Exam Technique

AO1 — Knowledge

Showing knowledge and understanding of business concepts, theories, terms and formulas — the facts and definitions themselves.

AO2 — Context (often called "Application" in the AQA spec)

Applying that knowledge specifically to the business or scenario given in the question — not just stating a fact, but linking it to the actual details in the case study.

AO3 — Analysis

Explaining causes and effects, and building a logical chain of reasoning to show why something happens and what it leads to — this is what the BLTRM structure further down is built to do.

AO4 — Evaluation

Making a supported judgement — weighing up different sides of an argument and reaching a reasoned conclusion, rather than just describing both sides and stopping.

6 Markers — Analyse

AO breakdown: AO1 = 2, AO2 = 2, AO3 = 2

Structure: One point, developed with a full BLTRM chain (see below), with context from the case study woven in throughout. One line of argument is enough — no evaluation or conclusion needed at 6 marks.

Example question: "Analyse how one of these entrepreneurial characteristics has contributed to the success of Tesla."

9 Markers (Qualitative) — Assess

AO breakdown: AO1 = 2, AO2 = 2, AO3 = 2, AO4 = 3

Structure:

1. Intro: state your judgement in one sentence, linked back to the question's hook.
2. One argument for: a full BLTRM chain, with context throughout, linked back to the hook.
3. One argument against ("However…"): another full BLTRM chain, with context throughout, linked back to the hook.
4. Conclusion ("Overall…"): justify your judgement using evidence from the analysis above. What's the short and long-term impact? What does your judgement depend on?

Link to other models or theories where you can — this is what separates a sophisticated answer from a basic one.

Example question: "Assess whether increasing spending on influencers would lead to higher profits for M&S."

9 Markers (Quantitative) — Assess + Calculate

AO breakdown: AO1 = 2 (formula), AO2 = 2 (calculation), AO3 = 3 (interpreting the result in your analysis), AO4 = 3 (evaluation/judgement)

Structure:

1. Calculation, with your workings shown.
2. Interpretation of the result, linked to the case study (BLTRM).
3. Limitations of the result, linked back to the case study/hook.
4. Conclusion/judgement.

Link to other models or theories where you can.

Example question: "Assess whether Boots Plc's current ratio indicates that the business was in a strong financial position in 2025. Calculate the current ratio to support your answer."

15 Markers (Qualitative) — Evaluate

AO breakdown: AO1 = 3, AO2 = 3, AO3 = 4, AO4 = 5

Structure: either a problem-solving question (you choose the two options to evaluate) or a decision-making question (the two options are given to you):

1. Introduce Option One.
2. Analyse Option One (a full BLTRM chain, linked to the context and the hook).
3. Evaluate Option One — e.g. "However… in the short term… in the long term… it depends on… consequently… this would not necessarily… when compared to…"
4. Introduce Option Two.
5. Analyse Option Two (BLTRM, linked to context and hook).
6. Evaluate Option Two, the same way as Option One.
7. Conclusion (Overall): your judgement on which option to choose, the short and long-term impact of choosing it, the risk involved, and what your choice depends on.

Example question: "Evaluate two possible courses of action [the student identifies / that are provided] as ways of solving a problem, and make a recommendation."

15 Markers (Quantitative) — Evaluate + Calculation

AO breakdown: AO1 = 3, AO2 = 3, AO3 = 4, AO4 = 5 (15 marks total)

Of those 15 marks, 6 are specifically for the quantitative (calculation) skills: AO1 = 2 (the formula), AO2 = 2 (carrying out the calculation), AO3 = 1 (interpreting the result in your analysis), AO4 = 1 (using that finding to support your judgement). The remaining 9 marks are for the qualitative analysis and evaluation that follows the calculation.

Structure:

1. Intro: state the formula, your workings, and the answer.
2. One paragraph recommending an option based on the calculation result.
3. Option/Strategy A — analyse (BLTRM, linked to data/context), then evaluate (linked to data/context, bringing in other concepts, theories or models).
4. Option/Strategy B — analyse (BLTRM, linked to data/context), then evaluate (linked to data/context, bringing in other concepts, theories or models).
5. Conclusion (Overall): your judgement on which option to choose and why, with evidence; the short and long-term impact and risk of that choice; what it depends on; other factors that might affect it (e.g. the external environment); and a note questioning the reliability or origin of the data used.

Example question: "Appendix G shows market and financial data for launching the new PS7 in two regions of Europe. Evaluate whether Sony should launch the PS7 in Region A or Region B. Calculate the ROI in Region B in 2026 to support your answer."

BLTRM

A chain for turning one point into a fully developed paragraph — used throughout the structures above. Include context from the case study all the way through, not just at the start:

• Because…
• Leading to…
• Therefore…
• Resulting in…
• Meaning that…

Context, Theory, Hook

Three things every strong extended answer should keep coming back to:

• Context: real detail from the case study or scenario given in the question — names, figures, the specific situation the business is in.
• Theory: the business models, concepts or formulas that actually explain the point being made.
• Hook: the specific wording or focus of the question itself — keep returning to it, so the answer stays clearly focused on what was actually asked rather than drifting into a general essay on the topic.