GST tricky, but students sail through HSC retail exam questions

Thursday’s HSC retail exam has been given the tick of approval by students and experts, who said it covered a broad range of skills learnt in real-world job placements.

Students sitting this year’s HSC Retail Services exam might have found it tough when it came to calculating GST, but said doing the course and the associated work experience gave them a taste of the world outside of the school gates.

Birrong Girls High school student Hajer Al-Mosawi, 17, said a question about the goods and services tax was tricky, but the exam overall was easy.

“I think the most challenging questions were the mathematical questions, only because that wasn’t my strong suit,” she said.

She was persuaded by her teacher to do the subject because she would leave school with a Certificate III in Retail as well as her HSC qualification.

“That’s what made me want to pick the subject,” she said.

Hajer Al-Mosawi and Sarah Darwich. They have both just completed the Retail Services HSC exam. Picture: Richard Dobson

While she learnt about retail by hitting the books in class, the biggest lesson came from spending time at Bankstown Target throughout the year as part of her work experience.

“I gained so many fundamental skills which really showed me how the workplace really is. I don’t have a retail job so it showed me how the real world is outside of school,” she said.

Her classmate Sarah Darwich, 18, said Thursday’s exam compared well to past papers in the subject.

“This one was very similar to previous ones, I finished the whole exam and had time to check everything,” she said.

She said what she learnt about customer complaints in school helped her at the local pharmacy where she was sent for work experience.

“I have learnt to approach them with patience, remain calm, and actively listen to what the customer is complaining about,” she said.

“If I can’t help them personally I would escalate the problem to my manager.”

In one exam question, students were asked how to “make contact” with a customer. Four possible choices included: A Good morning, I like the outfit you’re wearing; B. Good morning, we have just received new summer stock today. C. Good morning, just to let you know, we now use recycled bags. D. Good morning, can I take that summer dress to the fitting room for you?

The Retail Doctor consultant Brian Walker gave the paper a tick of approval for its focus on customer service, but with a broad range of skills.

“It is a mix between customer service and what happens in the back room and asking about social media,” he said.

“It is practical, grassroots retail.

“Retailing is a people business and good retailers have good people skills in leadership, negotiation, and services where it is required. Generally people in retail have pretty good analytical skills because there are a lot of numbers.

He said while retailer workers had always required strong visual skills, they also needed to be savvy when it comes to social media.