GCSE (9-1) Business - Discuss Exemplars from the 2019 exam series - Marked student responses with examiner commentary

Sep 5, 2026

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Marked exemplar responses for the GCSE (9-1) Business “Discuss” questions in the 2019 exam series, focusing on Question 3(e) for Papers 1 (1BS01) and 2 (1BS02). The commentary evaluates how candidates build valid reasons and impacts using linked strands and connectives such as “because,” “therefore,” “thus,” and “as a result.” It explains why higher levels are awarded for analysis and understanding, including the required number of linked strands and the correct use of business terminology about cash, fixed costs, and contracts.

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Reading Time25 min

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Discuss Exemplars from the 2019 exam series

Paper 1 (1BS01) - Question 3(e)

Paper 2 (1BS02) - Question 3(e)

GCSE (9-1) Business ‘Discuss’ Exemplars from the 2019 exam series Marked student responses with examiner commentary © artwork: Mark Bolitho | Origami photography Pearson Education Ltd/Naki Kouyioumtzis Discuss – Paper 1-Exemplar 1 (1BS01) Question 3(e) Commentary: The candidate has identified a valid reason why cash is important to a business - ‘to purchase raw materials’. They then provide three linked strands from this point, making use of connectives ‘because’ and ‘therefore’. The first paragraph provides a logical series of strands of development. The candidate then offers a second reason through ‘repay bank loans more quickly’. This is linked, using the connective ‘thus’, to the point that this will lead to lower interest rates and therefore to lower fixed costs. Thus, the candidate has generated 5 logical linked strands spread out over two reasons why cash is important to a small business. As a result, they secure Level 3 for A03a or ‘Analysis’. The red boxes in the annotation illustrate the use of accurate terminology. The candidate also scores Level 3 for AO1b of ‘Understanding’. With two Level 3s, the candidate is awarded Level 3 overall and 6 marks. Discuss – Paper 1-Exemplar 2 (1BS01) Question 3(e) Commentary: The candidate has identified a valid reason why cash is important to a business - ‘to pay suppliers’. They then provide a linked strand from this point, that cash can be spent on raw materials. The candidate makes use of connectives. The first paragraph provides a logical series of strands of development. The candidate then offers a second reason through ‘to pay workers’. This is linked to motivation and productivity. Thus, the candidate has generated 5 logical linked strands spread out over two impacts. As a result, they secure Level 3 for A03a or ‘Analysis’. The red boxes in the annotation illustrate the use of accurate terminology and understanding of the importance of cash. Thus, the candidate also scores Level 3 for AO1b of ‘Understanding’. With two Level 3s this means the final mark is Level 3-6 marks. Discuss – Paper 1-Exemplar 3 (1BS01) Question 3(e) Commentary: The candidate has identified a valid reason why cash is important to a business - ‘to pay fixed costs’. They then provide three linked strands from this point, using connectives and showing some good use of appropriate terminology. The first paragraph provides a logical series of strands of development. The candidate structures their response well by providing a second point in a different paragraph. This is good practice. However, the point they make is not valid, despite appearing credible. The question specifically refers to how cash can affect the survival of a small business, but this point considers the impact on expansion and therefore misses the point and does not attract further marks. Thus, the candidate scores Level 2 for AO1b of ‘Understanding’ as they show fair understanding of the importance of cash. For Analysis they have 3 strands of development, which is Level 2 (remember-5 linked strands are required to reach Level 3) . With two Level 2s this means the final mark is Level 2-4 marks. Discuss – Paper 2-Exemplar 4 (1BS02) Question 3(e) Commentary: The candidate has stated an impact through ‘less turnover of staff’. This is developed in the first linked strand through‘they stay at the job for longer’. The second linked strand is articulated through‘the business avoids the costs of employing new staff such as retraining’. There is then some repetition in the response through ‘total costs remain low’ before a third logical, linked strand is developed which through‘the break-even point decreases’. The candidate then offers a second impact through ‘the business has to accrue the costs of giving legal employment law such as sick pay’. This is linked to ‘increasing the costs of the business’which is then linked to ‘decreasing the margin of safety’. Thus, the candidate has generated 5 log

FAQs

What is the focus of the “Discuss” exemplars for the 2019 GCSE Business exam series?

The exemplars focus on Question 3(e), showing how candidates discuss why cash is important to a business (including impacts on small businesses). Examiner commentary evaluates the quality of linked reasoning and terminology.

How do connectives affect the examiners’ assessment in these responses?

Connectives such as “because,” “therefore,” and “thus” help structure logical linked strands. This makes it easier for examiners to see where one strand ends and another begins, supporting higher-level analysis.

What determines whether a candidate reaches Level 3 or lower levels?

Level 3 depends on having enough logically linked strands (notably, five linked strands are required) and on achieving both analysis and understanding. If an argument is not valid for the survival of a small business, fewer marks are awarded.

Sep 5, 2026

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