GCSE Business Studies (AQA)
GCSE Business Studies looks at the main functional areas of Business. In year 10, students will look only at small businesses, and will draw on their local knowledge, giving them a valuable context to apply what is a new subject for them. Theory is purposely kept to a basic level at this stage, and is deepened in year 11. At this point, students will have a firm grasp of business principles and will apply their knowledge to large and growing businesses. The main topics will be the same as in year 10, but the theory will be extended.
There are three main units in GCSE Business Studies:
1. Setting up a business – Year 10 exam (40%)
2. Growing as a business – Year 11 exam (35%)
3. Investigating businesses – Year 10 Controlled Assessment (25%)
Units 1 & 2 cover the following 5 major topics, and are both examined by a 1 hour examination:
1. Starting a business
2. Marketing
3. Finance
4. People in Businesses
5. Operations Management
Unit 3 is the controlled assessment, which replaces coursework. This is undertaken towards the end of year 10, but effectively involves the researching of a topic/local business, which will be issued by the exam-board, and writing a response to it under controlled conditions.