If it takes 5 machines, 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets?
Got your answers written down?
We’ll come back to that in a minute.
How do we learn to think through a case study and develop a methodology to solve a case study in the AF exams?
Do you want to have more chance of a FULL answer (more marks).
Do you want to cover ALL aspects in your answer (more marks)
Do you want to be analysing at a deeper level (more marks)
Do you want to be covering EVERYTHING the examiner might be looking for (more marks)
In all my years of studying and teaching there is only ONE way to study: the best and most effective way. Why wouldn’t you do it that way?
You need to be active in your study and you need to think slowly.
How do we learn to think through a case study and develop a methodology to solve a case study in the AF exams?
We use a framework, a process which we build and on which we can hang our thinking on, without too much effort, which will get us going in the right direction.
This is all about making sure we get the FULL marks in the exam.
The marks we are entitled to, he marks for the knowledge we have. By learning how to attach your case study answers to a framework, you give yourself a fighting chance.
It means that you can practice building a framework BEFORE the exam.
You can make it slick. Your brain won’t stop you from thinking. In fact, your brain will rush to the familiar framework and you can hang your answers on the frame in a logical, progressive, analytical way – the way that the examiner is going to give you marks for…
It means you will have more chance of a FULL answer (more marks).
It means you will cover ALL aspects (more marks)
It means you are analysing at a deeper level (more marks)
It means that you are covering EVERYTHING the examiner could be looking for (more marks)
Those frameworks are now attached in your structured study plans.
1. Test it yourself on case studies
Use real case study questions. Do what you do each day. Practice on your own case studies and your own clients.
Making it real makes it come alive and useful. Practice using case studies, because that’s what you’ll be doing in the exam….and use your framework.
2. Write your study notes. Build your pictures.
Make it yours and practice OPEN BOOK. Learn what good feels like….and hang it on your framework to make sure you cover everything.
But, why is this so difficult?
Why is it that for 80% of you it will just not happen? Yes, for 80% of you, your diary will win. Your instinctive brain will take over.
Let’s go back to the question we asked at the start?
Answer = 5mins
Cognitive effort (thinking, in other words), has been found to be unpleasant to 80% of us and we avoid it as much as possible*.
Making an effort to slowly think through a case study requires effort from your brain.
And your brain doesn’t like to work too hard.
Don’t let the lazy controller take over and beat you. The AF exams are tricky and you will need all the help you can get to take control and learn how to slow think and work through those practice exam questions.
It means that you can practice building a framework BEFORE the exam.
It means you will have more chance of a FULL answer (more marks).
It means you will cover ALL aspects (more marks)
It means you are analysing at a deeper level (more marks)
It means that you are covering EVERYTHING the examiner could be looking for (more marks)
Those frameworks are now attached in your structured study plans – go seek and use them as a framework for your answer (the video explanation is below).
This week is ‘catch-up’ week. This is a great week to reflect on your learning from the first three modules and go back over your learning.
Put this problem-solving framework into action and I can assure you that it will pay dividends over the next 8 weeks.
We’re back on schedule from Monday 1 August and I’m looking forward to seeing these frameworks used in the assignment questions going into a very busy study schedule for August.
Don’t get held back by your busy diary or by your brain slowing you down: use framework and get that pass first time!
Good luck and all the very best.
john
