ISP examinations will be held every twice a year. It is in March and October. You can download the Registration Form and Revised Examination Time Table (scroll down for download)

Please find the Exemption form here.

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Comments by examiners on performances of LISP/AISP March 2010 examination.

A. English Language Examination (Module I)

1. Six candidates sat for the exam. Although there was one failure, the overall standard was quite good. Of course, as always marking is very lenient, never-the-less, candidates did show some improvement. Most of them have improved their grammar etc.

1. Regarding the exam itself, question 4 is not understood or attempted well. One candidate merely copied the original text.

B. Agricultural Science Soils I Examination (Module I)

1. Out of 10 candidates who set for the exam 3 passed. 2 obtained B and 1 obtained C.
2. Candidates must be advised again to improve their ineligible handwriting.
3. Candidates hand writing too flowery and difficult to read.

C. Agricultural Science Soils II Examination (Module II)

1. out of 13 candidates:

            1 obtained A

            3 obtained B                 

            4 obtained C

            2 obtained D

            3 obtained E 

D. Agricultural Science Soils III Examination (Module III)

Only one candidate sat for the exam and obtained a credit.

E. Agricultural Science Botany I Examination (Module I)

Overall performance of all three modules in Botany is fairly good as compared to the previous years. In module I the percentage failure is normally pretty high. The main reasons are candidates do not answer all four questions or they waste time answering all the six questions. The other mistakes they make is not answering to what is asked. All these resulted in getting zero for their answers.

F. Agricultural Science Botany II Examination (Module II)

All candidates passed their exams, although not exceptionally well, with only one candidate obtaining a credit. From the answers given by the candidates, this year, there seems to be some organized studies in this subject; a few of them are in the redeemable failure category and reading them for the second time, I have upgraded them to a pass because they just missed by one or two marks.

G. Agricultural Science Botany III Examination (Module III)

1.       Two candidates passed but one has been given a credit.

2.       On the whole if the candidates are instructed to answer only four questions and to the point (they should not attempt all six). If the candidates are given some organized or group studies, they will perform better.

  H. Principles of Management (Module I)

1.       Out of 12 candidates who sat for the paper:

                        2 obtained A

                        4 obtained B

                        1 obtained C

                        1 obtained D

                        4 obtained E

1. The four candidates who obtained E were obviously ill-prepared – made conspicuous by their failure to answer many sub questions. 3 of them did not even pass Q1 which was on basic management functions and roles undertaken by managers.

1. Question by question analysis:

               Q1- 16 candidates got 20marks and above. All candidates attempted this question.

              Q2- 2 candidates answered this question and both failed miserably. They failed to distinguish                          between strategic and operational objectives.

              Q3- All the candidates attempted this question and 6 of them obtained 20 marks and above.                          Generally fair response.

               Q4- Of 6 candidates who attempted this question, 5 of them got 15 marks and above. The answers                         did not adequately cover the salient issues.

              Q5- 10 candidates attempted this question and the response was disappointing in that many                          candidates could not cite the fundamental difference between leadership and management.

               Q6- Only 1 candidate attempted this question. May well be an indication that planters are only                          concerned with their internal environment.

               Q7-   4 candidates attempted this question and their response was grossly inadequate.

Additional Notes:

1. Candidates must be made aware of the recent changes in the trend of questioning. Candidates will be tested on fundamental management principles and how these principles can be applied at the workplace.
2. Candidates who simply state management principles without relating to their workplace or plantation environment will stand to loose substantial marks – unless there is no specific requirement in the question.
3. Candidates are advised to peruse through the recent papers to get a “feel” of the current trend of questions.

I. Estate Safety, Health & Welfare examination (Module I)

1. Answers not properly structured as discussed during training/lecturers.
2. Answers are not in order – disarray.
3. Answers not in order according to paging.
4. Lengthy answers for some questions especially Q4A – candidates need only to list hazards instead of discussing ways to reduce them/prevent them.
5. Answers give in form of table. (1 candidate) though strictly told not to answer in table form.
6. Ineligible writing.
7. Poor grammar (English).
8. Some of the answers scanty – no substance.
9. Questions not answered at all.
   

J. Land Surveying (Theory) Examination (Module II)

1. Candidates managed to answer question no.1 fairly well whereas question 2 to 7 were answered badly. Generally it looks like they are not prepared for it. Questions were not much different from those in the previous year’s examination.

i.             Prismatic compass bearing adjustment,

ii.            Calculation of bearing using exterior angles,

iii.          Volume calculations,

iv.           Reductions of level and gradient,

v.            Custom survey.

2.       Suggest that candidates register early for the examinations so that some form of tutorial be given on the                  subject listed above. I am prepared to write the notes or example of how to carry out the calculations based on      the question papers from previous years.

K. General Estate Practice Examination (Module II)

1. This time around an overall improvement in subject is noted and answers have been better than before as reflected in the marks earned.

1. A critical comment would be for some candidates to be made aware; that a good handwriting – that is better readable could get them ‘better marks’.

L. Bahasa Malaysia Examination (Module II)

Prestasi kedua-dua calon agak baik walaupun terdapat kesalahan tatabahasa dalam jawapan mereka, tetapi pemikiran dan pengetahuan mereka sungguh menarik.

M. Agricultural Practices- Oil Palm Examination (Module IV)

1. Candidates have not spent time to understand the questions asked. Had all questions been correctly answered, they would have done better.

1. One of the candidates was unsuccessful because when he answered question 5 – i.e. write an essay on

            Invertebrate problem and their control in oil palm plantation, he answered on “rats” control.

N. Industrial Relation (Module III)

1.       Only 1 candidate sat for the paper

2.       Question 1: The answers for the sub-questions (a) & (c) were too brief. On sub-question (b) candidate was not able to define condonation and explain the full implication of condonation.

3.       Question 3: The answers were too brief. Secondly clear examples must be provided to distinguish between contract for service and contract of service and likewise to distinguish between breach of contract and termination of contract.

4.       Question 4: The candidate did not comprehend the context of the question and the discussion required. The thrust of the answer should be whether it is necessary to conduct a domestic inquiry before dismissal and not on the procedures of domestic inquiry.

5.       Question 7: The answers were simply too brief and inadequate to secure full marks.

1.       Record showed 12 candidates registered for the paper.  Finally only 7 (58.3%) candidates availed themselves     for the examination.  4 candidates postponed their attempts while 1 candidate did not show up.

2. 1 candidate scored C.  1 candidate got D.  This particular candidate scored high marks for Section A (Multiple        Choices Question) and also Question 1 in Section B.   Although the candidate attempted the other 3 questions    failed miserably probably due to narrow scope of coverage in his/her preparation.

3.   5 candidates obtained E.  Their scores range between a low of 18 marks and 42 marks. The scores of these failed candidates clearly showed they were ill-prepared.

4.   The performances of these candidates are a far cry vis-à-vis the immediate past examination “diet”.

5.   Question Analysis:

o        Section A

(MCQ): All candidates attempted these MCQ’s.  Their scores range from 8 marks to 16 marks out of a maximum 20 marks.  5 out of 7 candidates scored above 10 marks.  Apparently, candidates are now better prepared for such easy marks gaining questions.

o        Section B

Q1: This question deals with vertical presentation of a Balance Sheet and listing of 4 main organization controls.  Candidates are required to pick and slot in figures from the question. All candidates attempted this question one candidate secured 19 marks out of 20 marks.  Their scores range from 4 marks to 19 marks.  All except 2 candidates scored above 10 marks.  The candidate who obtained 4 marks clearly was not ready for this paper.

o        Q2: This question deals with preparation of income statement, computation of earnings per share and basis of cost allocation for given transaction items. 16 marks were allocated to the easy part which requires only number crunching.  This is actually the simplest question but it turned out to be the worst attempted.  All candidates failed.  Their marks ranged from 0 mark to 2 marks.  They did not have adequate knowledge of basic book keeping techniques!

o        Q3: This question has 2 parts.  The first part deals with journal entries and the second part deals with simple costing principles.  The journal entries section is actually similar to one of the question in November 2009 for which I have provided suggested model answer.  1 candidate did not attempt this question.  Only 1 candidate managed to score 10 marks out of 20 marks.  Their marks range from 2 to 10 marks.  The overall score for this question was dragged down by the second part because costing questions are less examined in the recent past sittings.  Apparently candidates were complacent about the importance of costing principles and did not pay much attention to this section of the syllabus.  They did not have adequate knowledge of basic costing principles!

o        Q4:  This is a regular plantation environment question testing candidates on the basic plantation book keeping and accounting treatments.  1 candidate did not attempt this question.  The marks of the other 6 candidates range from 9 to 11 marks.  The difference between this question and those in the past are the current questions incorporated 2 additional adjustments (i.e. adjustment f and g).  Candidates memorized the format of the suggested model answers I provided in the past will not fully satisfy the answer for this question.  They fumbled because they did not know how to make these 2 additional adjustments correctly.  The incorrect figures for the related entries further caused incorrect answers for “profit before tax”, “taxation”, “profit after tax” and “retained earnings carry forward”, etc.  It appears that candidates do not have a basic grasp of the principles of adjustments entries!

6.   From the above analysis, it can be concluded that candidates tend to memorize model answers provided by             examiner and did not care to learn the basic underlying principles from text books or course manuals.  Slight                         variations to similar question will catch them off guard as the variations invalidate the model suggested answers.

To avoid recurrence of observation 5 above, I do not intend to provide further suggested model answers so that    future candidates will have to resort to learning the principles from text books or attend workshops/seminars, etc

Comments on the Performances of ISP Book-keeping and Accounting Examination

I have been appointed the examiner for the Book-keeping and Accounting paper since September 2006. I must applause the foresight of The ISP Secretariat for requesting examiner’s feedbacks to assist candidates to prepare for their future attempt(s) of the Book-keeping and Accounting examination.

The format of the Book-keeping and Accounting paper remains almost the same as with the previous examiners. All questions are compulsory. Section A comprises of 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQ’s), while Section B has four questions worth 20 marks each.

The MCQ’s allow for broad syllabus coverage in each sitting. Candidates preparing for future sittings should take note of this. The MCQ’s are relatively easy to score. I increased the marks of Section A from 10 marks previously to a more generous 20 marks to assist candidates to pass their examinations. In the past sittings, those candidates who had developed their knowledge across the syllabus were able to obtain high marks, but those who had restricted their preparation to selected topics were less successful. It is discouraging to note that candidates of the recent 2 sittings did not have a broad knowledge of the syllabus.

In Section B, Questions 1 to 3 tested on a number of topics, inter alia, Bank Reconciliation, Club and Incomplete Records, Correction of Errors, Preparation of Trading, Profit & Loss Accounts and Balance Sheet for a sole proprietorship, and partnership, and will cover all other topics within the syllabus.

A particular format of question on plantation operations had been consistently set in Section B and on most occasions appeared as Question 4. This was intended to assist candidates to gain easy marks as the levels of knowledge required are rather basic. Candidates are expected to identify and allocate the type of expenses relevant to productions of oil palm, kernel, and common expenses. Simple calculations are required for depreciation charge, taxation, and transfer to reserves. It is disheartening to note a large number of candidates were unable to answer this question correctly despite regular setting in the recent examinations. The required knowledge is rather basic, technically competent accounting staff in the estate should possess adequate skills to handle such a question. Perhaps, candidates (whose core function is not in book-keeping/accounting) might want to interact more with their accounting counterparts in their estates.

The following tips on examination techniques may be helpful for candidates preparing for the Book-keeping and Accounting paper:-

• Read the instructions carefully – understand what the examiner is asking.
• Plan your time before you start – your examination is of 3 hours duration, i.e. in 180 minutes you can score a maximum of 100 marks, which works out to be 1.8 minutes per mark. For a 20 marks question, you should not spend more than 36 minutes on it (including reading time).
• Tackle the easiest questions first.
• Finish off answering each question when your time allocation for the question is up.
• Hand in all your workings.
• Do remember to be neat, also include all proper headings, dates, sub-totals, etc. A lot of marks can be lost here.
• Only answer as many questions as you are asked to tackle by the examiner. Extra answers will not normally be marked and certainly won’t get credit.
• Underline the key words in each question to ensure that you answer the question set, and not the question you wrongly take it to be.
• Never write out of text of essay questions.

Notwithstanding the understanding of examination techniques, it will not take you very far unless you have prepared adequately and used the correct preparation techniques:-

• Always use up-to-date texts.
• Learn from those who are qualified in the subject matter and discuss with those who are practicing the skills of book-keeping and accounting.
• If time permits, always take up a course which allows for interaction with your tutors or fellow students.
• Learn the meaning of each new term and be able to differentiate those terms which appear similar.
• Need for practice – you should also try to find the time to answer as many exercises as possible especially actual past years questions.

There is no better way to learn how to answer an examination question than to look at past examination with illustrated answer. For this purpose, I append below 2 questions (with some modifications) which appeared in past ISP Book-keeping and Accounting paper.

Please click on the example you need:-

EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 2


Examiner’s Remarks

There isn’t any technicality in this straight forward question. Over the past few sittings, I noted there were a number of candidates who demonstrated they have no clue of how to answer such a simple question notwithstanding such question had appeared repeatedly in every sitting in the last few years. It appears that no effort to at least discuss with lecturers, course leaders, course mates, or colleagues. This gives an impression that candidates might not be serious enough in preparing for their LISP or AISP examinations, especially for the book-keeping and accounting paper.

It is common practices for candidates of other professional examinations to attempt past year questions in their preparations, revisions, or even mock examinations before the “real” examinations. This appears lacking in the case of ISP candidates. Although I do understand there is generally inadequate availability of lectures or revision courses or workshop specifically directed at preparing limited number of candidates for the ISP Book-keeping and Accounting examination, if candidates were to attend lectures or revisions for other examinations such as the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) level 2, Pitman Advanced Accounting, or foundation courses of other professional bodies, ISP candidates would have no difficulty in passing this paper, because ISP syllabus are generally narrower in scope and lower in terms of required knowledge.

I have the opportunity to interact with a number of candidates not too long ago, their responses were generally negative. From their feedback which appeared unanimous, they hoped one day the paper could become easier. They seemed to share the same view that as planters their knowledge in book-keeping and accounting are less important than their knowledge in planting.

Let us look at a situation whereby an Estate Manager does not understand the activities and role of book-keeping and accounting. He leaves such a task entirely to the estate Chief Clerk who happens to be in need of money due to his personal difficulties. Knowing the Estate Manager has no clue what book-keeping and accounting is all about, he starts to embezzle the estate’s cash to settle his personal liabilities. In such a situation, would the Estate Manager be able to give excuse that he is not accountable for the embezzlement in the estate under his control?

I hope the examples and suggested answers provide candidates with insight of what are expected of them in answering questions set in the ISP Book-keeping and Accounting paper. My remarks could throw some lights on how a candidate could prepare for the ISP Book-keeping and Accounting paper. A golden rule, there is no easy way for passing the paper unless it is supported by continuous preparation, revision and attempting the past years questions. Attend workshop if there is such an opportunity. Perhaps, the TEC or ISP Secretariat might want to look into more avenues to assist candidates of ISP Book-keeping and Accounting examinations.

Comments on the Performances of October 2009 Book-keeping and Accounting Examination

I did not comment on the March 2009 examination because that examination was attempted by just a handful of candidates.  All of them did very badly.  It was disappointing to note that they repeated all the bad factors highlighted in my earlier 3 articles.  I shall not elaborate them further but would suggest serious candidates to visit the ISP website to familiarize themselves to avoid repeating the mistakes of the unsuccessful candidates.

This is my fourth article on the above subject matter. 

The objective of providing this feedback is to share my observations with future candidates on the level of knowledge expected and also the levels of substances and quality of answers.  I hope all candidates attempting future Book-keeping and Accounting examinations are taking their preparations seriously and will make reference to these materials as part of their examinations preparation processes.

Twenty-two candidates signed up for the October 2009 Book-Keeping and Accounting paper. Thirteen of them attempted.  Two postponed and seven did not turn up on the day of examination.  The “No Show” rate at 41% was marginally higher than the corresponding period in 2008. 

Five out of thirteen candidates passed.  This is the first time a candidate scored a Distinction (Grade A) followed by two candidates who scored a Credit (Grade B).  One of the Grade B candidates could have achieved Grade A had he/she performed a little better in Section B – Questions 3 and 4.

As illustrated above, the relatively badly attempted questions are the MCQ of Section A and Questions 3 of Section B.  The technique of answering MCQ has been dealt with in my SECOND article.  Candidates are strongly urged to familiarize themselves with those techniques.

MCQ requires a broader base of knowledge.  Candidates who did not study broadly will not do well in MCQ because they will not know which is the most appropriate answer even if they have learned the skill of elimination.  The poorly prepared candidates are likely to eliminate the wrong choices.

Section B Question 1 was actually a gift question testing the basic double entries.  The question asked for three-column ledger accounts and specifically highlighted in bold that T-Account format will not gain any mark. 

