gcse business j204 spec v1
TRANSCRIPT
QualificationAccredited
ocr.org.uk/gcsebusiness
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Version 1.3 (February 2021)
BUSINESSJ204For first assessment in 2019
GCSE (9-1)
Specification
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Contents
1 Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Business? 21a. WhychooseanOCRqualification? 21b. WhychooseanOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusiness? 31c. Whatarethekeyfeaturesofthisspecification? 41d. WhatisnewinOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusiness? 41e. HowdoIfindoutmoreinformation? 42a. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Business (J204) 5
2 Thespecificationoverview 52b. Content of GCSE (9–1) in Business (J204) 62c. ContentofBusiness1:businessactivity,marketingandpeople(J204/01) 82c. ContentofBusiness2:operations,financeandinfluencesonbusiness(J204/02) 142d. Priorknowledge,learningandprogression 20
3 Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Business 213a. Formsofassessment 213b. Assessmentobjectives(AO) 233c. AOweightingsinOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusiness 233d. Assessmentavailability 243e. Retakingthequalification 243f. Assessmentofextendedresponse 243g. Synopticassessment 243h. Calculatingqualificationresults 24
4 Admin:whatyouneedtoknow 254a. Pre-assessment 254b. Specialconsideration 264c. Externalassessmentarrangements 264d. Resultsandcertificates 264e. Post-resultsservices 274f. Malpractice 27
5 Appendices 285a. Overlapwithotherqualifications 285b. Accessibility 285c. Quantitativeskillsrequirement 29
Summaryofupdates 30
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1 Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Business?
1a. WhychooseanOCRqualification?
ChooseOCRandyou’vegotthereassurancethatyou’reworkingwithoneoftheUK’sleadingexaminationboards.OurnewOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusinessqualificationhasbeendevelopedinconsultationwithteachers,employersandHigherEducationinstitutionstoprovidelearnerswithaqualificationthat’srelevanttothemandmeetstheirneeds.
We’repartoftheCambridgeAssessmentGroup,Europe’slargestassessmentagencyandadepartmentoftheUniversityofCambridge.CambridgeAssessmentplaysaleadingroleindevelopinganddeliveringassessmentsthroughouttheworld,operatinginover150countries.
Weworkwitharangeofeducationproviders,includingschools,colleges,workplacesandotherinstitutionsinboththepublicandprivatesectors.Over13,000centreschooseourALevels,GCSEsandvocationalqualificationsincludingCambridgeNationalsandCambridgeTechnicals.
OurSpecifications
Webelieveindevelopingspecificationsthathelp youbringthesubjecttolifeandinspireyourlearnerstoachievemore.
We’vecreatedteacher-friendlyspecificationsbasedonextensiveresearchandengagementwiththeteachingcommunity.They’redesignedtobestraightforwardandaccessiblesothatyoucantailorthedeliveryofthecoursetosuityourneeds.Weaimtoencouragestudentstobecomeresponsiblefortheirownlearning,confidentindiscussingideas,innovativeandengaged.
Weprovidearangeofsupportservicesdesignedtohelpyouateverystage,frompreparationthroughtothedeliveryofourspecifications.Thisincludes:
• Awiderangeofhigh-qualitycreativeresources,including:
•• DeliveryGuides
•• TransitionGuides
•• TopicExplorationPacks
•• LessonElements
•• …andmuchmore.
• AccesstoSubjectAdvisorstosupportyouthroughthetransitionandthroughoutthelifetimeofthespecification.
• CPD/Trainingforteacherstointroducethequalificationsandprepareyouforfirst teaching.
• ActiveResults–ourfreeresultsanalysis servicetohelpyoureviewtheperformance ofindividuallearnersorwholeschools.
OurResourcePartnertextbookwilldevelopknowledgeandskillswithitscomprehensivecoverageoftheassessmentstructureandallthebusinesstopicsyour students need to know.
AllGCSE(9–1)qualificationsofferedbyOCRareaccreditedbyOfqual,theRegulatorforqualificationsofferedinEngland.TheaccreditationnumberforOCR’sGCSE(9–1)inBusinessisQN603/0295/1.
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1b. Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Business?
OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Business is an up-to-date and engagingqualificationthatisrelevanttotheworld of business today.
Thisqualificationequipslearnerswiththeskillsandconfidencetoexplorehowdifferentbusinesssituationsaffectbusinessdecisions.Itisawell-roundedintroductiontothesubject.Thequalificationwillencouragelearnerstomakeinformedchoicesaboutawiderangeoffurtherlearningopportunitiesandcareerpathwaysaswellasdeveloplifeskills thatenablethemtobecomefinanciallyandcommerciallyaware.
Thespecificationisdividedintotopics,each coveringkeyconceptsofbusiness.ThecontentisclearandlogicallylaidoutforbothexistingcentresandthosenewtoOCR,withastraightforwardassessmentmodelandmarkingcriteria.
Ourspecificationhasbeendevelopedwithsubjectandteachingexperts.Wehaveworkedincloseconsultationwithteachersandotherstakeholderswiththeaimofincludingup-to-date,relevantcontentinaframeworkthatisinterestingtoteachandeasy toadministerincentres.
