Skills You Need To Demonstrate (Edexcel IGCSE Business): Revision Note

Knowledge and Understanding

• This skill involves showing that you know the key business terms, facts and ideas from the course, and that you can recall them accurately when asked

• When a question tests this skill, it does not expect you to explain, analyse or evaluate - it is simply checking whether you remember and understand the basics

What this involves

• Select: choosing the correct answer from a set of options

• Define: writing the meaning of a business term

• Give: providing a short answer that shows you remember something from the specification

• State: writing a simple fact or short sentence, often linked to information in the question

• Identify: picking out the correct piece of information from data, a graph, or a table

Example

• In this response, knowledge has been demonstrated by stating a valid point

State one role of an entrepreneur. [1 mark]

Application

• This skill is about showing that you can take your business knowledge and apply it to a given situation, data or case study

• It involves showing how the knowledge works in practice. This means linking your answer to the context provided in the question (for example, a business, data table, or case study extract)

What this involves

• Calculate: using maths skills to work out an answer from the data given. You must show your workings clearly, even if you use a calculator

• Complete the table: filling in missing values in a table of data by applying the right formula or method

• Outline: giving points about a business concept or issue, and making sure these are connected to the case study or context in the question

Example

• In this response, application has been demonstrated by relating a knowledge point to a business scenario

Outline one way that a business plan could have helped Joe Thwaites when starting Loco. [2 marks]

Analysis and Evaluation

Analysis

• This involves showing that you can break down a business idea, issue or problem into parts, explain them clearly, and show how they connect.

• You are moving beyond recalling knowledge or applying it to context and developing chains of reasoning

What this involves

• Explain: give a clear statement, then add two linked points of expansion that may build on each other or stem from the same fact

• Discuss: write a longer answer where you explore a business concept or issue more fully

• Analyse: develop a chain of reasoning using a given context by expanding and exploring an issue. Your response will show clear cause-and-effect links

Example

• In this response, analysis has been demonstrated by a chain of linked points that build on a valid point

Explain one factor that would be likely to affect the choice of location for a small restaurant. [3 marks]

Evaluation

• This involves showing that you can weigh up different arguments, options or outcomes and reach a justified conclusion.

• You are expected to demonstrate higher-order thinking by recognising both sides, balancing evidence and making a decision that is clearly supported

• You need to demonstrate evaluation in 9-mark and 12-mark responses

What this involves

• Justify: use the information provided in the question to choose between options, and recommend one, explaining why that option is better, using evidence

• Evaluate: give a balanced argument about a business situation, weighing up advantages and disadvantages or short-term vs long-term effects. You should end with a supported conclusion that directly answers the question

Example

• In this response, evaluation has been demonstrated by weighing up the different options and a supported judgement

• This response shows a full-mark answer that demonstrates all skills

Orion Electronics plc is a large multinational business that designs and manufactures smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. It has factories in Europe and Asia and sells its products worldwide. The business recently launched a new smartphone model, the O-Phone X. Orion is known for its innovation and high quality but faces increasing competition from other large technology firms. The management team wants to ensure continued international sales growth while maintaining customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Orion Electronics plc is considering two options for future growth Option 1: Develop its own chain of branded retail stores Option 2: Sell more products through online marketplaces Which option is likely to be better for Orion Electronics? Justify your answer. [9 marks]