GCSE
Business
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Introduction to GCSE Business (Edexcel)
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1.1 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
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1.2 Spotting a Business Opportunity Coming soon
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1.3 Putting a Business Idea into Practice Coming soon
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1.4 Making the Business Effective Coming soon
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1.5 Understanding External Influences on Business Coming soon
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2.1 Growing the Business Coming soon
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2.2 Making Marketing Decisions Coming soon
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2.3 Making Operational Decisions Coming soon
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2.4 Making Financial Decisions Coming soon
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2.5 Making Human Resource Decisions Coming soon
1. Investigating Small Business
In this lesson, we will explore how GCSE Business is assessed. Understanding the structureThe organisation and order of information in a text. of each paper and what examiners are looking for will help you prepare more effectively and write stronger, higher-scoring responses.
Assessment Structure
For Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Business (1BS0), you will sit two written examination papers. There is no coursework or controlled assessment. Both papers are externally assessed and together make up 100% of your GCSE grade. The qualification is divided into:
- Paper 1: Investigating Small Business
- Paper 2: Building a Business
Paper 1: Investigating Small Business
Paper 1 focuses on starting and running a small business. You will answer questions about entrepreneurshipThe process of starting and running a business, involving risk-taking and decision-making., spotting opportunities, finance, marketing, operations and external influences. You may be asked to calculate figures such as revenue, profitThe difference between the total revenue a business receives from sales and its total costs of production. or break-even, and then explain or evaluate what the results mean for the business.
| Written Exam Paper 1 | |
|---|---|
| Title | Paper 1: Investigating Small Business |
| Marks | 90 Marks |
| Time | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Weighting | 50% of GCSE |
| Content Assessed | 1.1 EnterpriseThe ability to organise the other factors of production and take risks in order to start and run a business. and Entrepreneurship 1.2 Spotting a Business OpportunityA gap in the market or a new idea that a business can use to meet customer needs and make a profit. 1.3 Putting a Business Idea into Practice 1.4 Making the Business Effective 1.5 Understanding External Influences on Business |
Paper 1 is divided into three sections:
- Section A: 35 marks
- Section B: 30 marks
- Section C: 25 marks
The paper includes:
- Multiple-choice questions
- Short-answer questions
- Calculations
- Extended-writing questions
Sections B and C are based on business contexts provided in a Source Booklet, meaning you will need to apply your knowledge to real business scenarios. You may use a calculator in the exam.
Paper 2: Building a Business
Paper 2 focuses on growing a business. You will often need to analyse data, interpret financial figures or graphs, and make justified decisions using evidence from the case study provided.
| Written Exam Paper 2 | |
|---|---|
| Title | Paper 2: Building a Business |
| Marks | 90 Marks |
| Time | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Weighting | 50% of GCSE |
| Content Assessed | 2.1 Growing the Business 2.2 Making Marketing Decisions 2.3 Making Operational Decisions 2.4 Making Financial Decisions 2.5 Making Human Resource Decisions |
Paper 2 follows the same structure as Paper 1:
- Section A: 35 marks
- Section B: 30 marks
- Section C: 25 marks
It also includes calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions, and Sections B and C are based on a Source Booklet.
Synoptic Assessment
GCSE Business uses a synoptic approach, meaning you may need to draw on knowledge from across different topics and themes when answering questions.
For example, a question about growth may also require understanding of finance, marketing and human resourcesThe inputs used to produce goods and services, including the factors of production.. Successful students link different areas of the course together in their answers.