In Year 10 and 11 students follow the GCSE Edexcel Business (1BS0) specification.

How are you assessed?
The course comprises of two themes:

Theme 1: Investigating small business (Paper code: 1BS0/01) Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes - 50% of the qualification (90 marks)

Theme 2: Building a business (Paper code: 1BS0/02) Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes - 50% of the qualification (90 marks)

Both examinations will be 1 hour 30 minutes long and will include multiple choice, short and extended writing questions that are based around. Both themes are compulsory and there is no longer any controlled assessment.

Year 10 (Theme 1)

• Dynamic nature of business
• Adding value
• Identify a gap in the market
• Market research
• The competitive environment
• Finance – revenue, costs, profit and cash flow
• Break-even analysis
• Financing sources for business
• Business plans
• Legislation
• Impact of the economy – unemployment, inflation, interest rates and exchange rates

Year 11 (Theme 2)

• Internal growth and external growth through mergers and takeovers
• Types of business ownership – PLC, Ltd. and sole traders
• Stock market flotation to raise finance
• Globalisation
• Exports, tariffs and trade blocs
• Internet and e-commerce
• Ethical considerations
• Product life cycle
• Pricing strategies
• Managing stock
• Finance – gross and net profit, profit margins and average rate of return
• Business performance analysis
• Organisational structure