Aimsandlearningoutcomes
OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Business should enable learners to:
• knowandunderstandbusinessconcepts,businessterminology,businessobjectives,theintegratednatureofbusinessactivityandtheimpactofbusinessonindividualsandwidersociety
• applyknowledgeandunderstandingtocontemporarybusinessissuesandtodifferenttypesandsizesofbusinessesinlocal,nationalandglobalcontexts
• developasenterprisingindividualswiththeabilitytothinkcommerciallyandcreativelytodemonstratebusinessacumen,anddrawonevidencetomakeinformedbusinessdecisionsandsolvebusinessproblems
• developaseffectiveandindependentstudents,andascriticalandreflectivethinkerswithenquiringminds
• useanenquiring,criticalapproachtomakeinformedjudgements
• investigateandanalyserealbusinessopportunitiesandissuestoconstruct well-argued,well-evidenced,balancedandstructuredarguments,demonstrating theirdepthandbreadthofunderstanding of business
• developandapplyquantitativeskillsrelevant tobusiness,includingusingandinterpretingdata.
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1c. Whatarethekeyfeaturesofthisspecification?
ThekeyfeaturesofOCR’sGCSE(9–1)inBusinesswillenablelearnerstodevelop:
• an interest in business and entrepreneurial skills
• connectionsbetweentheoryandpracticesothat learners are able to apply their understandingofbusinesstorealorganisations
• aninformedapproachthatwillhelplearnerstoevaluatechoicesanddecisionsabouttheirownfutureworkinglives
• confidenceinusingbothqualitativeandquantitativedatatomakebusinessdecisions.
1d. WhatisnewinOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusiness?
ThissectionisintendedforteachersusingOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusiness.Ithighlightsthedifferencesbetweenthe GCSE in Business Studies (J253) and the GCSE
(9–1)inBusiness(J204)forfirstteachingfromSeptember2017:
What stays the same? What’schanging?
• Assessmentisattheendofthecourse• ThethreeAssessmentObjectivesremain
similarwith35%,35%,30%allocations• Contentandstructurearefamiliaralthough
updatedandstreamlined• Keytopicareashavestayedthesame• EngagingintroductiontoBusiness.
• Theassessmentconsistsoftwoexams, 90minuteseach
• Thereisnolongeranycontrolledassessmentorpre-releasestimulusmaterial
• Explicitapplicationandassessmentofquantitativeskills(minimumof10%ofoverallmarks)atthelevelofKeyStage3Maths
• Bothquestionpapershaveasectionwithmultiplechoicequestions
• Greaterfocusonbusinessdecisionmaking.
1e. HowdoIfindoutmoreinformation?
IfyouarealreadyusingOCRspecificationsyoucancontact us at: www.ocr.org.uk
IfyouarenotalreadyaregisteredOCRcentrethenyoucanfindoutmoreinformationonthebenefitsofbecomingoneat:www.ocr.org.uk
Ifyouarenotyetanapprovedcentreandwouldliketobecomeone,goto:www.ocr.org.uk
Wanttofindoutmore?
AskaSubjectAdvisor:
Email:[email protected]
Phone: 01223 553998
Twitter:@OCR_BusEcon
E-bulletins:www.ocr.org.uk/updates
Visit our Online Support Centre at support.ocr.org.uk
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2a. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Business (J204)
Learnerstakebothcomponents,01and02,tobeawardedtheOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusiness.
ContentOverview AssessmentOverview
• Businessactivity
• Marketing
• People
Business 1: businessactivity,marketingand
people (01)
80 Marks
1 Hour 30 Minutes paper
50%of totalGCSE
• Operations
• Finance
• Influencesonbusiness
• Theinterdependentnature of business
Business 2: operations,financeandinfluencesonbusiness (02)*
80 Marks
1 Hour 30 Minutes paper
50%of totalGCSE
*Indicatesinclusionofsynopticassessment.Seesection3g.
2 Thespecificationoverview
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2b. Content of GCSE (9–1) in Business (J204)
Inallofthefollowing,learnersarerequiredtoapplytheirknowledgeandunderstandingtoavarietyofdifferentbusinesscontextsinadynamicandcompetitiveenvironment.Theseincludebusinessesrangingfromsmallenterprisestolargemultinationalsandbusinessesoperatinginlocal,nationalandglobalcontexts.Learnersmustdevelopanunderstandingofhowthesecontextsimpactonbusinessbehaviour.
Learnersshouldbeabletomakedecisionsbasedontheanalysisandevaluationofinformationprovided.Learnersshouldbeabletorecognisetheuseandlimitationsofqualitativeandquantitativedatainbusinessdecisionmaking.
Knowledgeandunderstanding
Learnersarerequiredtoapplytheirknowledgeandunderstandingtobusinessdecisionmaking.Thisincludes:
• theinterdependentnatureofbusinessactivity,influencesonbusiness,businessoperations,finance,marketingandhumanresourcesandhow these interdependencies underpin businessdecisionmaking
• howdifferentbusinesscontextsaffectbusinessdecisions
• theuseandlimitationofquantitativedatainmakingbusinessdecisions.
