Paper 1: Influences of Operations & HRM on Business Activity (AQA GCSE Business): Revision Note

What is examined in the AQA GCSE Business Paper 1?

• This exam paper is focused on the following topic areas:

  • Business in the real world

  • Influences on business

  • Business operations

  • Human resources

• The paper's duration is 1 hour 45 minutes

• The total number of marks available is 90, representing 50% of the qualification

• The paper combines multiple-choice, short-answer, calculation, analysis and evaluation questions, often supported by extracts, data or case studies

• You must answer all questions

Structure of the Paper

• The exam is divided into three sections (A, B and C)

• Each section builds in demand, testing knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation skills

Section A: Non- case study questions

• This section totals 20 marks

• The main skills tested are recall of key terms, knowledge of business facts, simple calculations and short explanations

• Types of tasks include:

  • Multiple-choice questions, worth 1 mark each, that usually involve the selection of correct terms or definitions, identification of factors, advantages or disadvantages, or choosing a valid formula

  • Simple calculations, worth 2 marks, requiring clear workings and correct application of formulae

  • Short explanations, worth 2 or 4 marks, that usually require a valid knowledge point, followed by a suitable development

Section B: Case study-based questions

• This section usually totals between 30 and 35 marks

• The main skills tested are application to context, quantitative skills, structured analysis and justification

• Questions are based on a real-world style case study

• You are required to apply knowledge directly to the case and develop points within the context

• Question styles include:

  • Short responses, worth 1 or 2 marks, that require you to state or identify one or more point

  • Explain questions, worth 2 marks or 4 marks that require you to outline one or more points by linking to the case study

  • Analyse questions, worth 6 marks that require you to develop chains of analysis using the case study to support your points

  • Justify questions, worth 9 marks, that require you to choose between options and justify which is better, within context

Section C: Extended case study and evaluation

• This section usually totals between 32 and 38 marks

• The main skills tested are application to context, quantitative skills, structured analysis and justification using context and evidence

• Questions are based on a real-world style case study

• Question styles include:

  • Short responses, worth 1 or 2 marks, that require you to state or identify one or more point

  • Analyse questions, worth 6 marks that require you to develop chains of analysis using the case study to support your points

  • Justify questions, worth 9 marks, that require you to choose between options and justify which is better, within context

  • Evaluate questions, worth 12 marks, that ask you to provide a balanced argument and a fully developed judgement