AS Business_{DRAFT 7137}

1.1 Why choose AQA for AS and A-level Business

Dynamic and engaging content

We have a long history and proven track record of providing high quality, successful Business qualifications that we have continued to improve through teacher feedback, operational experience and by working closely with universities and the wider academic community.

By taking a holistic approach to the subject, we demonstrate the interrelated nature of business using business models, concepts and techniques to support analysis of contemporary business issues and situations to provide a dynamic specification.

Our content is designed to engage students through topics and issues that are relevant in today’s society – they will study key contemporary developments such as digital technology, impact of business on the environment, business ethics, modern workplace practices and globalisation is covered throughout the topics

Real life skills

Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyse data, think critically about issues and make informed decisions – all skills that are needed for further study and employment.

Assessment success

Our question papers use consistent question types and command words and the same structure across the papers. The question types will drive skills such as problem-solving, decision-making and critical analysis. Real life case studies will be used and all questions will be asked within business context to make it easier for students to relate to and apply their knowledge and skills developed throughout the course.

Teach AS and A-level together

Our AS is fully co-teachable with the first year of A-level, helping you with resourcing and timetabling and providing students with the option to continue studying the full A-level.

Comprehensive support

We offer a comprehensive range of support and resources to support your planning, teaching and assessment of our specifications through direct contact with our business subject team, our website, teacher CPD courses and work with publishers. At AQA, we help your students get the results they deserve, from the exam board you can trust. Learn more about all our Business qualifications at aqa.org.uk/business

You can find out about all our Business qualifications at aqa.org.uk/business

1.2 Support and resources to help you teach

We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams.

Teaching resources

Visit aqa.org.uk/7138 to see all our teaching resources. They include:

• flexible sample schemes of work to help you plan for course delivery in your own way
• individual teaching guides and lesson slides on specific topic areas to assist you in providing continuity and progression in teaching
• student textbooks and e-learning materials that have been scrutinised by AQA
• training courses to help you deliver AQA Business qualifications
• subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration.

Preparing for exams

Visit aqa.org.uk/7138 for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including:

• past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports
• Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions
• example student answers with examiner commentaries.

Analyse your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)

Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at aqa.org.uk/era

For information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit aqa.org.uk/results

Keep your skills up-to-date with professional development

Time in the classroom is precious, but we understand that as your career develops, the skills and knowledge you need may change. As well as subject-specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills.

• Feedback sessions to understand how students have performed in this year’s exams.
• Virtual communities where you can chat to teachers in your subject area about what’s important to you.

This is just the start. Our events calendar is full of different ways for you to learn, understand and be inspired. Find out more at aqa.org.uk/professional-development .

Help and support

Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at aqa.org.uk/7138

If you'd like us to share news and information about this qualification, sign up for emails and updates at aqa.org.uk/from-2017

Alternatively, you can call or email our subject team direct.

E: business-studies@aqa.org.uk

T: 01483 477 862

1.3 Draft specification

This draft qualification has not yet been accredited by Ofqual. It is published to enable teachers to have early sight of our proposed approach to AS and A-level Business . Further changes may be required and no assurance can be given that this proposed qualification will be made available in its current form, or that it will be accredited in time for first teaching in 09 2025 and first award in 08 2026 .