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Hi there,
Firstly, apologies to all the students posting on here for the June 2014 exams – this is a query pertaining to the December 2014 exam.Looking at the syllabus guide for this paper I’m unable to see any reference under section C – Budgeting and Control to regression analysis at all (including theory). I appreciate no calculations to be required (per the OT course notes) from 2013 onward but was just wondering whether to pass over this subject matter completely?
Many thanks for your assistance in advance.
Chris
Regression analysis is not mentioned in the syllabus because it is assumed knowledge from Paper F2. (The same applies to time series analysis, and to basic variances).
As it says in our Course Notes, the examiner has said that she will not ask calculations on regression analysis or time series analysis. All she can expect is an understanding of the idea.
(Basic variance analysis is, of course, essential. Parts of questions do test basic variance analysis, and also it is impossible to do planning and operational variances without being able to do basic variance analysis.)
F5 is a course that looks easy at first side, yes it actually is but i have realised that time is a fundamental problem, no matter how much you know you would hardly find more than 80% of students sitting in for this course finish answering all 5 questions properly.
My question is why is it so?. Can’t the examiners of part 2 and 3 see in to that.
you will bear with me that apart from F4 and F6, rare are situations where the pass
rate is 50% talk less of going beyond that.
Talking about regression analysis and the subject areas that are considered assumed knowledge, usually this are areas that pose problems compared to those that are considered to be F5 base knowledgeThe exams are certainly demanding, but they are supposed to be. F4 to F9 are full university degree level, the P papers are masters degree level.
I think you are wrong about your 80% – if students are well prepared then they should be able to complete the questions in the time.With regard to regression analysis and time series, they are examined in Paper F2 and do not cause problems there for most people – regression analysis in particular is very much sticking figures in a formula that is given in F2. It would be silly for them to be examined again at Paper F5, which is why the most that can be expected is that you are aware of the idea.
The only other area that is assumed knowledge is basic variances. If you have previously taken F2 then you should be happy with the idea, even though obviously it needs revising. Again, the examiner has said that there will never now be a question just on basic variances, but certainly parts of questions can be (and are) calculating basic variances.
Obviously it can be more of a problem for people who were exempt from F2 if they did not learn the topics at university. However, if that is the case it is more the fault of the university.
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