SQA Higher Business Management specification (X810 76)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your SQA Higher Business Management 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 SQA Higher Business Management 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 SQA Higher Business Management (X810 76) 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 SQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Higher Business Management course helps learners understand how large organisations operate in a dynamic, competitive and changing environment. It develops analytical, decision-making and communication skills through engagement with real business contexts. Candidates explore how organisations meet customer needs, make strategic decisions, and respond to external influences. The course also equips learners with knowledge of key business functions, including finance, marketing, operations, and human resources. It is suited for those interested in business careers, management roles, or entrepreneurship:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
Understanding business
- Role of business in society: sectors of industry/economy
- Types of organisations: private/public sector, multinationals, franchises, third sector
- Objectives: CSR, growth, satisficing, managerial
- Methods of growth: organic, horizontal, vertical, diversification
- Internal and external factors: PESTEC, finance, staffing, culture, technology
- Stakeholders: conflicts and interdependence
- Structures: organisational types and their pros/cons
- Decision making: strategic/tactical/operational, SWOT, managerial roles
Management of marketing
- Customers: product- vs market-led, consumer behaviour
- Market research: methods and sampling
- Marketing mix: product, price, place, promotion, people, process, physical evidence
- Product: life cycle, portfolios, extension strategies
- Price: cost-based, skimming, penetration, predatory, promotional
- Promotion: pipeline promotions, PR
- Technology: use of EPOS, online tools, DTP, apps
Management of operations
- Inventory: JIT, warehousing, logistics
- Production methods: capital vs labour intensive
- Quality: assurance vs control, symbols, benchmarking, mystery shoppers
- Ethics/environment: fair trade, sustainability
- Technology: CAD, CAM, EPOS, robotics
Management of people
- Workforce planning: recruitment, selection
- Training: CPD, appraisals
- Motivation/leadership: Maslow, Herzberg, styles
- Employee relations: procedures, trade unions, ACAS
- Legislation: Health and Safety, Equality, Minimum Wage
- Technology: recruitment platforms, VLEs, HR databases
Management of finance
- Sources of finance: loans, share issues, crowd funding
- Cash budgeting: analysis and solutions
- Financial statements: Income Statement, Statement of Financial Position
- Ratios: profitability, liquidity, efficiency
- Technology: spreadsheets, banking software, Sage:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Question Paper
- 2 hours 45 minutes
- 90 marks (75% of total)
- Section 1: case-study based, 1 question (30 marks)
- Section 2: 4 multi-part questions (15 marks each)
- Tests analysis, decision making, problem solving, and knowledge integration
Assignment
- 8 hours (incl. research and write-up)
- 30 marks (25% of total)
- Investigative report based on a chosen business topic
- Marked on: introduction (2), research (4), analysis (13), conclusions (10), structure (1)
- Word limit: 2000 words + max 4 pages of appendices
- Conducted under some supervision; submitted to SQA for external marking
Grading
- A–D based on combined score of both components
- Grade A = consistently high performance
- Grade C = successful completion with sound understanding
Assessment Objectives
- Apply knowledge to unfamiliar contexts
- Analyse data to inform decision-making
- Communicate business insights effectively
- Suggest justified solutions and conclusions:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your SQA Higher Business Management 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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