AQA GCSE Business specification (8132)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA GCSE 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 GCSE 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 GCSE Business (8132) 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 GCSE Business specification enables students to explore real-world business issues and understand how businesses operate in a dynamic environment. It emphasises practical application through relevant business contexts and scenarios. Students gain insight into how business decisions are made, developing commercial awareness and critical thinking. The course encourages the use of quantitative and qualitative data, decision making, and the evaluation of business opportunities and issues. Students will learn to think commercially, apply business knowledge to a range of contexts, and develop problem-solving and analytical skills in preparation for further study or employment.Subject content breakdown
3.1 Business in the real world
- Purpose of business activity and entrepreneurship
- Business ownership types: sole trader, partnership, ltd, plc, not-for-profit
- Aims and objectives: profit, growth, market share, ethics
- Stakeholders and their influence
- Factors affecting business location
- Business planning and financial terminology
- Methods and impact of business expansion
3.2 Influences on business
- Technology: e-commerce, digital communication
- Ethical/environmental considerations and trade-offs
- Economic climate: interest rates, employment, spending
- Globalisation and exchange rates
- Legislation: employment, health & safety, consumer law
- Competitive environment: market conditions, uncertainty, risk
3.3 Business operations
- Production methods: job, flow
- Stock management: JIT, JIC
- Procurement, logistics, supply chain management
- Quality assurance and Total Quality Management (TQM)
- Customer service and impact of ICT
3.4 Human resources
- Organisational structures and communication
- Recruitment and selection processes
- Motivation: financial and non-financial methods
- Employee training: induction, on/off-the-job
3.5 Marketing
- Identifying and satisfying customer needs
- Market segmentation: age, gender, income, location
- Market research: methods and uses
- Marketing mix: 4Ps (price, product, promotion, place)
- Product life cycle, Boston Matrix
- E-commerce and m-commerce
- Integration of marketing mix in decision making
3.6 Finance
- Sources of finance: internal and external
- Cash flow forecasting and analysis
- Financial terms: revenue, costs, profit
- Break-even and average rate of return
- Interpreting financial statements: income statement, financial position
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM on business activity
- Assesses: Business in the real world, Influences on business, Business operations, Human resources
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 90 marks, 50% of GCSE
- Includes multiple choice, short answers, and two case studies with data response questions
Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on business activity
- Assesses: Business in the real world, Influences on business, Marketing, Finance
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 90 marks, 50% of GCSE
- Includes multiple choice, short answers, and two case studies with data response questions
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA GCSE 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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