1
BUSINESS STUDIES
GRADE 12
PRELIMINARY
EXAMINATION
PAPER 1
2026
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and current
exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to assist
with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and learners are
encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you are unsure whether
you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation and do
not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3’ s STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Content:
Business Environments 5
Impact of recent legislation (e.g., LRA, SDA, EEA) 5
BBBEE and NCA 5
Business strategies (SWOT, PESTLE, Porter's Five Forces) 11
Business Operations 16
Human Resources Function (recruitment, selection, induction) 16
Quality of performance 20
Mixed Topics 23
Human Resources policies and contracts 23
Production and operations systems (e.g., quality circles, batch vs mass) 27
Essay Questions 28
Business Environments 29
Strategic management process 29
Legislative compliance 32
Business Operations 35
TQM elements and impact 35
HR management practices 37
Quality control vs quality assurance 40
Contextual Questions
The purchasing business The purchasing business function ensures that the required
function quantities of inventory are delivered at the right time.
Divestiture Selling some assets that are no longer profitable
Piecemeal Employees are paid for the number of items produced in a month
SETA Oversees training in different sectors of the South African
Sector Education and Training economy
Authority
Employment Equity Act/ EEA The main aim of this Act is to ensure that equal job opportunities
are given to all people regardless of race/culture/ language/age/
religion/disability etc
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Affirmative Action It was designed to ensure that suitable and qualified previously
disadvantaged individuals are given equal job opportunities.
Basic Conditions of This Act sets the minimum standard for employment to promote
Employment Act/BCEA fair labour practice.
Compensation for Employees are protected by the Compensation for Occupational
Occupational Injuries and Injuries and Diseases Act / COIDA. Amendment Act, 1997 (Act 61
Diseases Act / COIDA of 1997) against workplace illnesses and accidents that may
Amendment Act, 1997 (Act 61 occur in the performance of their duties.
of 1997)
Labour Relations Act Make provision for the establishment of the (CCMA) and
bargaining councils
Compulsory fringe benefit A business deducts Unemployment Insurance (UI) from workers'
salaries, in an example.
Unemployment Insurance Fund If an individual is unemployed, he can claim compensation from
(UIF) the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
Time-related salary Workers are paid for time they spend at work.
determination method
Four months maternity leave According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, pregnant
employees are entitled to four months' maternity leave.
National Credit Act This Act gives businesses information about credit overdue
payments by customers.
Debt review/ Debt counselling This is a debt solution targeted at South African consumers who
are over indebted and struggling to manage their finances.
Consumer Protection Act The main aim of this Act is to promote/protect the economic
interests of consumers by providing them information so that
they make informed choices.
Trade unions If an employee does not get their sick leave as set out in the Basic
Conditions of Employment Act, they can refer the matter to the
trade unions.
Recruitment The process of identifying vacant positions and which employees
will best fill the position is known as recruitment.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
Placement The process of matching a new employee's skills and abilities to
the requirements of a position is known as placement.
Screening Screening is an attempt to eliminate unsuitable applicants.
The purpose of an interview is to evaluate the skills and personal characteristics of the
applicant.
Quality control To ensure that quality products and services are delivered,
quality control must take place continuously.
Total Quality Control Process to monitor business activities and measure
performance.
SWOT analysis Used to identify the internal and external environmental factors
that pose challenges to a business.
A social challenge High crime rate affecting the trading hours of a business can be
considered a social challenge as one of the PESTLE factors.
Apprenticeships Includes a training course with learning material as well as
practical work experience
Public relations function Public relations function maintains positive press releases about
the company.
National Skills Development National skills development strategy improves access to training
Strategy (NSDS) programs
Strategy evaluation Strategy evaluation is the process of assessing whether a strategy
was successful and taking corrective action where necessary.
Backward vertical integration A business that acquires its suppliers to reduce the risk of
strategy dependence applies the backward vertical integration strategy.
Concentric diversification If a business added a new product related to existing products,
strategy which is attractive to new customers.
