Question bank
Real questions, real marking
6 real questions this paper has actually set, drawn only from genuine Pearson question papers. Each one links to its real mark scheme, its real examiner report where one has been published, and our own level-by-level breakdown of how marks are actually earned — write your own answer first, then compare.
Oct 2024 · Q3
20 marksChanging competitive environment — low-cost entrants and a future mega-airport vs scale and differentiation
Evaluate the extent to which changes in the competitive environment of the Middle Eastern airline market may affect Emirates.
Our analysis
Evaluate the extent to which changes in the competitive environment of the Middle Eastern airline market may affect Emirates.
20 marks available
Emirates faces competition from other airlines. This could affect how well the business does because customers might choose a cheaper airline instead of Emirates.
Generic competition reasoning with no real Middle Eastern airline market detail — no named rival, no Emirates-specific strength. Could be written about any airline facing any competitor.
June 2024 · Q1(d)
12 marksSWOT analysis — benefits and limitations
Assess the likely benefits for Bosch of using a SWOT analysis when developing its business strategy.
Our analysis
Assess the likely benefits for Bosch of using a SWOT analysis when developing its business strategy.
12 marks available
A SWOT analysis looks at a company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This would help Bosch plan its strategy.
Definitional only — no application to Bosch's real strengths, opportunities, or threats at all.
Jan 2024 · Q1(d)
12 marksTransformative leadership
Assess the importance of transformative leadership to Patagonia's long term success.
Our analysis
Assess the importance of transformative leadership to Patagonia's long term success.
12 marks available
Leadership is important for a business because a good leader helps the company succeed. Patagonia has had good leadership.
No definition of transformative leadership and no reference to Chouinard or Patagonia's actual identity — could be written about any company.
Oct 2023 · Q3
20 marksResistance to change — organisation size and speed as independent drivers
Evaluate the extent to which there might be resistance to change at Disney.
Our analysis
Evaluate the extent to which there might be resistance to change at Disney.
20 marks available
Employees often resist change because they are used to doing things a certain way and don't like new things being introduced. This might happen at Disney if they try to change how the company works.
Generic resistance-to-change reasoning with no Disney-specific application — no mention of size, speed, or Iger. Could be written about any firm changing anything.
Jan 2020 · Q1(c)
8 marksTransformative leadership — share-price evidence as both support and counter-evidence
Using the data in Extracts B and C, discuss the importance of change in the senior leadership for Burberry's success.
Our analysis
Using the data in Extracts B and C, discuss the importance of change in the senior leadership for Burberry's success.
8 marks available
Leadership is important because a good leader helps a business do well. Burberry has had some changes in its leadership recently.
Isolated, recall-based assertion with no real Burberry evidence — no named individual, no share-price data from Extract C. Matches the confirmed 8-mark L1 (1-2) descriptor: generic assertions, weak or no relevant application.
Jan 2020 · Q3
20 marksSuccession planning as risk mitigation — real benefit, and the risks it cannot touch
Evaluate the extent to which succession planning can reduce risk for a business such as Alibaba.
Our analysis
Evaluate the extent to which succession planning can reduce risk for a business such as Alibaba.
20 marks available
Succession planning means training someone to take over when a leader leaves. This can help a business because there is already someone ready to lead instead of the business being left without anyone in charge.
Generic definition with no Alibaba-specific application — no mention of Jack Ma, Daniel Zhang, or any real risk. Could be written about any business handing over leadership.