QCAA Business exam-day guide
QCAA Business · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and confirmation of your exam details
Bring the identification your school or exam supervisor requires. The exact ID rules are set by your provider, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a school-issued card is sufficient.
Know the exact time, room, and reporting time
Confirm the start time and how early you must arrive. Seating and reading time procedures vary between venues, so check with the provider rather than assuming.
Approved writing equipment
Pack several black or blue pens, pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener. Confirm with the provider which equipment is permitted for Business papers.
Approved calculator if permitted
Business papers can involve ratio and percentage calculations. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models are approved before relying on one.
Clear water bottle and a light snack
Hydration helps concentration. Check venue rules on bottles and food; some rooms require labels removed or forbid snacks.
A watch or awareness of time
You may not be able to see a clock from your seat. Confirm whether a wristwatch is allowed and whether smart devices are prohibited.
No notes, phones, or smart devices at your desk
Leave phones and smart watches switched off and stored as directed. Bringing unauthorised material into the room can lead to a breach ruling.
Review command words and the formula or concept list
Spend the last study session on command words such as explain, analyse, and evaluate, plus key business concepts, rather than learning brand-new content.
Plan your response structure for extended answers
Practise a quick plan: definition, explanation, example, and judgement. This saves time under pressure and improves structure marks.
Sleep and morning routine
Prioritise sleep over late-night cramming. Eat a normal breakfast and arrive with buffer time for transport delays.
Check accessibility or special provisions
If you need adjustments, confirm arrangements well ahead with the provider. Do not assume they are automatically in place.
Plan the day
Consolidate rather than cram. Rework summaries of key syllabus topics, practise a timed section or two, and review feedback on past responses. Focus on command words and how marks are allocated, and stop adding new content after this point.
Do a light review of concept lists and extended-response plans, pack your equipment and ID, confirm transport and reporting time with the provider, and set two alarms. Aim for a full night's sleep rather than a late session.
Eat breakfast, arrive early, and avoid last-minute discussion with others that could raise anxiety. Once seated, read all instructions, check the paper structure, and note the marks and suggested time for each section.
Allocate time by marks, start with questions you can answer confidently, and read command words carefully. For calculations, show working. For extended responses, plan briefly, use business terminology and examples, and finish with a clear judgement. Leave time to check that every question is attempted.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from the exam supervisor. If an instruction is unclear, ask before the paper begins; confirm with the provider how queries during the exam are handled.
Bring only permitted materials into the exam room. Phones, smart watches, and notes must be stored as directed; unauthorised material can be treated as a breach of exam rules.
Confirm with the provider the identification requirements and what to do if your ID is lost or forgotten, as consequences vary by provider.
Confirm with the provider the rules on supervised breaks and leaving the room, including whether toilet breaks are permitted and how they are recorded.
Marks are awarded against the criteria and command words. Answer the question asked, use business terminology, and support judgements with evidence rather than describing content only.
If you feel unwell or something affects your performance, tell the supervisor and confirm with the provider how to report it afterwards, as processes differ between providers.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the paper has started or during collection, and stop writing immediately when instructed.