Unbundling Unbundling is the sale of some assets that are no longer
profitable.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
BUSINESS STUDIES
GRADE 12
PRELIMINARY
EXAMINATION
PAPER 1
2026
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and current
exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to assist
with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and learners are
encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you are unsure whether
you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation and do
not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3’ s STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Content:
Business Environments 5
Impact of recent legislation (e.g., LRA, SDA, EEA) 5
BBBEE and NCA 5
Business strategies (SWOT, PESTLE, Porter's Five Forces) 11
Business Operations 16
Human Resources Function (recruitment, selection, induction) 16
Quality of performance 20
Mixed Topics 23
Human Resources policies and contracts 23
Production and operations systems (e.g., quality circles, batch vs mass) 27
Essay Questions 28
Business Environments 29
Strategic management process 29
Legislative compliance 32
Business Operations 35
TQM elements and impact 35
HR management practices 37
Quality control vs quality assurance 40
Contextual Questions
The purchasing business The purchasing business function ensures that the required
function quantities of inventory are delivered at the right time.
Divestiture Selling some assets that are no longer profitable
Piecemeal Employees are paid for the number of items produced in a month
SETA Oversees training in different sectors of the South African
Sector Education and Training economy
Authority
Employment Equity Act/ EEA The main aim of this Act is to ensure that equal job opportunities
are given to all people regardless of race/culture/ language/age/
religion/disability etc
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Affirmative Action It was designed to ensure that suitable and qualified previously
disadvantaged individuals are given equal job opportunities.
Basic Conditions of This Act sets the minimum standard for employment to promote
Employment Act/BCEA fair labour practice.
Compensation for Employees are protected by the Compensation for Occupational
Occupational Injuries and Injuries and Diseases Act / COIDA. Amendment Act, 1997 (Act 61
Diseases Act / COIDA of 1997) against workplace illnesses and accidents that may
Amendment Act, 1997 (Act 61 occur in the performance of their duties.
of 1997)
Labour Relations Act Make provision for the establishment of the (CCMA) and
bargaining councils
Compulsory fringe benefit A business deducts Unemployment Insurance (UI) from workers'
salaries, in an example.
Unemployment Insurance Fund If an individual is unemployed, he can claim compensation from
(UIF) the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
Time-related salary Workers are paid for time they spend at work.
determination method
Four months maternity leave According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, pregnant
employees are entitled to four months' maternity leave.
National Credit Act This Act gives businesses information about credit overdue
payments by customers.
Debt review/ Debt counselling This is a debt solution targeted at South African consumers who
are over indebted and struggling to manage their finances.
Consumer Protection Act The main aim of this Act is to promote/protect the economic
interests of consumers by providing them information so that
they make informed choices.
Trade unions If an employee does not get their sick leave as set out in the Basic
Conditions of Employment Act, they can refer the matter to the
trade unions.
Recruitment The process of identifying vacant positions and which employees
will best fill the position is known as recruitment.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
Placement The process of matching a new employee's skills and abilities to
the requirements of a position is known as placement.
Screening Screening is an attempt to eliminate unsuitable applicants.
The purpose of an interview is to evaluate the skills and personal characteristics of the
applicant.
Quality control To ensure that quality products and services are delivered,
quality control must take place continuously.
Total Quality Control Process to monitor business activities and measure
performance.
SWOT analysis Used to identify the internal and external environmental factors
that pose challenges to a business.
A social challenge High crime rate affecting the trading hours of a business can be
considered a social challenge as one of the PESTLE factors.
Apprenticeships Includes a training course with learning material as well as
practical work experience
Public relations function Public relations function maintains positive press releases about
the company.
National Skills Development National skills development strategy improves access to training
Strategy (NSDS) programs
Strategy evaluation Strategy evaluation is the process of assessing whether a strategy
was successful and taking corrective action where necessary.
Backward vertical integration A business that acquires its suppliers to reduce the risk of
strategy dependence applies the backward vertical integration strategy.
Concentric diversification If a business added a new product related to existing products,
strategy which is attractive to new customers.
Unbundling Unbundling is the sale of some assets that are no longer
profitable.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