Skills
Learnersarerequiredtodrawontheirknowledgeandunderstandingaboveto:
• usebusinessterminologytoidentifyandexplainbusinessactivity
• applybusinessconceptstofamiliarandunfamiliarcontexts
• developproblem-solvinganddecisionmakingskillsrelevanttobusiness
• investigate,analyseandevaluatebusinessopportunitiesandissues
• makejustifieddecisionsusingbothqualitativeandquantitativedata,includingitsselection,interpretation,analysisandevaluationand theapplicationofappropriatequantitativeskills.
PleaseseeAppendix5cfordetailsoftherangeandextentofquantitativeskillsrequired.
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Overviewofspecificationcontent
Business1:businessactivity,marketingandpeople(01) Business2:operations,financeandinfluencesonbusiness(02)
1.Businessactivity 1.1 Theroleofbusinessenterpriseandentrepreneurship
1.2 Businessplanning1.3 Business ownership1.4 Businessaimsandobjectives1.5 Stakeholders in business1.6 Businessgrowth
4.Operations 4.1 Productionprocesses4.2 Qualityofgoodsandservices4.3 Thesalesprocessandcustomerservice4.4 Consumerlaw4.5 Businesslocation4.6 Workingwithsuppliers
2.Marketing 2.1 Theroleofmarketing2.2 Market research 2.3 Marketsegmentation2.4 Themarketingmix
5. Finance 5.1 Theroleofthefinancefunction5.2 Sourcesoffinance5.3 Revenue,costs,profitandloss5.4 Break-even5.5 Cashandcashflow
3. People 3.1 Theroleofhumanresources3.2 Organisationalstructuresanddifferentways
ofworking3.3 Communicationinbusiness3.4 Recruitmentandselection3.5 Motivationandretention3.6 Traininganddevelopment3.7 Employmentlaw
6.Influencesonbusiness 6.1 Ethicalandenvironmentalconsiderations6.2 Theeconomicclimate6.3 Globalisation
7.Theinterdependentnatureofbusiness
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2c. ContentofBusiness1:businessactivity,marketingandpeople(J204/01)
Thiscomponentintroduceslearnerstobusinessconceptsandissuesconcerningtheactivitiesofabusiness.Itexploresthepurposeandroleofabusinessfromfirstspottinganenterprisingopportunitythroughtothegrowthofanestablishedbusiness.Ittakesacloserlookattheroleofmarketingandhumanresources.
Therearethreesectionscoveringcontent–section1:businessactivity,section2:marketingandsection3:people.Contentfromthesethreesectionswillbe
assessedincomponent01.Throughoutthiscomponentlearnerswillneedtoconsiderhowdifferentcontextsaffectbusinessdecisions.
1.Businessactivity
Inthissection,learnersexplorehowandwhybusinessesstartandgrow.Knowledgeandunderstandingofbusinessactivitymustincludethefollowing:
Topic Content Points to include
1.1Theroleofbusinessenterpriseandentrepreneurship
• Thepurposeofbusinessactivityandenterprise
• Characteristicsofanentrepreneur
• Theconceptofriskandreward
spottinganopportunity,developinganideaforabusiness,satisfyingtheneedsofcustomers
creativity,risktaking,determination,confidence
1.2Businessplanning • Thepurposeofplanningbusinessactivity
• Therole,importanceandusefulnessofabusinessplan
reducingrisk,helpingabusinesstosucceed
identifyingmarkets,helpwithobtainingfinance,identifyingresourcesabusinessneedstooperate,achievingbusinessaimsandobjectives
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Topic Content Points to include
1.3Businessownership • Thefeaturesofdifferenttypesofbusinessownership
• Theconceptoflimitedliability
• Thesuitabilityofdifferingtypesofownershipindifferentbusinesscontexts
soletraders,partnerships,privateandpubliclimitedcompanies
start-ups and established businesses
1.4 Business aims and objectives
• Theaimsandobjectivesofbusiness
• Howandwhyobjectivesmightchangeasbusinessesevolve
• Whydifferentbusinessesmayhavedifferentobjectives
profit,survival,growth,providingaservice,marketshare
1.5Stakeholdersinbusiness
• Therolesandobjectivesofinternalandexternalstakeholdergroups
• Theeffectbusinessactivityhasonstakeholders
• Theeffectstakeholdershaveonbusiness
owners,employees,customers,suppliers,government,localcommunity
1.6Businessgrowth • Organicgrowth
• Externalgrowth
increasingoutput,gainingnewcustomers,developingnewproducts,increasingmarketshare
mergers,takeovers-includinghorizontal,vertical,diversification
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2.Marketing
Inthissection,learnersexplorethepurposeandroleofmarketingwithin businessandhowitinfluencesbusinessactivityandthedecisionsbusinesses
take.Knowledgeandunderstandingofmarketingmustincludethe following:
Topic Content Points to include
2.1Theroleofmarketing • Thepurposeofmarketingwithinbusiness theimportancetoabusinessofidentifyingandunderstandingitscustomers,informingcustomers,increasingsales
2.2Marketresearch • Thepurposeofmarketresearch
