business

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Technique
STUDENT GUIDE
AQA GCSE BUSINESS (9-1)
EXAM ESSENTIALS
A reminder about the papers:
4 You will sit two papers
4 Paper 1 assesses “Influences of operations and HRM on business activity” – 3.1
Business in the Real World; 3.2 Influences on Business; 3.3 Business Operations & 3.4
Human Resources
4 Paper 2 assesses “Influences of marketing and finance on business activity” - 3.1
Business in the Real World; 3.2 Influences on Business; 3.5 Marketing; 3.6 Finance
4 Each paper is worth 50% of the total GCSE marks
4 Each paper is 1 ¾ hours long and is worth 90 marks; this equates to a minute a mark
and 15 minutes reading time of the “Items”
4 Both papers are very similar in structure and will have three sections:
Section A No extract 20 marks
Section B Case study: Item A and Item B Approx 34 marks
Section A Case study: Item C, D and possibly E Approx 36 marks

4 Questions will consist of a mixture of MCQs, calculation, short answer and extended
response
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student guide

Top tips for success in the exam:

A reminder about the papers:

4 Manage your time effectively – roughly a minute a mark! This gives you 15 minutes to read
each question carefully, plan your response – especially the 12 mark response and read
each Item carefully
4 One way of managing your time easily is to break up the paper into chunks of time and think:
4 after 20 mins, I should have finished all of Section A where there is no Item or case
4 after 60 mins or 1 hour, as well as Section A, I should have now finished all of Section B
that relates to the first case study i.e. Items A and B; this will give you 40 minutes to
complete section B
4 which leaves the last 45 minutes to complete Section C that relates to the second case
study i.e. Items C, D and possibly E; this will take you to the end of the paper
4 Read every question twice – just to ensure that you answer the question that is specifically
asked and not a different question!
4 Don’t forget that Section A is not looking for any context; it is important to look at the
marks available for each question and ensure a full enough explanation is given in each
answer every time
4 Read the case studies or “Items” very carefully in Section B and Section C. Remember the
case studies will be split into different Items. To move up the mark scheme, answers must
be written in context; context can only be awarded if you have read the case
study, so take your time reading each Item to ensure that you fully understand it!
4 Remember...mentioning the name of the business or something that is found in the
question is not enough for context to be awarded - your answer has to be embedded in
the case! This means talk about the business in your answer, but don’t just copy bits from
the case word for word; use the case study or Item to help support your answer!
4 Remember in “Analyse”, “Recommend” and “Analyse/Evaluate” questions – you need
to include points that are fully analysed to reach the highest levels; this involves using
connectives and explaining the effect/impact of your point in context
4 Always finish the paper
4 Never leave a question blank
4 Learn all the content and the key terms in the specification carefully – you need to
therefore use the specification as part of your revision!
4 Learn all the formulae – formulae will not be given in the exam!
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type of questions
Remember the style of both exam papers will be very similar

“MCQs”, “Complete the table” and “Identify” – 1 mark questions

• Points based marking – 1 mark per relevant point
• MCQs will be found in Section A only
• “Complete the table” found in any section (more than one figure may be required, which would mean the
response would be worth more than one mark)
• “Identify” can appear in any section, but usually Sections A and B
Command word Question example How to answer?

MCQ 01.5 Which of the following MCQs:

is an example of an 4 Select the correct response and ensure the circle is
industry in the primary completely filled in alongside the appropriate answer
sector
4 If you change your mind, cross out the original
answer and completely fill in the circle next to the
A Distribution
answer you now wish to choose
B Construction
4 If you do change your mind, refer back to the
C Mining
instructions at the start of Section A to ensure you
D Tourism are following them precisely; the key is to make
sure your answer is clear

Complete “Complete the table and Complete the table:

the table calculate the increase in 4 Ensure the figures are clear and are entered in the
total costs of producing appropriate box(es) in the table
one Portakabin next year 4 Read the question carefully; if two figures are
compared to this year” asked for then ensure that two figures are included
4 Be prepared: this type of question may be part of a
hybrid question i.e. the question may involve a
further calculation to reach full marks; in the
question given (worth 3 marks) two marks would
be awarded for completing the table and showing
the correct method of the calculation; a further
mark would be awarded for the final calculation of
the increase in total costs

Identify “Identify one benefit and one 4 One or two points should be clearly stated or
drawback to a business of identified, dependent on the question
using just in time production” 4 Don’t forget context in Sections B and C; if the point
OR would not be appropriate to the business in the Item,
the mark(s) will not be awarded
“Identify two benefits to the
Shepherd Group Ltd of being 4 Don’t over answer – a lengthy paragraph will just
a private limited company” waste time and gain no extra marks; a few words will
usually be sufficient to gain all the mark(s) available
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type of question

“Calculate” – 2/3/5 mark questions

• Points based marking
• “Calculate” questions can be found in any section of the exam paper and vary in terms of the marks allocated
• Read each question carefully in terms of what is exactly required to gain full marks
Command word Question example How to answer?

