GCSE Business Studies

Course Information:  Exam Board: AQA    Course Code: 4133

The subject is taught for 3 periods per week.

Assessment

Year 10:

There is an examination at the end of year (unit 1). This introduces students new to the subject to all aspects of business studies and focuses on smaller companies and new business start-ups. It represents 40% of the GCSE

Year 11:

End of year examination (unit 2). This builds upon the knowledge in unit 1 and looks more at larger companies and how they grow. It represents 35% of the GCSE.

Controlled Assessment (unit 3). This represents 25% of the GCSE. Controlled Assessment replaces coursework. It allows students to do guided research into a business topic over a longer period of time and to present their findings/results in a controlled/timed setting.

Content

 The full content of the course can be found in the course specification at: http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/business/new/business_materials.php?id=04&prev=04. This is a lengthy 85 page document. Page 8 gives a quick overview and pages 10-21 give details of what is taught in the 3 units of study.

Even briefer, the 4 main topics taught are:

Finance: How money is raised to start a business and basic accounts and measures of financial performance.

People: Recruitment, motivation, rewards, training.

Marketing: Market Research, the Marketing Mix

Opertaions: How goods are made/produced.

We also look at how the government and the law influence business, business location and international competitiveness.