• Primaryresearchmethods
• Secondary research sources
• Howappropriatedifferentmethodsandsourcesofmarketresearcharefordifferentbusinesspurposes
• Theuseandinterpretationofqualitativeandquantitativedatainmarketresearch
identifyingandunderstandingcustomerneeds
questionnaires,interviews,trialling,focusgroups
newspapersandmagazines,census,websites,internaldata
2.3Marketsegmentation • Theuseofsegmentationtotargetcustomers age,gender,income,location,lifestyle
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Topic Content Points to include
2.4Themarketingmix • The‘fourPs’ofthemarketingmixandtheirimportance
•• Product
•• Product-stagesoftheproductlifecycle
•• Pricingmethods
•• Promotion-pointofsale
•• Promotion-advertising
•• Place-distributionofproductsandservices
• HowthefourPsofthemarketingmixworktogether
• Theuseofthemarketingmixtoinformandimplementbusiness decisions
• Interpretationofmarketdata
price,product,place,promotion
design,invention,innovation
introduction,growth,maturity,decline
skimming,cost-plus,penetration,competitor,promotional
pricereductions,lossleaders,competitions,freesamples
socialmedia,websites,printmedia,television,radio
digitalandphysicaldistributionchannels
changesindemand,targetmarketandmarketshare,changesinproductandeffectsofpromotion
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3. People
Inthissection,learnersexplorethepurposeandroleofhumanresources withinbusinessandhowitinfluencesbusinessactivityandthedecisions
businessestake.Knowledgeandunderstandingofpeoplemustinclude thefollowing:
Topic Content Points to include
3.1Theroleofhumanresources • Thepurposeofhumanresourcesinbusiness identifyingandmeetingthehumanresourceneedsofabusiness
3.2Organisationalstructuresand differentwaysofworking
• Differentorganisationalstructures
• Theterminologyoforganisationcharts
• Whybusinesseshavedifferentorganisationalstructures
• Waysofworking
tall,flat
spanofcontrol,chainofcommand,delegation,subordinates,authority
importanceofeffectivecommunication,differentjobrolesandresponsibilities,differentwaysofworking
full-time,part-time,flexibleworking,temporarywork,workingfromhome,workingwhilstmobile,self-employed
3.3Communicationinbusiness • Waysofcommunicatinginabusinesscontext
• Theimportanceofbusinesscommunications
• Theinfluenceofdigitalcommunicationonbusinessactivity
letter,email,text,phone,meeting/presentation,socialmedia,website
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Topic Content Points to include
3.4Recruitmentandselection
• Why businesses recruit
• Theuseofdifferentrecruitmentmethodstomeetdifferentbusiness needs
• Methodsofselection
replaceemployeeswholeave,businessgrowth,skillgaps
internalmethods,externalmethods,jobdescriptionandpersonspecification
CV,applicationform,letterofapplication,interviews,tests,groupactivities,references
3.5Motivationandretention
• Financialmethodsofmotivation
• Non-financialmethodsofmotivation
• Theimportanceofemployeemotivation
• Theimportanceofemployeeretention
pay,bonuses,profitsharing,fringebenefits
praise,awardschemes,workingenvironment
improvedemployeeperformance,helpsemployeeretention
alreadyfamiliarwithbusinessandcustomers,savestimeandexpenseofrecruitment
3.6Traininganddevelopment
• Differenttrainingmethods
• Why businesses train their workers
• Staffdevelopment
• Thebenefitstoemployeesandbusinessesofstaffdevelopment
induction,on-the-job,off-the-job
developmentofthebusiness,improveproductivity,skillshortages,customerservice,motivationandretention
vocationalandacademicqualifications,apprenticeships
3.7Employmentlaw • Theimpactofcurrentlegislationonrecruitmentandemployment
discrimination,employees’righttoacontract,holidays,hours of work
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2c. ContentofBusiness2:operations,financeandinfluencesonbusiness(J204/02)
Thiscomponenttakesacloserlookattheroleofoperationsandfinanceandintroduceslearnerstoexternalinfluencesonbusiness.Itexplorestheimportanceoftheseinfluencesandhowbusinesseschangeinresponsetothem.Finally,learnerswillusecontentfrombothcomponent01andcomponent02tomakeconnectionsbetweendifferentelementsofthesubject.
Therearefoursectionscoveringcontent–section4:operations,section5:finance,section6:influencesonbusinessandsection7:theinterdependentnatureof
business.Contentfromallthesesectionswillbeassessedincomponent02. LearnerswillalsoberequiredtodrawoncontentfromBusiness1:businessactivity,marketingandhumanresourcestoanswersynopticquestionsinsectionBofthecomponent02examination.
Throughoutthiscomponentlearnerswillneedtoconsiderhowdifferentcontextsaffectbusinessdecisions.