Calculate – “Using Figure 1, calculate the 4 Best practice would be to write the formula in
2 marks total revenue made by the cafe order to focus your mind on the calculation required;
between weeks 1-4, assuming there are however no marks available for the formula
its average selling price is £5. in this type of low marked calculation question
Show your workings” 4 Show all LABELLED workings to the calculation;
ensure the final answer can be clearly seen by the
Calculate – “Employees receive a 10% examiner
3 marks discount on their shopping at 4 Remember to include £ signs or units etc
Tesco stores. Calculate the appropriate to the question set
weekly benefit to an employee 4 Always attempt a calculation question; work
who on average spends £14 methodically to reach the answer; but don’t spend
each weekday and £22 on too long on a calculate question to the detriment
each day at the weekend” of other questions

Calculate – “Calculate the average rate of 4 Read the question carefully; it asks for the formula,
5 marks return to easyJet of buying the all of the workings given plus the answer given
5 airplanes. State the formula to two decimal places; ensure that all of these
used and show all your requirements are met
workings. Give your answer to 4 Start off by writing the formula; there is usually a
two decimal places” space provided in the exam paper where the
formula can be written
4 Label all workings clearly; it is a huge risk if all
workings are completed on the calculator without
being written on the actual exam paper; zero
marks will be awarded if the final answer is
incorrect, no formula or workings are shown
4 Ensure the final answer is written clearly and the
correct units, £ etc is given
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type of question

Command word Question example How to answer?

Calculate – 4 Ensure that 2 decimal places are included in your

5 marks response; practise rounding!
Cont. 4 Remember, even if the correct answer is given, but
the formula is missed, full marks will not be
awarded, as the question clearly requires that the
formula is stated, which is worth one mark
4 Do not spend too long on a calculation question to
the detriment of the rest of the paper, as it is vital
that all questions are attempted
4 But, always attempt every calculation question;
even if the final answer stated is incorrect, marks
can still be allocated for workings!
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type of question

“Explain” – 2/3/4 mark questions

• “Explain” questions can be found in any section of the exam paper and will vary in marks
• 2-3 mark “Explain” questions will be examined via a points based system
• Most “Explain” questions found in Sections B and C will be marked via a levels of response grid

Command word Question example How to answer?

Explain – “Explain one personal 4 Include only one point that answers the specific
2 marks characteristic of a successful question set
entrepreneur” 4 The question usually asks for just one point, but
OR not always; be guided by the number of marks
“Explain how being ethical that are available to ensure that you answer the
may benefit a business” question in the most appropriate way i.e. 2 marks
– point with a short explanation
4 No context is required for a 2 mark Section A
“Explain” question; however, if this type of question
is found in Sections B or C, then context should be
given
4 The point given should be explained using one
connective such as “this means that...”
“therefore…” “as a result…” “in turn …”
E.g. An entrepreneur will be a calculated risk-taker (1),
as he/she will risk his/her own money investing and
setting up a business venture. If the business idea is
successful, the entrepreneur will gain the rewards. (1)

Explain – “Explain one way that 4 Include only one point that answers the specific
3 marks introducing lean production question set
techniques could decrease the 4 No context is required if this type of question is
costs of a business” found in Section A
4 The point given should be explained using two
steps in the chain of argument; if it is found in
Sections B or C, then the answer should be clearly
linked to the Item or written in context
4 Using connectives x 2 such as “this means that...”
“therefore…” “as a result…” “in turn …” will help
you to achieve full marks in this type of question
E.g. If a business uses just in time stock control (1)
it will reduce the amount of space that is required
to hold stock (1). This means the business will incur
lower costs for warehousing and insurance that would
be associated with holding excess or buffer stock (1).
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type of question

Command word Question example How to answer?

