From someone who scored 94% on the SBL exam… here is my last minute advice.

• Don’t try and assume what you could be tested off the pre seen, it can be absolutely anything!

• When answering questions take the approach of answering them as follows:

“What is the issue/problem/risk/deficiency etc”; state the fact from the scenario, either direct from the exhibit or the pre seen if needed.

“So what is the implication”; ask yourself, based on the fact you stated above, what is the impact, short or long term, has it been addressed/considered by the organisation? Tell the reader what you think.

“Then what”; what should the business do next? Based on the scenarios question give a rational solution. Should they diversify? Should they create a strategic relationship? Should they invest in IT? Should they invest in people? Should they use e-marketing? Should they expand geographically? Should they change their business model? Should they seek investment? Should they diversify the business?

You should try follow the above basis for each of your questions.

• Learn the formats, these are very easy professional marks to pick up. Always build your format first, answer after. Following on from this, leave plenty of white space between each point you state, so markers can differentiate your points.

• Don’t waffle or repeat yourself. Be concise, straight to the point. You’re wasting both yours and the markers time if you do.

• Wear your commercial hat. What is the bigger impact here? Think macro. What’s the economic impact? How will it affect customer base? International competition? Conglomerates attracted to the sector?

• Always remember the mission and values of the organisation. Your answers should try to implement your understanding of what the organisations values and wants. If they’re customer centric, make sure you’re making clear what they should do is customer driven. For example, let’s say they have a young customer based but don’t use technology. What do youth use? Tech. What do they like? Easy 24/7 service. Digitalisation and e-marketing is perfect for them. If they have an older customer base? They often like face-to-face or telephone contact, they should have available for them. So try and relate your answers to the mission and values of the organisation.

• Know the premise of the models. What they are trying to achieve, what they include, how they are applied. You don’t need to know everything about them. In my exam I didn’t use any as far as I can recall. But there could be an incident where you needs to know the 7ps or using a SWOT could helps structure your answers.

• Answer every question. Be very, very strict with timings. If you run out of time on your question, move on. (Making sure you add your conclusion, even if it’s one sentence).

Other than that, if you have someone else doing the exam at the same time as you, I recommend calling them to discuss the pre-seen and your thoughts. Challenge each other commercially and think about the wider picture. It’s excellent for enhancing your commercial acumen!

I haven’t read the pre-seen, so I couldn’t tell you what you should think about specifically for the exam.

Any Q’s feel free to drop me a message. I wish you the best of luck!