4.Operations
Inthissection,learnersexplorewhatbusinessoperationsinvolve,theirrolewithintheproductionofgoodsandtheprovisionofservices,andhowtheyinfluence
businessactivity.Knowledgeandunderstandingofbusinessoperationsmustincludethefollowing:
Topic Content Points to include
4.1Productionprocesses • Differentproductionprocessesandtheirimpactonbusinesses
• Theinfluenceoftechnologyonproductionandtheimpactonbusinesses
job,batch,flow
automation,computersandrobotics
4.2Qualityofgoodsandservices • Theconceptofquality
• Methodsofensuringquality
• Theimportanceofqualityinboththeproductionofgoodsandtheprovisionofservices
qualitycontrol,qualityassurance
reputationofthebusiness,togainandretaincustomers,reduce product returns and recalls
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Topic Content Points to include
4.3Thesalesprocessandcustomerservice
• Methodsofselling
• Theinfluenceofe-commerceonbusinessactivity
• Theimportancetoabusinessofgoodcustomerserviceincludingafter-salesservice
• Thecontributionofproductknowledgeandcustomerengagementtogoodcustomerservice
e-commerce,facetoface,telesales
togainandretaincustomers
4.4Consumerlaw • Theimpactofconsumerlawonbusinesses reputationofthebusiness,safetyandsatisfactoryqualityofgoods
4.5Businesslocation • Factorsinfluencingbusinesslocation costs,theproximitytomarket,labourandmaterials
4.6Workingwithsuppliers • Theroleofprocurement
• Theimpactoflogisticalandsupplydecisionsonbusinesses
identifyinggoodsandservicestobuy,choosingsuppliers,orderinggoodsandservices,receivingdeliveriesfromsuppliers
time,lengthofsupplychain,reliabilityofsupply,costs,customerservice
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5. Finance
Inthissection,learnersexplorethepurposeofthefinancefunction,itsroleinbusinessandhowitinfluencesbusinessactivity.Knowledgeandunderstandingoffinancemustincludethefollowing:
Topic Content Points to include
5.1Theroleofthefinancefunction
• Thepurposeofthefinancefunction
• Theinfluenceofthefinancefunctiononbusinessactivity
providefinancialinformation,supportbusinessplanninganddecisionmaking
5.2Sourcesoffinance • Thereasonsbusinessesneedfinance
• Waysofraisingfinance
• Howandwhydifferentsourcesoffinancearesuitablefornew and established businesses
establishinganewbusiness,fundingexpansion,torunthebusiness,recruitment,marketing
loan,overdraft,tradecredit,retainedprofit,saleofassets,owners’capital,newpartner,shareissue,crowdfunding
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Topic Content Points to include
5.3Revenue,costs,profitandloss
• Theconceptofrevenue,costsandprofitandlossinbusinessandtheirimportanceinbusinessdecision- making
• Thedifferentcostsinoperatingabusiness
• Calculationofcostsandrevenue
• Calculationofprofit/loss
• Calculationandinterpretationofprofitabilityratios
• Calculationandinterpretationofaveragerateofreturn
fixed,variable,total
grossprofit,netprofit
grossprofitmargin,netprofitmargin
5.4Break-even • Theconceptofbreak-even
• Simplecalculationofbreak-evenquantity
• Theusefulnessofbreak-eveninbusinessdecision- making
totalcosts=totalrevenue
informsmarketingandplanningdecisions
5.5Cashandcashflow • Theimportanceofcashtoabusiness
• Thedifferencebetweencashandprofit
• Theusefulnessofcashflowforecastingtoabusiness
• Completionofcashflowforecasts
providingliquidity,enablesbusinesstomeetshort-termdebts/expenses
planningtool,anticipatesperiodsofcashshortage,enablesremediestobeputinplaceforshortages,providestargets
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Inthissection,learnersexploretheimportanceofexternalinfluencesonbusinessandhowbusinesseschangeinresponsetotheseinfluences.Knowledgeandunderstandingofinfluencesonbusinessmustincludethefollowing:
6.Influencesonbusiness
Topic Content Points to include
6.1Ethicalandenvironmentalconsiderations
• Ethicalconsiderationsandtheirimpactonbusinesses
• Environmentalconsiderationsandtheirimpactonbusinesses
treatmentofworkers/suppliers/customers,sourcingofmaterials,marketingdecisions
sustainability,wastedisposal,pollution,climatechange
6.2 The economic climate • Theeconomicclimateanditsimpactonbusinesses changinglevelsofconsumerincomeandunemployment
6.3Globalisation • Theconceptofglobalisation
• Theimpactofglobalisationonbusinesses thegrowthofmultinationalcompanies,influencesonbusinesslocation,internationalbranding,howbusinessescompeteinternationally
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7.Theinterdependentnatureofbusiness
Inthissection,learnerswillneedtousecontentfrombothcomponent01andcomponent02tomakeconnectionsbetweendifferentelementsofthesubject.Theywillneedtodrawtogetherknowledge,skillsandunderstandingfromdifferent
partsoftheGCSE(9–1)courseandapplytheirknowledgetobusinessdecision-makingwithinabusinesscontext.Theirknowledgeandunderstandingmustincludethefollowing:
Content
• theinterdependentnatureofbusinessoperations,finance,marketingandhumanresourceswithinabusinesscontext
• howtheseinterdependenciesunderpinbusinessdecisionmaking
• theimpactofriskandrewardonbusinessactivity
• theuseoffinancialinformationinmeasuringandunderstandingbusinessperformanceanddecisionmaking.
