1 2019
Allow sufficient time to answer all the questions

Calculate the time allowed for the questions

• Identify the total time allowed for the exam and deduct 15 minutes (you will use this 15 minutes at the
end of the exam to give your work a final check and to look for and answer any unanswered or
incomplete questions.
195 - 15 = 180 minutes
• Identify the total number of marks for the whole exam.
80
• Work out how many minutes you have for each mark in the exam (time allowance per mark) by
dividing a) by b).
180 ÷ 80 = approximately 2 minutes per mark
• For each section of the exam or each case in the exam work out the time allowance for the section or
case by multiplying the number of marks for the question by the time allowance per mark c). In this
example assume that the case study is worth 12 marks.
12 x 2 = 24 minutes to answer a 12 mark question

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Read all the questions carefully

Before you look at the case, read all of the questions.

By reading the questions before you read the case will:

• give you a focus when you read the case
• let you decide on what order you will answer the questions (answer the ones that you think
are easiest first), and
• give your mind more time to work on retrieving what you know about the topic.

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How to approach each extended-response question

• Step 1 – Interpret the question

• Step 2 – Research the topic

• Step 3 – Outline your answer

• Step 4 – Apply the research

• Step 5 – Write your answer

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Step 1 – Interpret the question
Question 31
With reference to case facts, evaluate the option of leasing the new machines and centralising operations
using Rumelt’s four evaluation criteria:
• external consistency
• internal consistency
• feasibility
• competitive advantage.
(4 Marks)
Step 1—To interpret the question you need to identify
• Topic: Evaluate strategic options.
• Scope or boundaries: Limited to option of leasing the new machines and centralising operations for
Tasty Foods using Rumelt’s criteria.
• Instructional verb(s): Evaluate—using case facts against each of the four Rumelt’s criteria, judge the
likelihood of success (or) make judgements about the best option.
• Quantities: Evaluate the option against each of Rumelt’s criteria, of which there are four (4). This
reconciles to the total marks (4) for the question.

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Step 2 – Research the topic

You need to identify a model, concepts or framework that is directly related to the topic and use the
scope/boundaries to refine it. To do this:
• draw on what you learned from your study, and
• delve into your Study guide for detail on the appropriate model, concept, framework or legislation.

The refined topic is ‘evaluation of strategic options’ and you know the list of four Rumelt’s criteria against
which the case facts should be evaluated.

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Step 3 – Outline your answer

• An outline will help to make sure that you answer all parts of a question with the correct
number of responses.
• Draw an outline of your response, putting in enough detail so that you can use it as a note-
taking scratch pad when reading the case study, or as a checklist when writing your
answer.
CRITERION EVALUATION
1. Criterion Case fact and how it exemplifies the first
criterion
2. Criterion Case fact and how it exemplifies the
second criterion
3. Criterion Case fact and how it exemplifies third
criterion
4. Criterion Case fact and how it exemplifies the
fourth criterion

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Step 4 – Apply the research

CRITERION EVALUATION

1. External consistency Acquiring a new, advanced technology and

centralising operations to reduce costs is
consistent with the industry price reduction
trend. The advanced nature of the factory in
which the competitive Philippines-based
products are produced further supports the
value of competition through technology.

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 Step 5 – Write your answer
To orient the marker include relevant parts of the question in your introduction.

To signpost the marker include parts of the question and appropriate connectives:

CRITERION
External consistency

EVALUATION
Acquiring a new, advanced technology and centralising operations to reduce costs is consistent with the industry price
reduction trend. The advanced nature of the factory in which the competitive Philippines-based products are produced
further supports the value of competition through technology.

RACE acronym:
• Restate or reword specific vocabulary from the question to the turn question into a statement
• Answer the question by showing how or why
• Cite specific details or evidence from the text, and
• Explain how the evidence supports your answer.

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Critique a response

• Has the writer answered the question appropriately and completely?

• Would this answer gain full marks?
• Can you see if/how the writer has used parts of the question to orient the marker?
• Can you see if/how the writer has used connectives to signpost the marker?
• How could the answer be improved?

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Now it’s your turn

Now that you know how to answer an extended-response question, and you have critiqued an
answer, it’s time to put your knowledge to the ultimate test.

Construct an answer to Question 32 of the Exam Practice Questions.

We recommend you use the suggested solution to mark your work.

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