Topic 9

Ordinarily as a former OBU marker I would try to help but this is one of the few topics I never marked (through choice). It is not a very popular topic and does need a lot of internal information sources. Even though it may interest you unless you have these good data sources as you only have one chance to submit I really think you should consider either Topic 17 or 18 as they have better pass rates.

I am sorry I am raining on your parade. If you had all 3 attempts remaining and were happy to get a grade C I would had said go ahead with Topic 9, however it is a bit of a gamble trying to pass this topic at the first attempt. No there is no official breakdown of exam pass rates I am speaking from 14 years experience of marking the projects. My pass rates for Topic 17 and 18 were always amongst the highest of all the topics I marked and a majority passed at the first attempt.

I think Kids Co would be a very suitable organisation for Topic 17 and yes you do have time if you get stuck in now. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee published an excellent report on the KC that would help you a lot to get started. (If you don’t manage to locate it contact me via my website absolutementoring.uk – there is a contact page – and I can then forward you a copy).

Hi Hercule

With Topics 8 & 15 you will have to choose an organisation from one of the mandatory industry sectors (see the Info Pack or the first page of the Thread P37 & P38 Prescribed Industry Sectors) and at best the first time pass rate for Topic 8 is about 50% and probably significantly less for Topic 15 (whereas it is about 70%+ for Topics 17 and 18).

I don’t want to sound like “nanny knows best” but as you have only one shot at this, make sure you give it your best and choosing Topic 17 (or 18) will at least put you on the right track.

In the end it is your choice of course – I am just talking from the experience of having marked thousands of projects when I was a senior marker.

Hi Hercule

Yes it is good to start now as with less than 3 months to go you will find time start to slip away quickly and having a timetable is essential so you can monitor your progress. ((You can even create a Gantt Chart in Excel for this purpose -though a detailed list of all the tasks including the SLS Statement and Presentation slides and a schedule of planned times of completion and milestones for the report will suffice)

Getting the objectives down and beginning writing up Parts 1 &2 are reasonably straightforward and getting them out of the way will then allow you to devote as much time as possible to Part 3 which is what markers focus on.

Slightly disappointed that you are going with Carillion rather than Kids Company as the latter would have made an equally interesting project (and there is Corporate Governance Code especially for charities). However it is important that you are happy with your choice.

The issue my students are finding with Carillion is one of ‘information overload’! They have found lots of good material however reading through it all is taking time and having to be selective about which sources to use are their main difficulties while preparing Part 3. A good structure is therefore important as you will need to demonstrate clear understanding and critical thought to get a higher grade (if you are after this).

Good luck and best wishes
Gillian