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2d. Priorknowledge,learningandprogression
Nopriorlearningorknowledgeofbusinessisrequired.LearnerswhoarebeginningaGCSE(9–1)inBusinesscoursemighthavestudiedsomeaspectsofpersonalfinanceduringPSHE.
ThequalificationprovidestheidealfoundationforlearnerstoprogresstoASlevelandALevelBusinessorotherareasofvocationalstudy.
ThereareanumberofBusinessspecificationsat OCR.Findoutmoreat:www.ocr.org.uk/Business
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3a. Formsofassessment
TheGCSE(9–1)inBusinessisalinearqualificationwith100%externalassessment.
OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Business consists of two examinedcomponentsthatareexternallyassessed.
Eachcomponentcarriesanequalweightingof50%oftheGCSE(9–1)qualification.Eachexaminationhasadurationof1hourand30minutes.
3 Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Business
AssessmentObjective Commandwords
AO1 Demonstrateknowledgeandunderstandingofbusinessconcepts and issues
Identify,State, Explain
AO2 Applyknowledgeandunderstandingofbusinessconceptsandissuestoavarietyofcontexts
Calculate,Complete,Explain
AO3 Analyseandevaluatebusinessinformationandissuestodemonstrateunderstandingofbusinessactivity,makejudgementsanddrawconclusions
Analyse,Discuss,Evaluate,Recommend
Identify and staterequireslearnerstodemonstrateknowledge.
Explainreferstotheabilitytodemonstrateand/orapplyknowledgeandunderstanding.
Calculate and complete refer to the ability to apply quantitativeskillsasoutlinedinAppendix5cofthespecification.
Analyse encompassestheabilityto‘explain’andreferstotheabilitytopresentlogicalchainsofreasoning.
Discuss andevaluateencompasstheabilitytoexplainandtoanalyseandreferstotheabilitytoweighupbothsidesoftheargument,orcomparealternatives,andtocometoasupportedjudgement.
Recommend referstotheabilitytomakeasupportedjudgement.
Commandwords
SectionBinbothcomponentsisassessedusingthecommandwordsbelowtosignifythehighestlevelofskill required.
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Business1:businessactivity,marketingandpeople(01)
Thiscomponentisworth80marks,splitintotwosectionsandassessescontentfrombusinessactivity,marketingandhumanresources.
SectionAcontainsmultiplechoicequestions.Thissectionofthecomponentisworth15marks.
SectionBincludesshort,mediumandextendedresponsestylequestionswhichusestimulusmaterialthatdrawsonrealbusinesscontexts.Thissection ofthecomponentisworth65marks.
Business2:operations,financeandinfluencesonbusiness(02)
Thiscomponentisworth80marks,splitintotwosectionsandassessescontentfromoperations,financeandinfluencesonbusiness.Thiscomponentassumesknowledgeofbusinessactivity,marketingandhumanresources.
SectionAcontainsmultiplechoicequestions.Thissectionofthecomponentisworth15marks.
SectionBincludesshort,mediumandextendedresponse-stylequestionswhichusestimulusmaterialthatdrawsonrealbusinesscontexts.Thissection ofthecomponentisworth65marks.SynopticquestionsareincludedinsectionB.
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3b. Assessmentobjectives(AO)
TherearethreeAssessmentObjectivesinOCR’sGCSE(9–1)inBusiness.Thesearedetailedinthe table below.
Learnersareexpectedtodemonstratetheirability to:
AssessmentObjective
AO1 Demonstrateknowledgeandunderstandingofbusinessconceptsandissues
AO2 Applyknowledgeandunderstandingofbusinessconceptsandissuestoavarietyofcontexts
AO3Analyseandevaluatebusinessinformationandissuestodemonstrateunderstandingofbusinessactivity,makejudgementsanddrawconclusions
3c. AOweightingsinOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusiness
TherelationshipbetweentheAssessmentObjectivesandthecomponentsareshowninthefollowingtable:
Component%ofoverallGCSE(9–1)inBusiness(J204)
AO1 AO2 AO3
Business1:businessactivity,marketingandpeople(J204/01)
16–19% 16–19% 14–16%
Business2:operations,financeandinfluencesonbusiness(J204/02)
16–19% 16–19% 14–16%
Total 35% 35% 30%
Inaddition,learnerswillberequiredtodemonstratecompetenceinthequantitativeskillswithinthecontextofotherareasoftheGCSE(9–1)inBusiness
andnotinisolation.Atleast10%ofthetotalmarksforthequalificationwillrewardtheuseofquantitativeskillsasdetailedinAppendix5c.
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3d. Assessmentavailability
TherewillbeoneexaminationseriesavailableeachyearinMay/Junetoall learners.
