Which option survives the panel’s checks?
A finance lead and an engineer ask Rae to defend an AI-drafted comparison.
The question
Rae interviews at fictional Alder Services. The draft calls option A cheaper and says it meets the export requirement. The draft includes no export test. AI assistance is allowed for this exercise. Rae must be able to explain every claim.
| Monthly cost | |
|---|---|
| Option A | 2400 |
| Option B | 3000 |
The table shows recurring charges in dollars.
Each export must include the actor and timestamp. The actor identifies who took the action.
“Choose what you would say to the panel.”
Not saved by this site. Your browser may restore text when you navigate back.
A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: What needs checking?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Separate the price claim from the export claim
The strong move. The draft makes two claims. The packet supplies only part of the evidence needed.
Treat the draft as proof of both claims
Tempting, but it misses something. The draft supplies no export test or full cost evidence.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I can compare the stated recurring prices. I still need any other charges and a test of both required export fields.”
Why it works: The draft makes two claims. The packet supplies only part of the evidence needed.
Step 2: What do recurring costs show?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Compare the same three months
The strong move. Both options use the same period and cost basis.
Recommend A on the monthly price alone
Tempting, but it misses something. A lower recurring charge does not establish full cost or eligibility.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Over three months, A costs $7,200 and B costs $9,000 in recurring charges. That comparison does not settle the export requirement.”
Why it works: Both options use the same period and cost basis.
Step 3: What should finance hear now?
The finance lead supplies a $1,800 one-time connector fee for A. The fee is incurred within these three months.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Correct the comparison to equal cost
The strong move. The one-time charge belongs in the stated comparison period.
Keep calling A cheaper because its monthly charge is lower
Tempting, but it misses something. The required connector changes the total cost in this period.
See how a strong candidate says it
“A adds a $1,800 connector fee in this period. The total is $9,000 for each option.”
Why it works: The one-time charge belongs in the stated comparison period.
Step 4: Which option meets the requirement?
The engineer shares the export results. A omits the actor. B retains both actor and timestamp.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Prefer B on the supplied cost and test
The strong move. The required export field changes the choice at equal cost.
Treat the options as interchangeable because the prices tie
Tempting, but it misses something. A fails the stated export requirement.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Prefer B on the evidence we have. The costs tie, and B includes the actor and timestamp. A omits the actor.”
Why it works: The required export field changes the choice at equal cost.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Prefer B on the supplied comparison.
- Because
- Both cost $9,000 and only B meets the stated export requirement.
- What would change it
- A passing export test for A or a new cost would justify a fresh comparison.
Common traps
- A recurring charge is only one part of the cost.
- A draft claim needs evidence.
Check your answer
- I identified what needed checking.
- I used one period for both costs.
- I included the connector fee.
- I explained the requirement that changed the decision.
Last reviewed Nov 10, 2026