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Exam focus Unit 3
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Exam Focus IALUnit 3 Managing Business Activities
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Page 1 of 42
, Contents page
Exam Support
Marks available in the Exam paper 3
Demonstrating chains of analysis 4
Developing Chains of analysis/interrelated knowledge 5
Analyse (6 marks) 6
Discuss (8 marks) 7
Assess (10 marks) 8
Evaluate (20 marks) 9
Sample Examination questions
Section 1 – Business objectives & strategy 10
Section 2 – Business growth 11-19
Section 3 – Decision making techniques 20-22
Section 4 – Influences on business decisions 23-54
Section 5 – Assessing competitiveness 25-30
Section 6 – Managing change 31-33
Sample answers with running commentary 20, 8 & 12 mark questions 34-42
Page 2 of 42
,The examination paper consists of THREE sections and 80 marks.
SECTION A SECTION B SECTION C
Calculate = 4 marks Evaluate = 20 marks Evaluate = 20 marks
Explain = 4 marks
Discuss = 8 marks
Assess = 12 marks
Assess = 12 marks
40 marks 20 marks 20 marks
Levels based mark schemes - How to award marks
Finding the right level
The first stage is to decide which level the answer should be placed in. To do this, use a
‘best-fit’ approach, deciding which level most closely describes the quality of the answer.
Answers can display characteristics from more than one level, and where this happens
markers must use the guidance below and their professional judgement to decide which level is most
appropriate.
Placing a mark within a level
After a level has been decided on, the next stage is to decide on the mark within the level. The
instructions below tell you how to reward responses within a level. However, where a level has specific
guidance about how to place an answer within a level, always follow that guidance. Statements relating to
the treatment of students who do not fully meet the requirements of the question are also shown in the
indicative content section of each levels based mark scheme. These statements should be considered
alongside the levels Descriptors.
Page 3 of 42
, Understanding the exam paper
4 marks – Construct, Calculate, Explain - (1 knowledge, 2 application, 1 analysis marks)
Calculate • A ‘calculate’ question requires you to perform a calculation, based on given data.
Calculations may be used and workings should be given.
Explain • An ‘explain’ question requires you to provide a brief explanation of cause or effect,
which is supported by details or example(s).
• 1 mark for knowledge, 2 marks for application, 1 mark for analysis
This is a level based response and follow the best fit approach when deciding on a level. (level of detail gives the
marks).
8 marks – Discuss
Discuss • The answers need BALANCE. Even if the question asks you to discuss the benefits, the
drawbacks would also need to be discussed.
• E.g. ‘discuss the benefits…’, you are still expected to balance your answer, e.g. explain why it
might not be a benefit.
• To get into Level 3, you are expected to have well-contextualised answers that have logical
chains of reasoning with balance. (2 chains that are contextualised need to be developed)
• No conclusion is needed for an 8 mark question
12 marks – Assess
Assess • These are levels of response questions that need to be ‘wide-ranging’, have ‘a coherent chain
of reasoning’ and ‘supported judgement’. (3-4 concepts, points are –‘wide ranging’).
• To get into Level 4 with assess questions, the answers must be wide ranging, so there must be
more than one argument for and against (two arguments for and against).
• Answer has to be well contextualised, so copying large pieces of unsupported information
from the case study will not be enough to get into Level 4. You must do something with the
information you have selected from the case study, i.e. develop a Context should also be used on both
sides of the argument and at every opportunity in order to be well contextualised.
• Context should also be used on both sides of the argument and at every opportunity in order
to be well contextualised.
• To ‘assess’ means to ‘balance’, so there should be a counter-argument to the answers.
• You must provide a conclusion (judgement) with a 12 mark question
Section B/C - 20 marks
Evaluate • You are likely to be given two options and you will need to make a recommendation or give a
solution to a problem.
• Both options should be evaluated using the context from the case study, with well-developed
chains of reasoning and wide-ranging arguments.
• Definitions aren’t needed, but they could help show good knowledge and understanding.
1. Introduction – demonstrate knowledge of the concepts being assessed, try to contextualise
this towards the case study.
2. 1st point in favour of option, with analytical point on cause/consequence of the business with
chain of reasoning presented in the argument.
3. 1st point counter balanced – offer a counter-argument that is supported well with the context
4. 2nd point in favour of option – as per point 1
5. 2nd point counter balanced – As per point 1
6. Conclusion and recommendation - Offer a solid conclusion with new information that
supports your judgement and impact on the business. Break up your judgement in term of behaviors
that need to be considered in the short-term and long term.
Page 4 of 42
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