Is a final exam one of those things you do just because that’s what everyone else is doing and because you’ve always done it? What if I told you, a project could be a better assessment of student learning?
Projects incorporate key concepts learned throughout the semester while having students use higher-order thinking to apply, create, or synthesize the information. In the business or marketing classroom, we expect our students to learn skills throughout the semester in addition to mastering content. Projects allow students to demonstrate mastery and apply these skills to new settings.
Do you feel like a test is the best way to assess mastery in your high school business or marketing course? If it’s not, it’s time to check out these final exam alternatives.
Multi-Unit Business Simulation
Your class will love applying course concepts to this service-based business simulation. This resource makes a perfect final project or final exam alternative. Students will complete 8 application-based tasks including selecting a business idea, designing a logo, creating a budget, describing the marketing mix, drafting an invoice, designing a flyer, applying proper email etiquette, utilizing ethical decision-making, and writing a brief job description.
With a wide variety of topics, this simulation is perfect for an Introduction to Business & Marketing, Business Essentials, or Entrepreneurship course.
Multi-Unit Marketing Simulation
Your Marketing class will love this engaging, indoor trampoline park-themed simulation! Students will demonstrate mastery of 10 key marketing concepts including business ownership, branding, color palette, logo, target market, features/ benefits, marketing mix, economic utilities, SWOT, and staffing.
Multi-Unit Entrepreneurship Simulation
Your students will love the engaging, DIY craft or hobby kit theme of this simulation. Students will demonstrate mastery of 18 key entrepreneurship concepts including entrepreneurial characteristics, idea generation techniques, target market, mission and vision statement, business ownership, organizational structure, competitor analysis, marketing mix, digital marketing, branding, logo, protecting ideas and inventions, start-up expenses, operating expenses, funding sources, job description, lean canvas model, and the business pitch.
Your students need a working knowledge of Entrepreneurship concepts to complete this simulation but this simulation is editable so you can customize it to fit your course.
Personal Finance Simulation
This Personal Finance Simulation contains 10 personal financial tasks to demonstrate course knowledge. This project serves as a portfolio and covers careers, SMART goals, budgeting, banking, investing, retirement, credit cards, student loans, renting vs. purchasing a home, and insurance, plus includes a reflection section.
This is a longer project that takes a bit of time to complete. If you’re looking for a shorter project for your Personal Finance final assessment, check out the Generational Financial Habits Project. This project allows students to choose the aspects of personal finance they’ll cover while intertwining a research component.
Toy Brand Promotional Mix
This is one of my favorites because I love the creativity involved. Your students will explore the components of the promotional mix in a digital, guided project. Students get creative with their own toy brand and apply the marketing mix and promotional mix to their creation.
Students will identify core offerings, key competitors, and the target market, create product designs, discuss product design features, specify age recommendations, create a brand logo, discuss placement, define pricing, select advertising medias, create a social media graphic, describe recommended sales promotions, write a live chat script, write 3 mobile messages, plan content for an email, brainstorm the premise of an app, and answer other application-based questions.
This project is perfect for Advertising and Public Relations, Marketing I, or Marketing II, among others.
Other Ideas
If you’ve got the time, get creative with your final exam alternative. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
- Open-ended writing prompt
- Children’s book covering a key course concept
- Create your own board game
- Infographic course cheat sheet
Do you use a final exam alternative? I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment with your ideas!
Business Girl Education 