How To answer - Business

How to answer EDEXCEL A-level business questions

Knowledge (AO1)

Demonstrating familiarity with business terms, concepts, theories, and models. This includes providing definitions of key terms in the question.

Application (AO2)

Tailoring answers to the specific business context, using data from case studies (such as market data or calculations) rather than just general knowledge. However simply mentioning the business name is not considered sufficient application, applied information must be relevant to the answers argument

Analysis (AO3)

Building logical, multi-stage chains of reasoning that explain the causes, consequences, and impacts of business decisions. It focuses on explaining how and why an action affects a business.

Sentence Starters:

• This means that..

• This leads to…

• A consequence of this could be…

• As a result of this…

• Therefore..

Evaluation (AO4)

Forming a supported judgment, recommendation, or conclusion based on prior analysis. This involves weighing arguments, considering stakeholders, and stating factors that a decision depends on. 

MOPS factors

• Market

• Objectives

• Product

• Situation

4 Mark Explain (P1+2)

• 1x Knowledge, 2x Application, 3x Analysis

1. Start with a definition from the question

2. Make your point and say why it is the case, bringing in two points of application

4 Mark - Calculate (P1+2)

You must show your workings

4 Mark - Diagram (P1+2)

1. Draw diagrams that are large using a pencil and ruler

2. Ensure that all diagrams are fully labelled - you get marks for this

10 Mark - Assess (P1+2)

• 2x Knowledge, 2x Application, 2x Analysis, 3x Evaluation

1. Start with a definition from the question

2. Make your first point

3. Asses this point using the 3 chains of analysis - Making sure that application from case study is embedded (include a “however” if appropriate)

4. Make second point (counter point)

5. Asses counter point with 3 chains of analysis (include a “however” if appropriate)

6. Start a conclusion with the wording of the question, make a judgement and stick with it while using additional points to justify

12 Mark - Assess (P1+2)

• 2x Knowledge, 2x Application, 4x Analysis, 4x Evaluation

1. Start with a definition from the question

2. Make your first point

3. Now assess this point using 3-4 chains of analysis - ensure application from case study is embedded

4. ‘However’ Point

5. Conclusion - Involve wording of the question, make a judgement, bring in additional points to why, and show how it relates to the scenario

20 Mark - Recommend (P1+2)

• 4x Knowledge, 4x Application, 6x Analysis, 6x Evaluation

• Make your first point (Positives of idea 1)

• Analyse point in detail, 4 chains of analysis, embed application from case study

• Counter the first point (Negatives of Idea 1)

• Make a second point (Positives of idea 2)

• Analyse in detail, 4 chains of analysis, embed application from case study

• Counter the second point (Negatives of Idea 2)

• Start conclusion with the wording of the question

• Make a decision/recommendation

• Add in additional points to back up decision

• Include MOPS factors

8 Mark Question (P3)

• 2x Knowledge, 2x Application, 2x Analysis, 2x Evaluation

Often the question asks to assess 2 benefits or 2 drawbacks; you will be asked to use an extract or specific data to support your answer

1. Make your first point (Benefit 1)

2. Use chains of analysis and extract to fully analyse the point

3. Counter the point - Why might it not be the case, use evidence to support

4. Make a second point (Benefit 2)

5. Use chains of analysis and extract to analyse point fully, use evidence to support this

6. Counter the pint - Why might it not be the case? Use evidence to support this

10 /12/20 Mark Question (P3)

Same formula as Paper 1 and 2