AQA A Level Business specification (7132)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level Business exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level Business specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA A Level Business (7132) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
This A Level Business specification equips students with a holistic understanding of business in various contexts, exploring decision making, strategic planning, and the impact of external environments. It emphasises contemporary issues such as globalisation, digital transformation, and business ethics. Students develop analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills through engagement with real business scenarios. The course is co-teachable with AS and supports progression through varied assessment styles and comprehensive resources.Subject content breakdown
Theme 1: What is business?
- Nature and purpose of business
- Business forms and legal structures
- Business objectives and stakeholder influences
Theme 2: Managers, Leadership and Decision Making
- Management styles and theories
- Decision making processes and influences
- Stakeholder mapping and engagement
Theme 3: Marketing Management
- Marketing objectives and strategies
- Market research and customer understanding
- Marketing mix and segmentation
Theme 4: Operational Management
- Operational objectives and performance analysis
- Efficiency, quality, and supply chain management
- Use of technology and lean production
Theme 5: Financial Management
- Financial objectives and performance analysis
- Sources of finance and decision making
- Profitability and cash flow management
Theme 6: Human Resource Management
- HR objectives and organisational structure
- Recruitment, motivation, and employer-employee relations
- Performance indicators and labour market influences
Theme 7: Strategic Decision Making (A Level only)
- Corporate strategy and SWOT analysis
- Financial ratios and overall performance
- External influences including political, legal, social, and technological factors
Theme 8: Choosing Strategic Direction (A Level only)
- Market/product decisions and Ansoff matrix
- Competitive strategies and strategic positioning
Theme 9: Strategic Methods (A Level only)
- Growth strategies and globalisation
- Innovation, digital technology, and internationalisation
Theme 10: Managing Strategic Change (A Level only)
- Change management and organisational culture
- Implementation challenges and strategic evaluation
Assessment structure
AS Paper 1: Business 1
- Covers Themes 1–6
- 1 hour 30 minutes written exam
- 80 marks, 50% of AS
- Includes multiple choice, short answer, and data response questions
AS Paper 2: Business 2
- Covers Themes 1–6
- 1 hour 30 minutes written exam
- 80 marks, 50% of AS
- Single case study with approximately 7 questions
A Level Paper 1: Business 1
- All themes assessed
- 2 hour written exam
- 100 marks, 33.3% of A Level
- Includes MCQs, short answers, and essays
A Level Paper 2: Business 2
- All themes assessed
- 2 hour written exam
- 100 marks, 33.3% of A Level
- Three data response questions
A Level Paper 3: Business 3
- All themes assessed
- 2 hour written exam
- 100 marks, 33.3% of A Level
- Case study followed by approximately six questions
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level Business isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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