Allexaminedcomponentsmustbetakeninthesameexaminationseriesattheendofthecourse.
ThisspecificationwillbecertificatedfromtheJune2019examinationseriesonwards.
3e. Retakingthequalification
Learnerscanretakethequalificationasmanytimesastheywish.Theymustretakeallcomponentsofthequalification.
3f. Assessmentofextendedresponse
Extendedresponsequestionswhicharemarkedusingalevelofresponsemarkschemeareincludedinallexternallyassessedcomponents.
Theassessmentmaterialsforthisqualificationprovidelearnerswiththeopportunitytodemonstratetheirabilitytoconstructanddevelopasustainedandcoherentlineofreasoningandmarksforextendedresponsesareintegratedintothemarkingcriteria.
3g. Synopticassessment
• Synopticassessmentisthelearners’understandingoftheconnectionsbetweendifferentelementsofthesubject.Itinvolvestheexplicitdrawingtogetherofknowledge,skillsandunderstandingindifferentpartsofthe GCSE (9–1) course.
• Theemphasisofsynopticassessmentistoencouragetheunderstandingofbusinessasadiscipline.
• SynopticassessmentisafeatureoftheGCSE(9–1)qualification.SynopticassessmentisfoundintheBusiness2:operations,financeandinfluencesonbusinesscomponentwherelearners will be required to draw upon the fullrangeofcontentfromthespecification toansweratleasttwoofthequestionsinsectionB.
3h. Calculatingqualificationresults
Alearner’soverallqualificationgradeforOCRGCSE(9–1)inBusinesswillbecalculatedbyaddingtogethertheirmarksfromthetwocomponentstakentogivetheirtotalweightedmark.Thismarkwillthenbecomparedtothequalificationlevelgrade
boundariesfortheentryoptiontakenbythelearnerandfortherelevantexaminationseriestodeterminethelearner’soverallqualificationgrade.
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Theinformationinthissectionisdesignedtogiveanoverviewoftheprocessesinvolvedinadministeringthisqualificationsothatyoucanspeaktoyourexaminationsofficer.AllofthefollowingprocessesrequireyoutosubmitsomethingtoOCRbyaspecificdeadline.
MoreinformationabouttheseprocessesanddeadlinesinvolvedateachstageoftheassessmentcyclecanbefoundintheAdministrationareaoftheOCR website.
OCR's Admin overviewisavailableontheOCRwebsite at www.ocr.org.uk/administration.
4a. Pre-assessment
Estimatedentries
Estimatedentriesareyourbestprojectionofthenumberoflearnerswhowillbeenteredforaqualificationinaparticularseries.Estimatedentries
shouldbesubmittedtoOCRbythespecifieddeadline.Theyarefreeanddonotcommityourcentre in any way.
Finalentries
FinalentriesprovideOCRwithdetaileddataforeachlearner,showingeachassessmenttobetaken.Itisessentialthatyouusethecorrectentrycode,consideringtherelevantentryrules.
FinalentriesmustbesubmittedtoOCRbythepublished deadlines or late entry fees will apply.
AlllearnerstakingaGCSE(9–1)inBusinessmust be entered for J204.
4 Admin:whatyouneedtoknow
Entrycode Title Component code Componenttitle Assessment type
J204 Business
01Business 1: business
activity,marketingandpeople
ExternalAssessment
02Business2:operations,financeandinfluences
on business
ExternalAssessment
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4b. Specialconsideration
Specialconsiderationisapost-assessmentadjustmenttomarksorgradestoreflecttemporaryinjury,illnessorotherindispositionatthetimetheassessmentwastaken.
DetailedinformationabouteligibilityforspecialconsiderationcanbefoundintheJCQpublication A guide to the special consideration process.
4c. Externalassessmentarrangements
Regulationsgoverningexaminationarrangementsarecontained in the JCQ Instructions for conducting examinations.
Learnersarepermittedtouseascientificorgraphicalcalculator for bothcomponents.CalculatorsaresubjecttotherulesinthedocumentInstructions for conducting examinations published annually by JCQ (www.jcq.org.uk).
Headofcentreannualdeclaration
TheHeadofCentreisrequiredtoprovideadeclarationtotheJCQaspartoftheannualNCNupdate,conductedintheautumnterm,toconfirmthatthecentreismeetingalloftherequirementsdetailedinthespecification.
AnyfailurebyacentretoprovidetheHeadofCentreAnnualDeclarationwillresultinyourcentrestatusbeingsuspendedandcouldleadtothewithdrawalofourapprovalforyoutooperateasacentre.
Privatecandidates
PrivatecandidatesmayenterforOCRassessments.
Aprivatecandidateissomeonewhopursuesacourseofstudyindependentlybuttakesanexaminationorassessmentatanapprovedexaminationcentre.Aprivatecandidatemaybeapart-timestudent,someonetakingadistancelearningcourse,orsomeonebeingtutoredprivately.TheymustbebasedintheUK.
PrivatecandidatesneedtocontactOCRapprovedcentres to establish whether they are prepared to hostthemasaprivatecandidate.ThecentremaychargeforthisfacilityandOCRrecommendsthatthearrangementismadeearlyinthecourse.
