YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCOTLAND EXAMINATION 2014
Senior Examiner’s Report
Background and Announcement
The purpose of the Examination is to provide an external indicator of the level of understanding from the experience of being part of a YES Company. It is in itself a learning opportunity, as it requires reflection on the many aspects of running a business. This reflection created by the paper should enable, over the longer term, a more objective, holistic and practically useful appreciation of the experience. There is plenty of evidence that it achieves that. Many employers and Universities in Scotland find it a sound starting point for selection, particularly in interview sessions.
For 21 years I have been involved in the examination, the last 15 as Senior Examiner with responsibility for setting and moderation of the examination. Twenty-one years is the entire lifespan of the exam, and Strathclyde University’s provision of it, after being succesful in a bid to Young Enterprise Scotland. I am sure you will understand that it is therefore with much sadness, that, largely due to personal circumstances, I announce that I am relinquishing the role of Senior Examiner. This decision also coincides with the ending of the very different examination provided by OCR for Young Enterprise in the rest of Great Britain.
This role has always been, although extremely tough at times, the most rewarding annual experience in my working life. I know that the end result is always beneficial to the young people who take part, even though it is likely to be months rather than days before the benefit is noted. Indeed, it may never be noticed and connected to the Strathclyde examination, but the reflective experience undoubtedly enables greater effectiveness, particularly in interactive behaviour and in understanding the complexity of organisations at a deep level.
I would like to thank all those who have supported the Company Programme, YES companies and the Examination in many ways; and, in particular, all my fellow Examiners over the years for making it the really useful, worthwhile and recognised experience it has been for the participants.
This year’s Examination
It is particularly satisfying to say that from an examiner’s perspective the paper has enabled the best results in 21 years. What has been achieved is the highest mean mark ever at just below credit level, i.e. more sound high end passes than ever before. Both passes and credit level individual marks have increased by between 5-6% since 2002. A larger number of young people have been able to convince us this year than ever before that they have understood and were able to express their understanding of the YES experience. The best example of this is that it is clear that the links between value, price, quality and costs of providing the product or service are more deeply appreciated and expressed than previously, with many candidates reporting and giving specific examples that when going shopping now they look at products and their price in a very different way.
Year / Ungraded / Pass / Credit / Distinction / Year / Ungraded / Pass / Credit / Distinction2002 / 4% / 61% / 25% / 10% / 2008 / 3% / 51% / 38% / 8%
2003 / 6% / 58% / 31% / 6% / 2009 / 4% / 53% / 37% / 7%
2004 / 5% / 60% / 26% / 10% / 2010 / 2% / 66% / 29% / 3%
2005 / 3.5% / 52% / 34.5% / 10% / 2011 / 3% / 53% / 38% / 6%
2006 / 5% / 55% / 32% / 8% / 2012 / 5% / 56% / 36% / 3%
2007 / 3% / 53% / 32% / 12% / 2013 / 4% / 64% / 28% / 4%
2014 / 3% / 61% / 33% / 3%
The number of Distinctions has decreased since 2002 by 6-7% on average and is now the same % as Ungraded papers. There is quite a large number at the lower end of Distinction in comparison with the earlier years in the table.
The two least popular optional questions, by quite a long way, are on two of the most critical areas for running a business, cash flow and productivity. The former scored the second lowest average mark but the latter the highest! The most popular optional question was on product ideas and development, and the second most popular was on social media. The one on social media had the lowest overall average mark, and the product ideas question was nearly the same, suggesting that they were both thought to be easy options but were not in practice.
There is no doubt that the opportunity for schools to use electronic entry rather than handwriting enables greater and clearer expression and therefore higher achievement. The school which produced the highest number of Credits and Distinctions in a company was one where all 16 company members took the exam and all used word processing.
One thing has remained constant throughout the 21 years and that is the poor record of banks in providing support to YES businesses.
There has been a dramatic change over the years in communication media between company members: from entirely face to face to multiple electronic means. This has removed many of the early communication difficulties, where the organisation and minuting of meetings were key barriers. Technology can add new ones such as not everyone having access to mobile phones. However, on the whole it is clear that use of technology has levelled the playing field between urban schools and rural ones in ensuring that everyone can (if properly organised) be kept up to date. Private Facebook pages dominate currently as the preferred solution, coupled with other messaging media.
Two final comments
Congratulations to all the YES participants over the years who not only had fun and frustration, but also developed themselves and communicated their understanding and enthusiasm to contribute to an enterprising Scotland of the future. Well done!
My favourite quote read on the last page of the last of over 800 scripts in the 1990’s:
”When we finally wined down our company we will celebrate”
I fully intend to follow their example now that I have completed my final contribution to the Strathclyde YES Examination. Cheers!
John Bothams
Senior Examiner