GCE Business Studies Ian Bickerstaff Chief Examiner

Aims To provide an overview of A2 Business Studies requirements To report on how individual assessment objectives are examined To disseminate good practice for teachers and students To highlight areas where improvement are needed

Specification at a Glance Unit AssessmentFormatDurationWeighting and Marks Availability AS 1:The Competitive Business 2 compulsory structured data responses (40 marks). 1 hour 30 minutes 50% of AS 25% of A Level January and Summer AS 2: Managing Business Resources 2 compulsory structured data responses (40 marks). 1 hour 30 minutes 50% of AS 25% of A Level January and Summer A2 1: Making Business Decisions 1 compulsory structured data response (80 marks). 2 hours50% of A2 25% of A Level January and Summer A2 2: The Changing Business Environment Unseen case study (80 marks). 2 hours50% of A2 25% of A Level January and Summer

AT211 (A2 1) 2 Page Stimulus Material 2 Hours 80 Marks 6 Questions assessing: AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specification content. AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding to problems and issues arising from both familiar and unfamiliar situations. AO3 Analyse problems, issues and situations. AO4 Evaluate, distinguish between and assess appropriateness of fact and opinion, and judge information from a variety of sources.

Question 1 (a) ContentApplication 1 mark correct formula1 mark correct calculation 0 marks no understandingNo marks incorrect calculation

Question 2 AO1 Knowledge and Understanding 2 Marks A02 Application 2 marks Level 22 marks Candidate demonstrates good understanding of how GBB Group could use PESTEL analysis to assess its current position 2 marks Candidate makes good application of the terms Level 11mark Candidate demonstrates some understanding of how GBB Group could use PESTEL analysis to assess its current position 1 mark Candidate attempts to make some application of the terms Level 00 marks Candidate demonstrates no understanding of how GBB Group could use PESTEL analysis to assess its current position 0 marks No attempt at application

Question 3 AO1 Knowledge and Understanding 2 Marks A02 Application 3 marks AO3 Analysis 4 marks AO4 Evaluation 6 marks Level 33 marks Candidate makes excellent application of the terms 4 marks Excellent analysis of the benefits and limitations of GBB Group using Ratio analysis to assess its performance 5-6 marks Candidate gives a sound evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a mature final judgement. QWC is excellent. Level 22 marks Candidate demonstrates good understanding of the benefits and limitations of GBB Group using Ratio analysis to assess its performance 2 marks Candidate makes good application of the terms 2-3 marks Good analysis of the benefits and limitations of GBB Group using Ratio analysis to assess its performance 3-4 marks Candidate gives a good evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a final judgement. QWC is good. Level 11 mark Candidate demonstrates some understanding of the benefits and limitations of GBB Group using Ratio analysis to assess its performance 1 mark Candidate attempts to make some application of the terms 1 mark Limited analysis of the benefits and limitations of GBB Group using Ratio analysis to assess its performance 1-2 marks Candidate provides limited evaluation of the arguments presented. QWC is limited. Level 00 marks Candidate demonstrates no understanding of the benefits and limitations of GBB Group using Ratio analysis to assess its performance 0 marks No attempt at application 0 marks No analysis 0 marks Candidate gives no evaluation of the arguments presented QWC is poor.

Question 4 AO1 Knowledge and Understanding 2 Marks A02 Application 3 marks AO3 Analysis 4 marks AO4 Evaluation 6 marks Level 33 marks Candidate makes excellent application of the terms 4 marks Excellent analysis of the usefulness of a mission statement for an organization such as The GBB Group 5-6 marks Candidate gives a sound evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a mature final judgement. QWC is excellent. Level 22 marks Candidate demonstrates good understanding of the usefulness of a mission statement for an organization such as The GBB Group 2 marks Candidate makes good application of the terms 2-3 marks Good analysis of the benefits and limitations of the usefulness of a mission statement for an organization such as The GBB Group 3-4 marks Candidate gives a good evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a final judgement. QWC is good. Level 11 mark Candidate demonstrates some understanding of the usefulness of a mission statement for an organization such as The GBB Group 1 mark Candidate attempts to make some application of the terms 1 mark Limited analysis the usefulness of a mission statement for an organization such as The GBB Group 1-2 marks Candidate provides limited evaluation of the arguments presented. QWC is limited. Level 00 marks Candidate demonstrates no understanding of the usefulness of a mission statement for an organization such as The GBB Group 0 marks No attempt at application 0 marks No analysis 0 marks Candidate gives no evaluation of the arguments presented QWC is poor.

