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Q. What do I have to study for the Midterm and what will it look like?
A. The midterm will have four questions:
One is a media-article based question, which could be either on Dupont Analysis or on Capital Structure and Competitive Strategy.
One is a quantitative question directed towards the computation of Modified Dupont Analysis numbers.
One is a set of essay questions on capital structure and perverse incentives.
One is a computational question directed towards understanding the effect of leverage on perverse shareholder incentives using numerical examples.
Q. What will the final exam cover?
Ans. The final exam will have four or five questions from the following:
One media article with questions.
One question on the informational effect of security issuance.
One set of questions on the presentations your teams made. (I may not include all four presentations.)
One question on Prof. Nish’s presentation and issues raised by that presentation.
Short questions on issues relating to capital structure/hedging and operating decisions.
Q. Are the exams open book or closed
book?
Ans. The midterm and the final exams are closed book; however, you can
bring in one 8.5x11 sheet, which can contain only formulas. I am very strict about this. You may write
on both sides of the paper. However, you may not staple several
sheets of paper together. Going through your notes probably
cannot make up for the lack of a proper understanding of the material. If you have anything proscribed on your sheet, I will take away the sheet altogether and I may penalize you, as well.
Q. Can I use a calculator during the exams?
Ans: Yes, you may use a calculator during the exams. However, for every problem, you will have to write out the formula that you are using both in symbolic form, as well as with the numbers filled in. If you have done this, you don't have to show your computations. You can simply copy your numerical answer from your calculator. However, if you have not provided the formula in the answer, you may receive no points at all!
The use of computers, PDAs, graphing calculators, phone calculators or other instruments that can communicate and/or are able to store alphanumeric information is strictly prohibited during exams (it is your responsibility to verify whether your calculator is allowed, otherwise you will end up in an exam without a calculator).
Q. Can I do extra work to improve my
grade?
Ans. Sorry. I believe that in order to be fair, I have to give every student
the same opportunity to do extra work. Obviously, this is not feasible.
However, on occasion I will allow you to resubmit an assignment for grade
improvement.
Q. What can I do to check my
understanding of the material and to prepare for the exams?
Ans. Here are some of the things you can do:
- To prepare for the Quantitative problems part of the exam, you can do the quantitative problems from the end of each chapter, as well as from the Additional Questions on Blackboard plus the problems on Connect.
- For the media article part of the exam, you can read current newspaper and magazine articles on relevant topics
and make up your own questions and articles. The Discussion Group on Blackboard will also be useful, as will the occasional discussions in class based on media articles. You should try to answer the questions at the end of media
articles that are posted online.
- You should read the chapter and try to answer the questions posed on the web under Important Terms and Concepts.
- You can make an appointment to talk to me.
Q. What do I have to study from
each chapter?
Ans. |
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