3. Analysis

Serious marks (30-50%) are scored in Exams for analysis.  It is a high level skill and with a practice you will get better at it. 

The most frequent forms include:

1. The strengths and weaknesses (or perhaps a SWOT ana lysis strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats)
2. explaining why something is significant e.g. the variance, the mean, the colour, the tone, the tempo the mood, the speed, the strength
3. Costs and benefit - the financial and non-financial costs v the benefits
4. Compare - identify and explain the similarities between two factors
5. Contrast - identify and explain the differences between two factors
6. The effect of missing elements on a pattern
7. The stages in a process
8. How something is done
9. The impact of one factor on another, including the magnitude of the effect

Check the value of the question and the structure expected. 

Eg. "Identify and explain one advantage and one disadvantage of the decision to move to larger premises (4)"

In this question, the examiner expects you you write two short paragraphs.  Each should start by identifying an issue (i.e. an advantage, then a disadvantage), which you then explain with at least three levels of analysis, one mark per level.

(Issue) Larger premises would allow the business to sell a wider range of items (one mark), this would allow the firm to attract a wider range of cutsomers (analysis - level one, one mark), these customers may spend more money increasing the firms revenue (analysis - level two, one mark) and potentally profits (analysis - level three, one mark).

So the answer has one sequence of analysis, advantages, all flowing from the one issue.

Potentially, the examination might ask for a similar series as a disadvantage.  eg.  (Issue identified) A larger premises probably means a higher rent (one mark),  raising fixed costs (analysis - level one, one mark), this would adversely affect monthly cashflow (analysis - level two, one mark) which increases the level of risk undertaken by the firm (analysis - level three, one mark).

In both these answers the issue is identified first and scores the first mark, the expansion of the analysis provides you access to points scored according to the levels of analysis you develop. 

Note that the answer is one chain of events.

Evaluation next!