Question 5 AO1 Knowledge and Understanding 4 Marks A02 Application 4 marks AO3 Analysis 5 marks AO4 Evaluation 6 marks Level 33-4 marks Candidate demonstrates mature knowledge / understanding of strategies that a company such as GBB group could use to deal with conflicting stakeholder objectives 3-4 marks Candidate makes excellent application of the terms 4 -5marks Excellent analysis of the usefulness of strategies that a company such as GBB group could use to deal with conflicting stakeholder objectives 5-6 marks Candidate gives a sound evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a mature final judgement. QWC is excellent. Level 22 marks Candidate demonstrates good understanding of strategies that a company such as GBB group could use to deal with conflicting stakeholder objectives 2 marks Candidate makes good application of the terms 2-3 marks Good analysis of the benefits and limitations of strategies that a company such as GBB group could use to deal with conflicting stakeholder objectives 3-4 marks Candidate gives a good evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a final judgement. QWC is good. Level 11 mark Candidate demonstrates some understanding of strategies that a company such as GBB group could use to deal with conflicting stakeholder objectives 1 mark Candidate attempts to make some application of the terms 1 mark Limited analysis of the usefulness of strategies that a company such as GBB group could use to deal with conflicting stakeholder objectives 1-2 marks Candidate provides limited evaluation of the arguments presented. QWC is limited. Level 00 marks Candidate demonstrates no understanding of strategies that a company such as GBB group could use to deal with conflicting stakeholder objectives 0 marks No attempt at application 0 marks No analysis 0 marks Candidate gives no evaluation of the arguments presented QWC is poor.

Question 6 AO1 Knowledge and Understanding 4 Marks A02 Application 5 marks AO3 Analysis 5 marks AO4 Evaluation 6 marks Level 33-4 marks Candidate demonstrates mature knowledge / understanding of growth as a business objective to an organization such as The GBB Group 4-5 marks Candidate makes excellent application of the terms 4-5 marks Excellent analysis of growth as a business objective to an organization such as The GBB Group 5-6 marks Candidate gives a sound evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a mature final judgement. QWC is excellent. Level 22 marks Candidate demonstrates good understanding of growth as a business objective to an organization such as The GBB Group 2-3 marks Candidate makes good application of the terms 2-3 marks Good analysis of the benefits and limitations of growth as a business objective to an organization such as The GBB Group 3-4 marks Candidate gives a good evaluation of the arguments presented and forms a final judgement. QWC is good. Level 11 mark Candidate demonstrates some understanding of growth as a business objective to an organization such as The GBB Group 1 mark Candidate attempts to make some application of the terms 1 mark Limited analysis of the usefulness of growth as a business objective to an organization such as The GBB Group 1-2 marks Candidate provides limited evaluation of the arguments presented. QWC is limited. Level 00 marks Candidate demonstrates no understanding of growth as a business objective to an organization such as The GBB Group 0 marks No attempt at application 0 marks No analysis 0 marks Candidate gives no evaluation of the arguments presented QWC is poor.

AT221 (A2 2) Unseen Report Paper 2 Hours 80 Marks Title – Direct from Stimulus Aim – Direct from Stimulus Introduction – Background Information and How the report is going to be tackled. Analysis and Discussion of Findings – Evaluations or Not ??? Conclusions and Recommendations – Summary and 3 Recommendations.

AT221 (A2 2) Report assessing: AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specification content. AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding to problems and issues arising from both familiar and unfamiliar situations. AO3 Analyse problems, issues and situations. AO4 Evaluate, distinguish between and assess appropriateness of fact and opinion, and judge information from a variety of sources.

AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts and issues relating to the report. Level 0[0]No knowledge and understanding Level 1[1]-[4] Little knowledge and understanding of theories, procedures and concepts relevant to the report is displayed, including use of correct format. Candidate makes limited use of specialist terms. Level 2[5]-[8] Some knowledge and understanding of theories, procedures and concepts relevant to the report is displayed, including use of correct format. Candidate makes satisfactory use of specialist terms when appropriate. Level 3[9]-[12] Good knowledge and understanding of theories, procedures and concepts relevant to the report is displayed, including use of correct format. Candidate makes good use of specialist terms when appropriate. Level 4[13]-[16]Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, procedures and concepts relevant to the report is displayed, including use of correct format. Candidate makes excellent use of specialist terms when appropriate.