Explain – “Explain two benefits to 4 Often found in Section A of the paper; therefore no
4 marks a business of training its context would be required
workforce.” 4 Follow the same principles as the 2 mark “Explain”
question i.e. give a relevant point, followed by a
short explanation of that point with one connective;
this must be done twice!
4 The points must be distinct from each other and
remember two points must be given

Explain – “Explain why easyJet has 4 If “Explain” questions are found in Sections B and/
4 marks chosen to open easyHotels in or C remember context is vital in order to gain the
many city centres, with very top level of the mark scheme
cheap prices starting from 4 Questions usually ask for one or a benefit, effect,
£19 a night” drawback etc
4 Include one point, ideally taken from the Item
and explain this point in a chain of argument
using connectives x 3 e.g. “this means that...”
“therefore…” “as a result…” “in turn …”
4 The key to success is answering the specific
question set, ensuring that the explanation is
relevant to the business in the case study
4 If the question does not specifically ask for one
point, two can be given, but more than 2 points
should never be given in a response

E.g. The use of the £19 means that the hotels will
attract publicity, (L1) which will result in the rooms
being continually booked, as they will become well
known. (L1) This will mean that the investment in
building the hotels can be paid back quickly, (L2)
because of the high levels of revenue easyHotel will
receive due to the high occupancy rates. (L2)
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type of question

“Analyse” – 6 mark questions

• “Analyse” questions will appear in Sections B and C
• A levels of response marking grid with be used containing 3 levels
• The examiner is looking for detailed or “full” analysis to reach Level 3 of the mark scheme
• Context is extremely important; all 3 levels of the mark scheme refer to context
• A variety of “Analyse” questions will be found in the exams e.g. “Analyse how effective…”, “Analyse one
benefit…”, “Analyse the drawback…”
• Despite the question, only ONE POINT is required. NEVER INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE POINT IN A RESPONSE
otherwise the answer given may become a series of listed points, which will not demonstrate the skills of
analysis and NOT answer the question
Command word Question example How to answer?

Analyse “Analyse one effect of Trendy 4 No definition

Teens using e-commerce 4 Maximum ONE point explained with at least 3-4
and m-commerce to sell its steps in the chain of argument
jumpers”
4 The point should be taken from the Item, to
OR ensure the answer is in context from the start
“EasyJet sells its tickets 4 The chain of argument should refer to the context
through the internet direct throughout and demonstrate a logical chain of
to the customer, rather than argument, with no missed “steps”
using traditional distribution
methods through travel E.g. Using e-commerce and m-commerce will mean
agents. Analyse the benefit to that Trendy Teens’ teenage customers will be able
easyJet of selling direct to its to view the products easily, as this age group use
customers.” mobile phones and technology a great deal. (Level 1)
This means that Trendy Teens’ products will be seen
by a huge number of their target market, who would
be keen to wear the firm’s jumpers due to the recent
publicity involving a pop group. (Level 2) This would
increase the firm’s sales dramatically, as they would
be able to access and buy these products regardless
of where they lived. This would therefore increase
Trendy Teens’ revenue and, if they could control
the costs of distribution and other costs, also its
profitability. (Level 3)
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type of question

“Recommend” or “Advise” – 9 mark questions

• “Recommend” or “Advise” questions will be found in both Section B and Section C
• “Recommend” or “Advise” questions sometimes involve two options, but not always
• Assesses application, analysis and evaluation; a judgement is therefore required
• Levels of response marking with 3 levels; the level that “best fits” the answer as a whole will be awarded
• If there are figures included in the question, ensure they are referred to and used within your response;
figures are included in the Item and the question for a reason – the best candidates will always use them!
Be aware AQA will increasingly use figures in the 9 mark question!
• The examiner is looking for:
• An answer that is written fully in context and shows accurate knowledge and understanding of
business concepts
• Detailed chains of argument across a maximum of two points . Figures should be manipulated by
conducting relevant calculations, such as %’s or % changes, to support your analysis/chain of argument(s)
• A clearly justified, thorough judgement that is answering the question set

Command word Question example How to answer?

Recommend “Amit and Chloe have noticed No definition
that sales of the style of Structure your answer as follows:
jumpers that sold very well
in the first two years are now Paragraph 1: Pro of first option explained with
connectives in CONTEXT
declining. They now have an
important decision to make: On one hand using product extension strategies would
be good because…..which means ….. and therefore
- Chloe believes that they Paragraph 2: Pro of second option explained with
should use product extension connectives in CONTEXT
strategies in order to sell their On the other hand launching a new range of jumpers
remaining stock of jumpers would be good because….. which means ….. and
therefore…
-Amit believes they should Paragraph 3: Conclusion
forget about the existing stock
and launch a new range of Overall I think:
jumpers as soon as possible. (w) – choose which one EITHER THE PRODUCT
EXTENSION STRATEGIES OR LAUNCHING A NEW
Recommend to Amit and Chloe RANGE OF JUMPERS
which would be the better (w) – why have you chosen that option. Use the
phrasing “Not only would it be good because …
option for them to take. Give
refer back to the +ve point you have referred to in
reasons for your advice” your earlier paragraph, but also it is good because
(additional evidence to support your judgement IN
CONTEXT)
(w) – why is it better than the alternative you have
rejected… (think about the situation of the business,
its finances, its aims)
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type of question

Command word Question example How to answer?

