Exam prep

Know what's coming

The exam

Final examination / assessment, as stated in the official syllabus. Ask a senior or your exam office for a past paper to confirm the question pattern.

Core course unit; not counted in the GPA. Final examination / assessment.

Practice

Until we have a past paper, practise with the topic quizzes and the likely questions below. Write each essay answer by hand, then check it against its frame.

Mixed quiz and flashcards

Likely questions

Written by us from your syllabus, not copied from any exam paper. Tap one to open its sheet.

Short answers

Define business communication.Unit I What is feedback in communication?Unit I What is the grapevine?Unit I What is a semantic barrier? Give an example.Unit I What is a memo?Unit II When do you use ‘Yours faithfully’ and ‘Yours sincerely’?Unit II What are terms of reference in a report?Unit II Distinguish between Cc and Bcc in an email.Unit II Distinguish between hearing and listening.Unit III What is empathic listening?Unit III What is metacommunication?Unit III What is proxemics?Unit III What is extemporaneous delivery?Unit IV Name four types of visual aids.Unit IV What is media richness?Unit IV Distinguish between synchronous and asynchronous communication.Unit IV What is a panel interview?Unit V What is the STAR method?Unit V What is constructive feedback?Unit V What is a leading question? Give an example.Unit V What is groupthink?Unit VI What is a handover in a team presentation?Unit VI What is a quorum?Unit VI Distinguish between an agenda and minutes.Unit VI

Structured questions

Explain the key elements of business communication.Unit I Compare oral and written communication.Unit I Distinguish between one-way and two-way communication.Unit I Draft a memo to all staff announcing a fire drill.Unit II Explain the 7 Cs of effective business writing.Unit II Draft an email to a customer confirming a meeting.Unit II Explain the barriers to effective listening.Unit III What are ‘hidden messages’ sent by managers? Give examples.Unit III Explain how non-verbal communication relates to verbal messages.Unit III Explain how a speaker can manage stage fright.Unit IV Explain the factors to consider when selecting a communication medium.Unit IV Explain the etiquette to follow in a video conference.Unit IV Explain how a candidate should prepare for a job interview.Unit V Explain the guidelines for giving effective instructions.Unit V Explain open, closed and probing questions with examples.Unit V Explain the characteristics of effective team communication.Unit VI Explain the guidelines for an effective team presentation.Unit VI Prepare a notice and agenda for a monthly sales meeting.Unit VI

Essay questions

Explain the communication process with a neat diagram.Unit I Discuss the importance of business communication to a modern organisation.Unit I Discuss the barriers to effective communication and suggest ways to overcome them.Unit I Explain the layout of a business letter and draft a letter of complaint to a supplier.Unit II Describe the structure of a formal business report.Unit II Explain the guidelines for writing effective business emails.Unit II Discuss the importance of effective listening and explain how a manager can improve listening skills.Unit III Explain how managers send hidden messages through time, space and actions, and how they can avoid sending wrong ones.Unit III Explain the elements of non-verbal communication and their importance in business.Unit III Explain how to plan and deliver an effective oral presentation.Unit IV Discuss the guidelines for preparing and using effective visual aids in a business presentation.Unit IV Discuss the advantages and limitations of technologically mediated communication in business.Unit IV Explain the stages of an employment interview and the skills needed by the interviewer.Unit V Discuss how a manager can give instructions and feedback effectively.Unit V Explain the questioning techniques a manager should use in one-to-one communication.Unit V Discuss the stages of team development and the communication needed at each stage.Unit VI Discuss the advantages and challenges of team presentations, and explain how a team should plan and deliver one.Unit VI Explain how to plan and conduct an effective business meeting.Unit VI

Answer frames

How to lay out a long answer, with a write-up check. 21 frames so far.