There is no coursework component needed to complete AQA AS Business (7131) , AQA A Level Business (7132) , Cambridge International AS and A Level Business (9609) , Pearson Edexcel AS Level Business (XBS11) , or Pearson Edexcel A Level Business (YBS11). That is, students can attain the qualification by examination only. There are quite a few similarities between the two courses, so read through the syllabus and the specification and choose carefully.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge AS and A Level Business, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge AS and A Level Business (9609). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing AS and A Level Business offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge AS and A Level Business, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge AS and A Level Business (9609). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing AS and A Level Business offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments (exams), read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the AS and A Level Business courses at AQA, CAIE, Pearson Edexcel:
Here are the links for the AS and A Level Business courses at AQA, CAIE, Pearson Edexcel:
AQA AS and A-Level Business (7131, 7132)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business/as-and-a-level/business-7131-7132
Cambridge AS and A Level Business (9609)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-business-9609/
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Business (XBS11, YBS11)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels/business-2018.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business/as-and-a-level/business-7131-7132
Cambridge AS and A Level Business (9609)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-business-9609/
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Business (XBS11, YBS11)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels/business-2018.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. As Business is built upon a depth of knowledge building and real-world practice and situations, you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
There are endorsed textbooks that are closely aligned to exam board courses and these will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each exam board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for AS and A Level Business:
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for AS and A Level Business:
AQA AS and A-Level Business (7131, 7132)
- Marcouse, I. et al (2015) AQA Business for AS. ISBN: 9781471835803 [Endorsed]
- Marcouse, I. et al (2015) AQA Business for A Level. ISBN: 9781471835698 [Endorsed]
- Wolinski,J. & Coates, G. (2015) AQA A Level Business 1, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781471836091 [Endorsed]
- Surridge, M. & Gillespie, A. (2015) AQA Business for A Level 1. ISBN: 9781471836138 [Endorsed]
- Surridge, M. & Gillespie, A. (2015) AQA A-Level Business 2. ISBN: 9781471835780 [Endorsed]
Cambridge AS and A Level Business (9609)
- Surridge, M. & Gillespie, A. (2014) Cambridge International AS and A Level Business. ISBN: 9781444181395 [Endorsed]
- Stimpson, P. (2018) Cambridge International AS and A Level Business: Workbook. ISBN: 9781108401579 [Endorsed]
- Stimpson, P. & Farquharson, A. (2014) Cambridge International AS and A Level Business: Coursebook with CD-Rom, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781107677364 [Endorsed]
- Stimpson, P. & Joyce, P. (2017) Cambridge International AS and A Level Business: Revision Guide, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781316611708 [Endorsed]
- Coupland-Smith, H. (2014) Cambridge International AS and A Level Business:Teacher's Resource CD-ROM, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781107642614 [Endorsed]
- Joyce, P., Harrison, S., & Milner, D. (2015) Business for Cambridge International AS and A Level. ISBN: 9780198347002
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Business (XBS11, YBS11)
I had some difficulty navigating the Pearson Edexcel website and I was not able to find any Edexcel-endorsed textbooks. There are some resources in the Getting Started Guide for Business Studies, so l would look here first. I do not think I am looking in the right place, because there are endorsed books available online. Please contact the helpline on the Edexcel website or search online for books. Here are two I found:
- Jones, R. (2018) Pearson Edexcel International AS Level Business: Student Book. ISBN: 9781292239170 [Endorsed]
- Jones, R. (2019) Edexcel International A Level Business: Student Book. ISBN: 9781292239163 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for AS and A Level Business
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring AS and A Level Business. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00fvhj7
This provides analysis of the big global business and economic issues. Available as podcasts.
http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/category.php?id=4
Part of the very successful Open Learning University, this site has useful resources on a variety of topics.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/business-studies
This revision site is still as easy-to-navigate, informative revision site for students.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=4
A portal for other great sites.
http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/
The Business Studies blog section on Tutor2u.net gives continually updated information on a variety of business related topics. You can also become a member, although I do not know if this is free membership.
http://www.businessed.co.uk/
This site is being revamped from the old Business Studies Online site. It will provide a range of interesting approaches to checking your understanding of theory notes, interactive activities, games and simulations.
http://www.netmba.com/
A US-based site, this has some topics relevant to the course.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
I am continually impressed with this site. There is plenty of information here, especially on micro and macro economics. It is probably better for teachers to guide students to a specific section in this continually growing website.
www.futurelearn.com/subjects/business-and-management-courses
FutureLearn is my favourite MOOC platform to use, and I am often taking three or more courses at one time. These are often free courses, offered by university faculty from around the world. Have a look at the course that may interest you.
Business is a dynamic subject and the only way to really know what the syllabus content means in the real world is to be actively learning more about what is going on in the world. So pick up the newspaper, read a business or financial magazine, watch or read online content, and stay informed.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.
This provides analysis of the big global business and economic issues. Available as podcasts.
http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/category.php?id=4
Part of the very successful Open Learning University, this site has useful resources on a variety of topics.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/business-studies
This revision site is still as easy-to-navigate, informative revision site for students.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=4
A portal for other great sites.
http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/
The Business Studies blog section on Tutor2u.net gives continually updated information on a variety of business related topics. You can also become a member, although I do not know if this is free membership.
http://www.businessed.co.uk/
This site is being revamped from the old Business Studies Online site. It will provide a range of interesting approaches to checking your understanding of theory notes, interactive activities, games and simulations.
http://www.netmba.com/
A US-based site, this has some topics relevant to the course.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
I am continually impressed with this site. There is plenty of information here, especially on micro and macro economics. It is probably better for teachers to guide students to a specific section in this continually growing website.
www.futurelearn.com/subjects/business-and-management-courses
FutureLearn is my favourite MOOC platform to use, and I am often taking three or more courses at one time. These are often free courses, offered by university faculty from around the world. Have a look at the course that may interest you.
Business is a dynamic subject and the only way to really know what the syllabus content means in the real world is to be actively learning more about what is going on in the world. So pick up the newspaper, read a business or financial magazine, watch or read online content, and stay informed.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.