Tips to solve Case Studies in International Finance

BY BMS TEAM+ ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011 IN EXAM FUNDAS

Mumbai University has adopted Case Study based Paper pattern in International
Finance for BMS.
The case study has been asked for 16 marks in Section I compulsory always.
Case study marks may vary from 14 to 18. Or may be they may put two small case
studies for 8 or 9 marks each.
There had been 3 types of Case study observed in the University Papers so far-
1) Case study on Balance of Payments
2) Compiled/Edited Case Study
3) Article from Leading Publications or Newspapers
1) Case study on Balance of Payments-
It is to check your accounting abilities . i.e. to remember all the heads of BoP and post
the entry on the appropriate (credit or debit) side. Alternatively, BoP data is given and
students are asked to calculate current account balance, trade balance, basic balance
etc.
Analytical case studies on BoP are also possible. In such case BoP tables may be given
and you would be required to interpret the trend, meaning, its indications for that
economy etc. The case study could be a mix of calculations and analysis.
Articles on BoP, published in the Economic Times, DNA money or on the websites of
RBI and IMF may also be put to you as case studies. Analytical questions may be
asked.
2) Compiled/Edited Case Study-
A real or hypothetical case is compiled in the form of a corporate story or a critics
article. A case would touch different topics of the syllabus, and relevant questions may
be asked. Questions may be numerical calculations and also analytical.
3) Article from Leading Publications or Newspapers-
A recent article from leading publications may be put to analysis and comments. Usually
an article that is relevant to one or many topics of the syllabus may be asked.
How to Prepare for Case Studies:-
There is no specific preparation required for case studies. You should know all the
topics of the syllabus very well. As the case study is compulsory and could be from any
topic of the syllabus, leaving any topic without studying it properly may be dangerous.
In addition to the syllabus study, you should regularly read The Economic Times,
Business Standard, DNA Money, and finance periodicals. Visiting RBI, IMF, World Bank
and European Central Bank websites periodically will also help students to great extent.
Case studies largely require application of knowledge and analytical abilities. Hence
reading relevant articles and discussing them with friends and teachers would further
the abilities of the students. Analyzing Indian BoP account of the current year and
comparing with BoP of the US, any African (crisis prone) country or Japan would be a
great idea and a fruitful exercise.