Overview
The ‘A’ question 4 part answer has two main variations. You may be asked to apply to the case study.
⏰ Timing | 🎓Assessment | % Final Grade |
8 mins | Knowledge 4 marks Application 4 marks OR Analysis 4 marks | 10% |
Four part ‘A’ questions on Paper 2 always require 4 knowledge points, but the explanation may require application or analysis.
In the first example there is no reference to the case study in the question. Therefore, you can explain without any reference to the case study.
There are two main variations of ‘A’ 8 mark questions on Paper 2. We will look at the two part ‘A’ question first.
⏰ Timing | 🎓Assessment | % Final Grade |
8 mins | Knowledge 2 marks Application 2 marks Analysis 4 marks | 10% |
Example ‘A’ Four Part Question ANALYSIS
1 (a) Explain four reasons why a person may set up their own business. Reason 1: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Reason 2: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Reason 3: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Reason 4: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [8] |
In this question, four different reasons why a person may set up a business are required.
Knowledge | Reason 1 | To be own boss |
Analysis | Explanation | So have independence from others and make own decisions |
Knowledge | Reason 2 | To make profit |
Analysis | Explanation | May get a higher income than working for another business |
Knowledge | Reason 3 | To gain recognition and status |
Analysis | Explanation | To be well known and respected as a successful entrepreneur |
Knowledge | Reason 4 | Redundancy means loss of job |
Analysis | Explanation | So setting up business replaces the income that was lost |
Example ‘A’ Four Part Question APPLICATION
1 (a) Explain four characteristics that make Mustafa a successful entrepreneur. Characteristic 1:…………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Characteristic 2: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Characteristic 3: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Characteristic 4: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [8] |
In the second example there is a reference to the case study in the question. The questions asks about Mustafa, and his skateboarding business. Therefore, you must explain each characteristic using information from the case study.
Each part of the four characteristics refers to the Mustafa’s business, designing, producing and selling skateboards.
Knowledge | Characteristic 1 | Hard worker |
Application | prepared to do all the work himself by making all the skateboards at his home and selling them at the park. | |
Knowledge | Characteristic 2 | Creative |
Application | Designed the skateboard himself. | |
Knowledge | Characteristic 3 | Risk Taker |
Application | gave up a well-paid job and risked losing his home. | |
Knowledge | Characteristic 4 | Effective communication skills |
Application | Persuades others to buy his skateboard with video commercials. |
⭐⭐⭐Top Tip Paper 2 ⭐⭐⭐ 4 Part ‘A’ Questions Be careful to avoid repetition, it can be challenging to find four different points. Before starting each part of your answer check to make sure you aren’t just repeating what you have already written. Think about how each explanation will be distinct from the other parts of your answer. |
Example ‘A’ Two Part Question ANALYSIS
Michaela owns the Funky Moves Dance Studio in Main City in country X. The Dance Studio offers individual and group dance classes. Economic growth in country X has been high for the last few years. The Dance Studio is very busy and Michaela is considering taking on a partner to help manage the business and give her more free time. However, she has been a sole trader for 8 years and wants the business to stay small. She believes the personal contact with customers is important for success. 3 (a) Explain two reasons why Michaela wants her business to stay small. [8] Reason 1: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Explanation: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Reason 2: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Explanation: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [8] |
Knowledge | Reason 1 | Reason she wants her business to stay small |
Application | Explanation | Relevant reference to the case study |
Analysis | Explanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small | |
Further Analysis | Further explanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small |
Knowledge | Reason 2 | Another reason she wants her business to stay small |
Application | Explanation | Relevant reference to the case study |
Analysis | Explanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small | |
Further Analysis | Further explanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small |
Example ‘A’ Two Part Question APPLICATION
We start with a knowledge point for the relevant reason:
Reason 1: Stay her own boss
Then explain using application to the case study, Michaela’s dance studio:
Explanation: as Bethany has run the business successfully for 8 years and she does not want anyone telling her what to do or disagreeing with her decisions.
We finish by taking the analysis one step further by explaining the impact of staying small on the business:
The business idea is all her own and so he does not want any conflict which might cause important decisions to be delayed.
Complete the same combination of knowledge, application, analysis and further analysis for the second reason.
Knowledge | Reason | Keep personal contact with customers. |
Application | Explanation | If the dance studio expands |
Analysis | Michaela will spend more time working on the management tasks rather than leading dance classes personally. | |
Further Analysis | This may lead to customers feeling that they are not getting the same service as before, so they use a competitor dance studio, and Michaela loses revenue. |
Top Tip
⭐⭐⭐Top Tip Paper 2 ⭐⭐⭐ 2 Part ‘A’ Questions Remember to take your analysis one step further by using connective phrases like, “this means that” and “this will lead to”. |