Furtherguidanceforprivatecandidatesmaybefoundon the OCR website: http://www.ocr.org.uk
4d. Resultsandcertificates
GradeScale
GCSE(9–1)qualificationsaregradedonthescale:9–1,where9isthehighest.Learnerswhofailtoreachtheminimumstandardof1willbeUnclassified(U).
Onlysubjectsinwhichgrades9to1areattainedwillberecordedoncertificates.
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Results
Results are released to centres and learners for informationandtoallowanyqueriestoberesolvedbeforecertificatesareissued.
Centreswillhaveaccesstothefollowingresultsinformationforeachlearner:
• thegradeforthequalification
• therawmarkforeachcomponent
• thetotalweightedmarkforthequalification.
Thefollowingsupportinginformationwillbeavailable:
• rawmarkgradeboundariesforeachcomponent
• weightedmarkgradeboundariesforthequalification.
Untilcertificatesareissued,resultsaredeemedtobeprovisionalandmaybesubjecttoamendment.
Alearner’sfinalresultswillberecordedonanOCRcertificate.Thequalificationtitlewillbeshown onthecertificateas‘OCRLevel1/Level2GCSE(9–1)in Business’.
4e. Post-resultsservices
Anumberofpost-resultsservicesareavailable:
• Reviewofresults – If you are not happy with theoutcomeofalearner’sresults,centresmayrequestareviewofmarking.
• Missingandincompleteresults–Thisserviceshouldbeusedifanindividualsubjectresultforalearnerismissing,orthelearnerhasbeenomittedentirelyfromtheresultssupplied.
• Accesstoscripts – Centres can request access toamarkedscript.
4f. Malpractice
Anybreachoftheregulationsfortheconductofexaminationsandnon-examinedassessmentmayconstitutemalpractice(whichincludesmaladministration)andmustbereportedtoOCRassoon as it is detected.
DetailedinformationonmalpracticecanbefoundintheJCQpublicationSuspected Malpractice in Examinations and Assessments: Policies and Procedures.
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5a. Overlapwithotherqualifications
ThereisnosignificantoverlapbetweenthecontentofthisspecificationandthoseforotherGCSEqualifications.
5b. Accessibility
Reasonableadjustmentsandaccessarrangementsallowlearnerswithspecialeducationalneeds,disabilitiesortemporaryinjuriestoaccesstheassessmentandshowwhattheyknowandcando,withoutchangingthedemandsoftheassessment.Applicationsfortheseshouldbemadebeforetheexaminationseries.Detailedinformationabouteligibilityforaccessarrangementscanbefound in the JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments.
TheGCSE(9–1)qualificationandsubjectcriteriahavebeenreviewedinordertoidentifyanyfeaturewhichcoulddisadvantagelearnerswhoshareaprotectedcharacteristicasdefinedbytheEqualityAct2010. Allreasonablestepshavebeentakentominimiseanysuchdisadvantage.
5 Appendices
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5c. Quantitativeskillsrequirement
Useofquantitativeskills
ThelistbelowstatestherangeandextentofmathematicaltechniquesappropriatetoGCSE(9–1)inBusiness.Learnersmustdrawontheknowledgeandunderstandinginsection2ofthespecificationtoapplytheseskillstorelevantbusinesscontexts.
Calculation
Calculationsinabusinesscontext,including:
• percentagesandpercentagechanges
• averages
• revenue,costsandprofit
• grossprofitmarginandnetprofitmarginratios
• averagerateofreturn
• cashflowforecasts,includingtotalcosts,totalrevenueandnetcashflow.
Interpretation
Interpretationanduseofquantitativedatainbusinesscontextstosupport,informandjustifybusinessdecisions,including:
• informationfromgraphsandcharts
• profitabilityratios(grossprofitmarginandnetprofitmargin)
• financialdata,includingprofitandloss,averagerateofreturnandcashflowforecasts
• marketingdata,includingmarketresearchdata
• marketdata,includingmarketshare,changesincostsandchangesinprices.
Atleast10%ofthetotalmarksforthequalificationwillrewardtheuseofquantitativeskillsatalevelofdemandwhichisnotlowerthanthatwhichisexpectedoflearnersatKeyStage3asoutlinedintheDepartmentforEducation’sdocumentMathematics programmes of study: Key Stage 3,documentreference DFE-00179-2013.
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Summaryofupdates
Date Version Section TitleofSection ChangeApril 2018 1.1 i) FrontCover
ii) 4di) Disclaimerii) ResultsandCertificates:
Results
i) AdditionofDisclaimerii) AmendtoCertificationTitling
January 2020 1.2 1e
4e
HowdoIfindoutmoreinformation?
Post-resultsservices
RemovelinktoSocialforumandreplace with link for Online Support Centre
AmendEnquiriesaboutresultstoreviewofresults
February 2021 1.3 Updatetospecificationcoverstomeetdigitalaccessibilitystandards
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Our aim is to provide you with all the information and support you need to deliver our specifications.
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