Portfolio Part 1 Test Brief
Portfolio part 1 test is comprised of short multiple-choice (MCQ) and multiple-answer questions (MAQ) and longer critical reasoning questions (CRQ) that are designed to assess knowledge of different subjects covered in this module.
Submission method
The test submission link will be available on Blackboard in the Assessment section during your normal seminar time in Week 5. Tests can be taken from home or on campus as Week 5 is scheduled to be online.
Test online via Blackboard – Assessment folder, can be taken from anywhere with stable internet connection.
60 minutes long, marks published when test closes.
The opens at 11am and closes late afternoon.
Students are advised to take the test between 11 – 3.
Grades released a few hours after the test closes.
If you cannot take the test on the scheduled day, please apply for MCs
Test time limit
Portfolio part 1 test will be timed to 1 hour and will be submitted automatically 1 hour after the start of the test.
Format of the test questions
The technical format of the test is multiple-choice or multiple answer questions. You will not be asked to write any
answers. All questions will require you to read and analyse the questions, and to choose those answers that you think are correct.
However, the logic of short MCQ and MAQ questions will be different from the logic of critical reasoning questions. The short MCQ and MAQ questions will mostly test your theoretical knowledge of the subject.
The longer critical reasoning questions (CRQ) will assess the application of theoretical knowledge to case studies. Each CRQ will look like a mini-case study that has several analytical answers. The answers may look like mini essays or a few explanatory sentences. You will need to choose either one or two answers after analysing each case study and possible answers.
Mock (Practice) Test
You will be able to see sample questions and answers if you attempt mock (practice tests) that will be available on Blackboard two weeks before the test deadline.
Topics to revise to prepare for test 1
Internal & External Analysis Portfolio Part 1 Test will comprise of:
· 10 MCQs on external environment analysis,
· 10 MCQs on internal environment analysis,
· 10 Critical reasoning questions that will require you to analyse mini case studies on application of Business level strategy.
Test 1 weighting and marking criteria
There is no negative marking. Total weight of all questions is 100%. The test mark is 25% of the overall portfolio mark.
Portfolio Test 1 questions weight is:
· 20 short MCQ and MAQ tests each weigh 2.5%
· 10 longer Critical Reasoning Questions each weigh 5%
Portfolio Part 2 Test Brief
Portfolio Part 2 test is comprised of longer critical reasoning questions that are designed to assess knowledge of different subjects covered in this module.
Submission method
The test submission link will be available on Blackboard in the Assessment section during your normal seminar time in week 9 you can take the test from home or on campus as Week 9 is scheduled to be online teaching.
Test time limit
Portfolio part 2 test will be timed to 1 hour and will be submitted automatically 1 hour after the start of the test.
Format of the test questions
The technical format of the test is multiple-choice or multiple answer questions. You will not be asked to write any
answers. All questions will require you to read and analyse the questions, and to choose those answers that you think are correct.
The critical reasoning questions (CRQ) will assess the application of theoretical knowledge to case studies. Each CRQ will look like a mini-case study that has several analytical answers. The answers may look like mini essays or a few explanatory sentences. You will need to choose either one or two answers after analysing each case study and possible answers.
Mock (Practice) Test
You will be able to see sample questions and answers if you attempt mock (practice tests) that will be available on Blackboard two weeks before the test deadline.
Topics to revise to prepare for test 2
Portfolio Part 2 Test will comprise of 20 Critical Reasoning Questions that will require you to analyse mini case studies on the following topics:
· Corporate level strategy
· International level strategy
· Evaluation of strategy
Test 2 marking criteria
The Portfolio Part 2 Test has 20 Critical Reasoning Questions each weighing 5%.
Portfolio Part 2 Test weighting
The total weight of all questions is 100%. The test mark is 25% of the overall portfolio mark.
Test online via Blackboard – Assessment folder, can be taken from anywhere with stable internet connection.
60 minutes long, marks published when test closes.
The opens at 11am and closes late afternoon.
Students are advised to take the test between 11 – 3.
Grades released a few hours after the test closes.
If you cannot take the test on the scheduled day, please apply for MCs
Portfolio Part 3 Strategic Proposal Report
SUBMISSION DATE: Monday 17th April @1pm UK time
SUBMISSION METHOD: Turnitin via Blackboard
DATE AND FORM OF
FEEDBACK:
10th May 2023 on Blackboard
ASSESSMENT FORMAT: Professional business strategy document with
report elements
ASSESSMENT WEIGHTING: 50% of the portfolio mark
WORD COUNT / LENGTH OF
PRESENTATION:
2000 words maximum, not including title page and referencing list.
The Strategic proposal report is designed to assess students understanding and application of strategy theories to the analysis of a real organisation. Students can select any organisation as the focus of this proposal, but you are advised to discuss the suitability of your choice with your seminar tutor.
Your strategic proposal report, will include
1. Introduction to company and internal and external analysis
2. Literature review of your chosen business strategies and theories (500 words)
3. Two strategic models that the company could follow in order to achieve organisational objectives
4. Justification of your suggested strategies using SAF or alternative framework
5. Conclusion
6. Reference list
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Criterion Weight
Business introduction & internal & external analysis 20%
Literature review 25%
Strategies suggested for business development & justification 30%
Application of theory, research & referencing 15%
Presentation, format of document, writing and communication 10%
Total 100%
Anonymous marking: this assessment will be marked anonymously.
Proposed structure of the strategic proposal:
Start your strategic proposal with a brief introduction, that explains the purpose and structure of the document.
Introduction to the company including an internal and external analysis
Literature review of theories and strategies you employ in your report (500 words)
Two strategic options that the company may employ to meet organisational objectives include SAF or similar justification of your strategic proposals
Conclusion
Reference list
Strategy proposal report layout and design
The layout of your strategy document may be based on a strategy document of another real organisation. The report elements of the document include a cover sheet, use of clear subheadings, report numbering where appropriate and clear concise writing style. Support the points you make with Harvard referencing. While some aspects of your report will be presented as written paragraphs your report will include four strategic analyses; internal, external, two strategic proposals with SAF justifications. These elements may lend themselves to being presented using charts, tables, and diagrams.
Please check these strategy documents for inspiration and conduct further research on presentation styles:
‘Being Westminster. Our Strategy 2022-2029’: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/sites/default/public-files/prospectuses/
Being-Westminster-2022-29.pdf
University of Oxford Strategic Plan 2018-23:
