Part (a) asked candidates to distinguish between the different types of synergy and to identify the sources of synergy in the scenario that was given. Although many answers did not clearly link the two disparate parts of the requirement, most answers provided a reasonably good account of synergy sources and identified the types of synergy.

Thus the performance for this part was generally good. Poorer answers tended to repeat the points made and/or ‘identified’ rather than ‘distinguished’ and ‘discussed’. Candidates need to be aware what the requirements are asking for.

It would seem that many candidates were drawn to question two because of part (a) and then found that they had trouble doing parts (b) and (c).

This is poor exam technique. The reading time at the beginning of the exam should be used wisely to ensure that all parts of the question can be answered reasonably well.

It was disappointing that parts (b) and (c) were not attempted well, given that similar areas had been tested in recent examinations..

Candidates are strongly advised and urged to study the entire P4 syllabus. Just because a topic has been tested recently does not preclude it from being tested again.