1. Using your knowledge is X business right to do X. Justify your answer.
Match the command word with what is actually means you need to do
Work out the answer using the correct formula.
Requires some evaluation, which involves weighing up a course of action against an alternative option that could have been taken
Give a definition, and illustrate with an example if you possibly can to secure the 2nd mark
Apply relevant knowledge of theory to the question. Identify an alternative option and discuss it. Also discuss the course of action being taken and the advantages and disadvantages. Therefore you show both sides of the argument. Conclude by stating your opinion with reasons.
Talk about how a particular business approach works, or how a particular situation may have an impact on a business
Briefly name a particular method or way in which something is done
Identify….
Explain or Describe
What is meant by…
Calculate
Assess/Discuss
Using your knowledge is X business right to do X. Justify your answer.

2. Thinking back to Coke and Dasani
Draw out a Boston Matrix for Coca-Cola Beverages product range, and that of Pepsi.
Draw out a product life-cycle. Label at the 4 main stages. Plot Coke on the life-cycle.
Why, therefore, did Coke launch Dasani?

3. Product Portfolios and Portfolio Planning – Write these down
Product Portfolio – the range of products and services offered by an organisation to it’s various target market segments Portfolio planning – the process of assessing one’s portfolio to identify threats and opportunities, for example by realising that there is not a product for a fast growing market segment, or that sales of an existing product are likely to stop growing soon. Boston Matrix and Product Life-Cycle are the two main portfolio planning tools.

4. Linking Coke/Dasani to Consumer Protection Legislation
Can you recall any bodies/organisations who were checking up on Coke/Dasani?
What was the role of the Mineral Water Association?
What were the costs to Coca-Cola of the Dasani affair?
Advertising Standards Authority, Trading Standards, Food Standards Authority
Raising concerns with these bodies, directly with Coca Cola and with the press/media
Damage to reputation, enormous costs (lots of fixed costs in product development and launch which will not be recovered in sales once product withdrawn

5. General Exam Advice/Practice

6. The 3 mark question that is about a particular type of business
Define
Point
Develop
Complete the sentences opposite for the following question:
Explain the benefit to a business such as Nando’s giving excellent customer service
DEFINE : Customer Service can be defined as…. POINT : An advantage to Nando’s of delivering excellent customer service is….. DEVELOP : This means that….
Link these points to Nando’s

7. The 6 mark question that asks you to choose between two methods (such as?)
1 mk
6 mks
Define method 1
Give an advantage and explain
Give a disadvantage and explain
Define method 2
Give a conclusion, stating what your view depends upon (e.g. timescale, business objectives, nature of business)
Try this question: “Buffer Stock & JIT are both methods of controlling stock. Which is more effective?” 1 minute a mark – what level can you reach in 6 minutes?

8. General Tips
Revise! Make some time to revise the Marketing & Meeting Customer Needs sections
Spend 20 minutes on one area e.g. Stock Control, and then have a break for 5 minutes. Come back and test yourself
Read the question carefully and answer the question that has been asked
Look at the marks available for clues as to how deep an answer is expected
If the question is focused on a particular type of business, link your answer back to that business
Time – 1 mark a minute

9. Study Materials
Go to and click Freman E Year.
In my latest post, you will find a revision guide containing:
General Advice
Marketing notes
Meeting Customer Needs notes
I’ve also saved it in Pupil Shared, Read Only, Business, E Year, Exam : file is called New Year 11 Mock GCSE Revision Guide
For those retaking Year 10 exam, I will also post the Glossary of Terms from Sections 1 -5 for you to use to revise over Christmas, and tag this as a Freman E Year post.

10. Good Luck – seize the opportunity to boost your confidence and learn from the experience!