Suggested Breakdown Ao Marks – Rule of Thumb only !!!!! FormatIntroductio n Knowledge Level Level Level Level Level

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to problems and issues relating to the report. Level 0 [0] No evidence that knowledge and initial understanding has been applied. Level 1 [1]-[6] Little evidence that knowledge and critical understanding has been applied and all or most of the information relevant to the report has been selected. The candidate makes limited use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is not always clear. The candidate demonstrates a limited form and style appropriate to the question. The organisation of the answer is limited. Level 2 [7]-[11] Some evidence that knowledge and critical understanding has been applied and all or most of the information relevant to the report has been selected. Candidate demonstrates satisfactory spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear most of the time. The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory level of writing, form and style appropriate to the purpose of the question. The answer is organised in a satisfactory manner. Level 3 [12]- [16] Good evidence that knowledge and critical understanding has been applied and all or most of the information relevant to the report has been selected. Candidate demonstrates good spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear. The candidate has consistently used a form and style of writing appropriate to the purpose of the question. Answer is organised in a clear and coherent manner. Level 4 [17]- [21] Comprehensive evidence that excellent knowledge and critical understanding has been applied and all or most of the information relevant to the report has been selected. Candidate demonstrates excellent spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear. The candidate has consistently used a form and style of writing appropriate to the purpose of the question. Answer is organised in a clear and coherent manner.

Suggested Breakdown AO2 21Marks – Rule of Thumb only !!!!! ApplicationOrganisation Level 0000 Level Level Level Level

AO3: Analyse problems, issues and situations relating to the report. Level 0[0]No analysis of the problems, issues and situations. Level 1[1]-[5] Little analysis of the problems, issues and situations relevant to the report. The candidate makes limited use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is not always clear. The candidate demonstrates a limited form and style appropriate to the question. The organisation of the answer is limited. Level 2[6]-[10] Some analysis of the problems, issues and situations relevant to the report. Candidate demonstrates satisfactory spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear most of the time. The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory level of writing, form and style appropriate to the purpose of the question. The answer is organised in a satisfactory manner. Level 3[11]-[15] Good analysis of the problems, issues and situations relevant to the report. Candidate demonstrates good spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear. The candidate has consistently used a form and style of writing appropriate to the purpose of the question. Answer is organised in a clear and coherent manner. Level 4[16]-[19]Comprehensive analysis of the problems, issues and situations relevant to the report. Candidate demonstrates good spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear. The candidate has consistently used a form and style of writing appropriate to the purpose of the question. Answer is organised in a clear and coherent manner.

Suggested Breakdown AO3 19Marks – Rule of Thumb only !!!!! AnalysisOrganisation Level 0000 Level Level Level Level

AO4: Evaluate, distinguish between and assess appropriateness of fact and opinion, and judge information from a variety of sources. Level 0[0]No evaluation of the evidence. Level 1[1]-[6] Little evaluation of all the evidence to arrive at reasoned and valid conclusions. The candidate makes limited use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is not always clear. The candidate demonstrates a limited form and style appropriate to the question. The organisation of the answer is limited. Level 2[7]-[12] Some evaluation of all the evidence to arrive at reasoned and valid conclusions. Candidate demonstrates satisfactory spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear most of the time. The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory level of writing, form and style appropriate to the purpose of the question. The answer is organised in a satisfactory manner. Level 3[13]-[18] Good evaluation of all the evidence to arrive at reasoned and valid conclusions. Candidate demonstrates good spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear. The candidate has consistently used a form and style of writing appropriate to the purpose of the question. Answer is organised in a clear and coherent manner. Level 4[19]-[24]Comprehensive evaluation of all the evidence to arrive at reasoned and valid conclusions. Candidate demonstrates excellent spelling, punctuation and grammar. The meaning of the text is clear. The candidate has consistently used a form and style of writing appropriate to the purpose of the question. Answer is organised in a clear and coherent manner.

Suggested Breakdown AO4 24Marks – Rule of Thumb only !!!!! EvaluationFinal Judgement Recommendations Level Level Level Level Level

GCE Business Studies Thank You For listening Questions ??? Examining opportunities

Future Support Exemplification of Examination Performance Events – Special Emphasis on A* - December 2010 Teacher Support Event - March 2011

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