A Level Business
What is it about at sixth-form level?
Business is about the nature of business activity, how it operates and makes a profit, how it matches strategies to corporate objectives, and the internal and external influences upon business decision-making.
In other words, if you study Business at sixth-form level you will learn all about how and why businesses can become successful and how and why they can fail. The focus in year 12 is on improving business performance and the decisions needed to achieve this aim. In the full A level you will study strategic decision making.
Why study it and what skills does it develop?
Studying Business at A level will allow you to engage with the business world by following business developments and thinking critically about contemporary business issues. Most of the assessment material is based on real business situations. By examining and thinking critically about real business situations as you study the subject, you will gain an insight into different contexts which will help you to understand the key issues in any situation and compare and contrast this with other situations, as well as knowledge of key business theorists.
What prior knowledge and skills are required?
For the study of A Level Business, you should have at least a grade 5 in GCSE English Language, and at least a grade 5 in GCSE Maths, but a grade 6 is more desirable; especially if you wish to pursue this subject at degree level. If you studied GCSE Business you will need to have achieved a grade 4. Students that are knowledgeable about current affairs and keep up to date with business news will particularly enjoy this course.
How is the course assessed?
A level
Papers 1 and 2 will last 2 hours and are each worth 100 marks. In Paper 1 there will be three compulsory sections. Section A has 15 multiple choice questions worth 15 marks. Section B has short answer questions worth 35 marks. Sections C and D have two essay questions worth 25 marks each. In Paper 2 there will be three data response compulsory questions worth approximately 33 marks each and made up of three or four part questions. Papers 1 and 2 cover content from the first year, with some second year (A level) material. Paper 3 will incorporate all the A level content. It will also last 2 hours and be worth 100 marks. This exam will consist of one compulsory case study followed by approximately six questions. Each exam contributes 33.3% to the overall A level.
Reading
To be confirmed at the start of the course
AQA A-level Business Year 1/AS 3rd edition
By Wolinski & Coates
Published by Hodder Education, ISBN 978-1471836091
AQA A-level Business Year 2 3rd edition
By Wolinski & Coates
Published by Hodder Education, ISBN 978- 1471836114
AQA Business for A-level (Marcousé) (covers full A-level)
By I. Marcousé, A. Hammond, N. Watson
Published by Hodder Education, ISBN 978- 1471835698
Students are also expected to keep up with the daily business news channel, such as BBC Business.
Exam Board and Specification Codes
A level: AQA 7132
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