Business and its environment

• External influences on business activity
• Business strategy

Human resource management

• Organisational structure
• Business communication
• Leadership
• Human resource management strategy

Marketing

• Marketing analysis
• Marketing strategy

Operations management

• Location and scale
• Quality management
• Operations strategy

Finance and Accounting

• Financial statements
• Analysis of published accounts
• Investment appraisal
• Finance and accounting strategy

Paper 1

• Business Concepts 1 (1 hour 15 minutes – 40 marks)
• Section A: four short answer questions. There are two parts to the first three questions.
• Section B: one essay from a choice of two. There are two parts to each essay.
• Questions are based on the AS Level subject content.
• Externally assessed
• 40% of the AS Level
• 20% of the A Level

Paper 2

• Business Concepts 2 (1 hour 30 minutes – 60 marks)
• Two data response questions. There are six parts to each question.
• Questions are based on the AS Level subject content.
• Externally assessed
• 60% of the AS Level
• 30% of the A Level

Paper 3

• Business Decision-Making (1 hour 45 minutes – 60 marks)
• Five questions based on a case study. There are three parts to Question 3 and two parts to Question 4.
• Questions are based on the A Level subject content; knowledge of material from the AS Level subject content is assumed.
• Externally assessed
• 30% of the A Level

Paper 4

• Business Strategy (1 hour 15 minutes – 40 marks)
• Two essay questions based on a case study.
• Questions are based on the A Level subject content; knowledge of material from the AS Level subject content is assumed.
• Externally assessed
• 20% of the A Level