Recommend Remember to:

Cont. 4 Embed your answer in the Item throughout – this
is crucial!
4 Convince the examiner your judgement/choice is
correct for the business; write a nice, detailed
chunky paragraph here!

Recommend “Recommend whether Paragraph 1: Pro of the idea in the question explained
Portakabin should continue with connectives in context
to invest in health and safety On one hand continuing to invest in health and safety
training for its new and would be good for Portakabin because….. which
existing employees. Give means ….. and therefore
reasons for your advice.”
Paragraph 2: Con of the idea in the question
explained with connectives in context
On the other continuing to invest in health and safety
would not be good for Portakabin because….. which
means ….. and therefore

Paragraph 3: Conclusion
Overall I think:
(w) – make a decision whether it is a good idea or not
(w) – why have you chosen that option. Use the
phrasing “Not only would it be the best idea for
Portakabin because... refer back to the point you have
referred to in your earlier paragraph, but also it is
better because (additional evidence to support your
judgement IN CONTEXT)
(w) – why is it better than the alternative you have
rejected… (think about the situation of the business,
its finances, its aims)
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type of question

“Analyse and Evaluate” – 12 mark question

• There will be one 12 mark question in each paper found in Section C only; it will always be the last question
on the paper
• “Analyse and Evaluate” questions assess all the assessment objectives: knowledge & understanding,
application, analysis and evaluation
• The interdependent nature of business i.e. how different functional areas relate together is crucial to
the 12 mark question
• The question will always have two bullet points that need to form the basis of the argument in the first two
paragraphs of the answer
• Levels of response marking with 4 levels; the level that “best fits” the answer will be awarded
• The examiner is looking for:
• Accurate use of key terms; thorough knowledge and understanding of business which draws together
different functional areas of business
• An answer that relates to the Item
• Detailed chains of argument in context. There should be at least 3-4 steps in the chain of argument
• A detailed, valid and well supported judgement that is answering the question set and weighs up the
information provided in the Item i.e. an answer that compares the relative importance of both points or
brings in another functional area

Command word Question example How to answer?

Evaluate “Analyse the impact on 4 Start your answer with one short definition from
easyJet’s performance of the question, but this must be brief! Knowledge
recent external events. You and understanding can be demonstrated
should consider: throughout the answer, as it progresses
Structure your answer as follows:
- Promotional policies
- Economic considerations Paragraph 1: Argument referring to the first bullet point
i.e. how easyJet’s performance has been impacted
You must evaluate which of by promotion – explained using connectives and key
these areas will have the terms. Links should be made to other functional areas
biggest impact. Use evidence explicitly
to support your answer” On one hand easyJet’s performance has been
impacted by its promotional policies because…..
(Point taken from the Item) which means …. and
therefore the impact on the functional area of ….
will be …. resulting in…. and therefore… and as
a consequence…
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type of question

Command word Question example How to answer?

Evaluate Paragraph 2: Argument referring to the second bullet

Cont. point i.e. how easyJet’s performance has been
impacted by economic considerations – explained
using connectives and key terms. Links should be
made to other functional areas explicitly
On the other hand easyJet’s performance has been
impacted by economic factors such as…. because
(Point 2 taken from the Item) which means that….
and therefore the impact on the functional area of …..
will be …. which in turn means …. and therefore….

Paragraph 3: Conclusion - AJIM

Overall I think:
(A) – Answer the question; avoid sitting on the fence
– decide on the area which you believe will be most
impacted
(J) – Justify this decision; refer back to your prior
argument and bring in additional evidence to support
your judgement by linking different functional areas
together and comparing the relative importance of one
area against the other. This is absolutely crucial
in order to achieve level 4 in your response
(I) – “It depends” on factor; does your judgement
depend upon anything? If so include it here and
explain why; alternatively will the judgement differ in
the short-term/long-term in relation to the area that
will be most impacted – again if you think so, explain
why; remember to try and integrate/link different
functional areas together
(M) - Explain the most important reason why you have
come to this judgement; this may include reasons
why an alternative argument has been rejected
(think carefully about the situation of the business,
its finances, its aims when making this decision);
ensure the data in the case is weighed up in terms
of importance and reference is continually made to
different functional areas
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type of question

Command word Question example How to answer?

Evaluate Remember to:

Cont. 4 Embed your answer in the context throughout
4 Convince the examiner your judgement/choice is
correct for the business; write a nice, detailed chunky
conclusion clearly answering the question set
4 Ensure you weigh up the data in the Item in terms
of which area will be impacted the most and link
together different functional areas; ideally refer to
and make links to more than the two areas that are
listed in the question