ACCA BT Leadership and management: practice questions with answers

Question 1

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need comes immediately after safety needs?

1. A Self-actualisation
2. B Physiological needs
3. C Esteem needs
4. D Social (love and belonging) needs

Show the answer

Answer: D. The order is physiological, safety, social, esteem, then self-actualisation.

Question 2

Which of the following is not one of Fayol's five functions of management?

1. A Commanding
2. B Controlling
3. C Co-ordinating
4. D Delegating

Show the answer

Answer: D. Fayol's functions are planning, organising, commanding, co-ordinating and controlling. Delegating is not one of them.

Question 3

What is the first stage of team development in Tuckman's model?

1. A Storming
2. B Norming
3. C Forming

Show the answer

Answer: C. The stages run forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning.

Question 4

Which of the following is a characteristic that distinguishes a group from a random collection of individuals?

1. A Its members happen to be in the same place at the same time
2. B Its members are all paid on the same salary scale
3. C Its members all have the same personality and attitudes
4. D Its members interact with each other, share a sense of identity and accept common norms of behaviour

Show the answer

Answer: D. A group is more than a collection of people. Its members interact, are aware of each other, see themselves as belonging to the group (a shared identity), work towards shared purposes and develop norms: shared standards of behaviour that members are expected to follow. Groups can be formal (set up by the organisation) or informal (formed by the members themselves).

Question 5

Which of the following is a benefit of an effective performance appraisal system to the organisation?

1. A It removes the need for managers to give staff feedback during the rest of the year
2. B It identifies training needs and staff with potential for promotion, which helps with succession planning
3. C It guarantees a pay rise for every employee who takes part
4. D It allows managers to discipline staff without following the disciplinary procedure

Show the answer

Answer: B. Effective appraisal benefits the organisation by identifying training and development needs, spotting potential for promotion (supporting succession planning), improving communication between managers and staff, and linking individual objectives to organisational goals. Employees benefit from clear objectives, feedback and recognition. It does not replace ongoing feedback, guarantee pay rises or replace disciplinary procedures.

Question 6

Which term describes the growth of an individual's abilities and potential to prepare them for future roles, rather than to improve performance in their current job?

1. A Training
2. B Education
3. C Development

Show the answer

Answer: C. Training is planned learning of the specific skills needed for a current job. Development is the broader growth of a person's abilities and potential for future roles. Education is the acquisition of general knowledge and understanding, usually in formal institutions.