Grade Ladder – Business : Wickersley School & Sports College

Grade Ladder – Business

AO1a 15%	Recall knowledge	I can remember subject information that I have been taught.
AO1b 20%	Show understanding	I can explain features, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of business concepts.
AO2 35%	Context (application to case study) Calculations	I can apply my knowledge to a business case study and show context throughout my answer. I can use case study data to do calculations (remembering formulae).
AO3a 20%	Analyse	I can create five linked strands of analysis by developing causes and consequences from a point.
AO3b 10%	Evaluate	I can offer balance in my response and make an overall decision which includes a ‘however’ factor.

Grade	Command Words + AO’s	Knowledge and Skills
W1	Select AO1	I can select some correct responses from a choice of answers.
W2	Define AO1	I can recall some subject specialist key terms.
W3	Define AO1	I can explain a key term using non-subject specialist vocabulary.
1	Multiple choice questions AO1 Define key terms AO1 “Select one answer”	I can consistently demonstrate good knowledge by selecting the correct answers to MQC’s. I can accurately define key terms using appropriate, subject specialist vocabulary.
2	Give AO1 “Give one element of the marketing mix”	I can offer more knowledge about a topic that is not just a key term or definition.
3	Identify AO2 State AO2 “Using figure x, identify the supermarket with the largest market share” “State one way/ drawback/benefit”	I can interpret quantitative business data e.g. graph or pie chart to identify the answer to a question. I can state a simple written response that is in fully in context of the business case study.
4	Explain AO1 – limited Outline AO2 “Explain one advantage/ one drawback/ method” “Outline one risk for business X/ impact on business Y”	I can identify one point that responds to the question and follow it up with one appropriate linked strand. I can identify one point that responds to the question and follow it with one linked strand that is fully in context of the business case study.
5	Explain AO1 – secure Calculate AO2 “Explain one advantage/ one drawback/ method” “Using table x, calculate the average rate of return/ profit margin/ total costs for business x”	I can identify one point that responds to the question and follow it up with two appropriate linked strands. I can apply the appropriate formulae to quantitative data in a case study to complete a calculation in a business context.
6	Discuss AO1 + AO3 “Discuss the importance of cash flow to the survival of a small business”	I can identify two points that respond to the question (this can be two benefits/ impacts/ drawbacks/ reasons) and include a total of five linked strands across the two points. I can separate my points into two distinct paragraphs.
7	Analyse AO2 + AO3 “Analyse the impact of X on business Y”	I can identify two points that respond to the question (this can be two benefits/ impacts/ drawbacks/ reasons) and include a total of five linked strands across the two points. All of my answer is fully in context of the business case study. I can separate my points into two distinct paragraphs.
8	Justify AO2 + AO3 “Justify which of the two options business X should choose”	I can offer a balanced argument about the two options presented to me in the exam question. My response contains a minimum of five linked strands. My response concludes with a reason which justifies which is the better option. My response is fully in context of the business case study. I use paragraphs to structure my answer.
9	Evaluate AO2 + AO3 “Evaluate the likely impact on business x of this decision”	I can identify a minimum of two points to use as the basis of a balanced argument, drawing on all of my business subject knowledge and the case study information. My response contains a minimum of five linked strands. My response concludes with a reason that answers the ‘to what extent’ aspect of the question. My response is fully in context of the business case study. I use paragraphs to structure my answer.