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:Business@ocr.org.uk

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

31© OCR 2021 GCSE (9–1) in Business

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GCSE (9–1) in Business

Our aim is to provide you with all the information and support you need to deliver our specifications.

o Bookmark OCR website for all the latest resources, information and news on GCSE (9-1) Business

o Be among the first to hear about support materials and resources as they become available – register for GCSE Business

o Find out about our professional development

o View our range of skills guides for use across subjects and qualifications

o Discover our new online past paper service

o Learn more about Active Results

o Visit our Online Support Centre

YOUR CHECKLIST

Download high-quality, exciting and innovative GCSE (9-1) Business resources from ocr.org.uk/gcsebusinessResources and support for our GCSE (9-1) Business qualification, developed through collaboration between our Business Subject Advisors, teachers and other subject experts, are available from our website. You can also contact our Business Subject Advisors who can give you specialist advice, guidance and support.

Contact the team at:

01223 553998

business@ocr.org.uk

@OCRexams

To stay up to date with all the relevant news about our qualifications, register for email updates at ocr.org.uk/updates

Visit our Online Support Centre at support.ocr.org.uk

This document was initially designed for print and as such does not reach accessibility standard WCAG 2.1 in a number of ways including missing text alternatives and missing document structure. If you need this document in a different format contact us telling us your name, email address and requirements and we will respond within 15 working days.

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