1. AQA GCSE BUSINESS STUDIES
EXAM PREPARATION

2. THE BIG EXAM SECRET! There is a trick to passing exams!
It is called exam technique
It is not just about what you know or don’t know
It is about following some simple rules.

3. EXAM TECHNIQUE RULES
Read any case study / information you are given and underline or highlight important bits.
Read the question and underline key terms.
When you answer the question – make sure that you mention something from the case study.
Make one point for each mark available.
PEE to get the higher marks – Point; Evidence; Explain

4. Little Shoots Ltd – Location Question
Explain the possible benefits to LS Ltd of the location of its garden centre. (5 marks)
It says in the case study that….. it is located on the edge of a large town.
This is an advantage because …… it means that there are a lot of potential customers nearby.
Another advantage is that…… it has a large free car park.
This is an advantage because….. it will encourage people to drive there without worrying about parking costs.
The impact of these location factors should be to attract more customers and increase profits.

5. The Profit Rule PROFIT impacts on most business decisions.
In MOST Business Studies questions you will be able to get marks for using PROFIT as your JUSTIFICATION e.g.
Level 2 Students should put in steps between the issue e.g. poor customer service and the effect on profit:
L1 Answer: The result of poor customer service will be less customers, leading to less profit.
L2 Answer: Poor customer service will lead to a poor reputation, will lead to fewer customers, will lead to lower profit, will lead to business closing down.
Try These:
Poor quality will lead to …….
Good quality will lead to ……….
Good customer service will lead to ………..

6. The costs rule
Most Business Decisions will have financial COSTS. You will get marks in the exam for identifying any of these:
A disadvantage of (e.g.) primary research is the cost.
A disadvantage of (e.g.) building a new office is the cost.
A disadvantage of advertising is the cost.
A disadvantage of ……………… is the cost

7. Ownership Type of Ownership Sole Trader Partnership
Limited Company (Ltd)
Franchise
Need to:
Define
Advantages
Disadvantages
You must understand Limited Liability & Unlimited Liability

8. Business Objectives All businesses have the following objectives:
Survival
Profit
Grow
Good Customer Service
Good Reputation
Ethical (Social) Aims:
Recycle
No Pollution
Pay good wages
Why do businesses have aim & objectives?
Something to aim towards.
Give workers a focus
Attracts customers
Social Costs & Benefits:
Good & Bad effects of business on society
E.g. M&S Plan A

9. Business Planning Why do you need a business plan?
Identify your targets & goals
Identify what staff you need
Identify what equipment you need
Identify financial needs
Helps you to get a loan
Contents of a business plan:
Business Name
Business Ownership
Business Activities
Aims & Objectives
Product Details
Location
Staff
Marketing
Competition
Finance

10. Business Location Location Factors include the following:
Cost of land / building
Closeness to customers
Closeness to competitors
Transport links & parking
Supply of workers

11. Stakeholders – Any group connected with a business.
Internal Stakeholders:
Owners / Shareholders
Workers
Managers
External Stakeholders:
Customers
Community
Competitors
Suppliers
Government
Families
For each stakeholder:
Why are they stakeholders?
How are they affected by the firm?
How can they influence the firm?

12. Business Finance Sources of Finance: Bank Loan Overdraft Mortgage
Friends & Family
Own Savings
Government Grant
Sell Shares
Need to:
- Definition
Advantages
Disadvantages
Cash-Flow Forecast:
Purpose
Read & Interpret
How can you improve cash flow?
Financial Terms:
Price
Sales
Revenue
Costs
Profit/Loss

13. Marketing Market Research Methods: Primary Research Secondary Research
Target Market
Niche Market / Gap in Market
Give definitions
Give advantages & disadvantages
4Ps – Marketing Mix
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
Give definitions & examples of each

14. People in Business Recruitment Methods: Internal External
Recruitment Process
Legal issues:
Equality Laws
Minimum Wage
Health & Safety Laws
Motivating Staff:
Monetary benefits
Non-Monetary benefits
Intrinsic rewards
Job Enrichment
Job Rotation

15. Customer Service Benefits of Customer Service
Effects of Customer Service Laws
How ICT has affected customer service

16. Production Methods Need to know: Job Production Batch Production
Flow Production
Definitions
Advantages & Disadvantages
Quality Control:
Why is quality important?
How can a business carry out quality control?
Consumer Protection Laws

17. 9 Mark Question Tips
You will always get a choice of 2 or more options. You need to give:
Advantage(s) & Disadvantage(s) of Option 1
Advantage(s) & Disadvantages of Option 2 / 3 / 4
Conclusion – Choose one of the options as the one to recommend.
Link your answer to the case study info!!!
Do NOT make a conclusion at the beginning!!
Level 1 Answer – LIST advs & disadvs & STATE a conclusion – max = 5/9
Level 2 Answer – EXPLAIN WHY they are advs & disadvs & JUSTIFY your conclusion- max 9/9 