I noted there are a number of candidates used T-Account to answer this question.  For the benefit of those candidates who do not follow a proper course of study, here is a skeletal extract of the three-column ledger:-

 1(a)        BENNY PLANTATION ADVISORY SERVICES COMPANY – GENERAL LEDGER

Please note the above are not the complete answer but merely an illustration of the three-column ledger format.

Section B Question 2 dealt with Club Accounting.  A popular question which was tested quite regularly.  If candidates have used the past year questions for their revision, they would have no problem in getting the correct answers.

Section B Question 3 is another gift question.  Section (a) tested on the Bank Reconciliation and Section (b) listed the ratios to be calculated.  It is disappointing to note that a large number of candidates not even know the equations for the required ratios.  The poor knowledge in this area clearly demonstrated candidates do not prepare themselves well before attempting examination.  Future candidates are urged to ensure they learn the necessary basic principles of bookkeeping and accounting. In the Oct 2008 comments, I have actually hinted that candidates may be asked to interpret financial information instead of being tested on number crunching.

Section B Question 4 is a regular question which has appeared repeatedly in every examination.  I have also provided a suggested answer in my earlier report.  It will be pointless if I continue to provide model answer if candidates do not care to read and understand how to answer the question.

Examiner’s Observations and Proposal

Although 3 candidates have achieved unprecedented outstanding performances vis-à-vis the previous examinations, the passing rate of 5 out of 13 candidates accounts for only about 38%.  This is definitely low and a lot need to be done to achieve better performances. 

Candidates still demonstrated apparent weaknesses in answering narrative questions.  Please take note of the basic concepts, definitions and computations in the explanatory notes.  These are rudimentary subject matters, which future candidates are advised to be mindful of in their preparation for the Book-keeping and Accounting examinations.

ISP or plantation groups may need to consider organizing workshops directed at upgrading the basic knowledge and examination techniques of their employees.  Book-keeping and accounting knowledge are vital tools for operational controls. 

Workshops, if any, must be organized in good time in order to allow candidates enough time to assimilate and digest the knowledge gained from attending workshop.  Most importantly, course leaders must be well qualified and experienced in imparting knowledge to non-financial attendees.

For those candidates whose marks are below 45 marks, ISP currently bars them from attempting the next examination.  It is my opinion that this might break their momentum and disrupt their examination preparation.  If I may suggest, I propose ISP to allow such candidates to continue attempting their examinations.  If they continuously achieved poor results for three consecutive or cumulative attempts, then they should be barred and their candidatures should be reviewed and a penalty in term of higher examination fee should be imposed to ensure they are still seriously interested in the ISP examinations. 

Comments on the Performances of October 2009 Bahasa Malaysia Examination

Bahasa calon ini sungguh memuaskan, walaupun terdapat beberapa kesalahan tatabahasa. Mungkin calon ini tidak terdedah kepada perkembangan bahasa terkini.

Gaya bahasanya menarik hingga sanggup meluahkan pemikirannya dengan jelas.

Please click on the example you need:-

EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 2


Comments by English Examiner on the Revaluation of the October 2007 examination

• Marking and grading has been on the evaluation of candidates understanding of the language rather than grammar.
• Some failures are due to poor time management i.e. candidates spent too much time on two or more questions and did not have time to answer other question.
• Some candidates did not follow the instructions e.g. the essays contained fewer than the minimum words required, while the précis exceeded the minimum number of words allowed.
• Candidates must read and understand the question before rushing to provide the answers.
• A number of candidates intermixed the answers when compiling and stapling the answer scripts.
• A couple of candidates forgot to fill in their candidate number in the answer sheets.
• The notice of TES has been drawn to very identical essays by a number of candidates (word-for-word). The TES decision is that even if the candidates had read an essay in a book, publication etc, and memorised it, the essay submitted is a plagiarized one (someone else’s thoughts/writings passed of as ones own) and is unacceptable.

1. Read the questions carefully. Start answering the questions which appears to be easiest for you.
2. Make sure that you allocate sufficient time to answer the required number of questions.
3. Make sure that your hand writing is neat and readable.

Attachments:

application form(lisp).doc	[ ]	27 Kb	6/8/2010 00:48
exemption form.doc	[ ]	45 Kb	6/8/2010 00:49
Revised LISP-AISP Exam Timetable 2010.doc	[ ]	35 Kb	6/8/2010 00:49