Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level
Thursday 15 January 2026
WBS13/01A
Paper
Afternoon (Time: 2 hours)
reference
Business
International Advanced Level
UNIT 3: Business decisions and strategy
Question Paper
Mark Scheme (Results)
You must have: Source Booklet and Answer book (sent separately)
Do not return this Question Paper with the Answer Book.
January 2026
Pearson Edexcel in International A Level in Business
WBS13/01A
Turn over
P87586A
C:1/1/
Pearson Education Ltd. *P87586A*
, SECTION A Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Read Extracts A, B, C and D in the Source Booklet before answering Question 1.
Write your answers in the spaces provided in the Answer Book.
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
1 (a) Using the data in Extract B, calculate the simple payback period for a new largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
chocolate-bar machine for Mars. You are advised to show your working. including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
(4) programmes for employers. For further information visit our
(b) Using the data in Extract C, calculate the number of employees who left Mars in qualifications websites at or .
2024. You are advised to show your working. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
(4) contact us page at
Discuss how using labour turnover calculations can help with recruitment
decisions at Mars.
(8)
(d) Assess the possible advantages that Mars gains from operating as a conglomerate.
(12)
(e) Using PESTLE analysis, assess whether economic factors are the main influence on Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Mars’ sales revenue.
(12) Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
(Total for Question 1 = 40 marks) learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
TOTAL FOR SECTION A = 40 MARKS 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find
out more about how we can help you and your students at:
Janaury 2026
Question Paper Log Number P87586A
Publication Code WBS13_01A_2601_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson Education Ltd
2 P87586A
, SECTION B
General Marking Guidance
Read Extract E in the Source Booklet before answering Question 2.
Write your answer in the space provided in the Answer Book. • All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
2 Evaluate the extent to which contingency planning might have reduced the impact first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
of an IT systems failure for Asda. • Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
(20)
for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
(Total for Question 2 = 20 marks) • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
TOTAL FOR SECTION B = 20 MARKS
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
with an alternative response.
P87586A 3
Turn over
, SECTION C Question Using the data in Extract B, calculate the simple payback Mark
period for a new chocolate-bar machine for Mars. You
Read Extracts F, G and H in the Source Booklet before answering Question 3. are advised to show your working.
Write your answer in the space provided in the Answer Book.
1(a) Knowledge 1, Application 2, Analysis 1
3 Using liquidity ratios, evaluate whether Ralph Lauren should expand by opening
more stores. Quantitative skills assessed:
(20) QS6: Calculate investment appraisal outcomes and interpret
(Total for Question 3 = 20 marks) results.
Knowledge
TOTAL FOR SECTION C = 20 MARKS 1 mark for knowledge and understanding of the simple
TOTAL FOR PAPER = 80 MARKS
payback formula:
Simple payback = cost of initial investment (1)
average yearly net cash inflow
Application
Up to 2 marks for correct application of figures to formula:
$4m (1)
$800 000 (1)
Analysis
1 mark for showing correct answer:
5 years (1)
NB: If no working is shown, award marks as follows:
• If the answer given is 5 years award 4 marks
• If the answer given is 5 award 3 marks
(4)
4 P87586A
Thursday 15 January 2026
WBS13/01A
Paper
Afternoon (Time: 2 hours)
reference
Business
International Advanced Level
UNIT 3: Business decisions and strategy
Question Paper
Mark Scheme (Results)
You must have: Source Booklet and Answer book (sent separately)
Do not return this Question Paper with the Answer Book.
January 2026
Pearson Edexcel in International A Level in Business
WBS13/01A
Turn over
P87586A
C:1/1/
Pearson Education Ltd. *P87586A*
, SECTION A Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Read Extracts A, B, C and D in the Source Booklet before answering Question 1.
Write your answers in the spaces provided in the Answer Book.
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
1 (a) Using the data in Extract B, calculate the simple payback period for a new largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
chocolate-bar machine for Mars. You are advised to show your working. including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
(4) programmes for employers. For further information visit our
(b) Using the data in Extract C, calculate the number of employees who left Mars in qualifications websites at or .
2024. You are advised to show your working. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
(4) contact us page at
Discuss how using labour turnover calculations can help with recruitment
decisions at Mars.
(8)
(d) Assess the possible advantages that Mars gains from operating as a conglomerate.
(12)
(e) Using PESTLE analysis, assess whether economic factors are the main influence on Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Mars’ sales revenue.
(12) Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
(Total for Question 1 = 40 marks) learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
TOTAL FOR SECTION A = 40 MARKS 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find
out more about how we can help you and your students at:
Janaury 2026
Question Paper Log Number P87586A
Publication Code WBS13_01A_2601_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson Education Ltd
2 P87586A
, SECTION B
General Marking Guidance
Read Extract E in the Source Booklet before answering Question 2.
Write your answer in the space provided in the Answer Book. • All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
2 Evaluate the extent to which contingency planning might have reduced the impact first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
of an IT systems failure for Asda. • Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
(20)
for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
(Total for Question 2 = 20 marks) • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
TOTAL FOR SECTION B = 20 MARKS
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
with an alternative response.
P87586A 3
Turn over
, SECTION C Question Using the data in Extract B, calculate the simple payback Mark
period for a new chocolate-bar machine for Mars. You
Read Extracts F, G and H in the Source Booklet before answering Question 3. are advised to show your working.
Write your answer in the space provided in the Answer Book.
1(a) Knowledge 1, Application 2, Analysis 1
3 Using liquidity ratios, evaluate whether Ralph Lauren should expand by opening
more stores. Quantitative skills assessed:
(20) QS6: Calculate investment appraisal outcomes and interpret
(Total for Question 3 = 20 marks) results.
Knowledge
TOTAL FOR SECTION C = 20 MARKS 1 mark for knowledge and understanding of the simple
TOTAL FOR PAPER = 80 MARKS
payback formula:
Simple payback = cost of initial investment (1)
average yearly net cash inflow
Application
Up to 2 marks for correct application of figures to formula:
$4m (1)
$800 000 (1)
Analysis
1 mark for showing correct answer:
5 years (1)
NB: If no working is shown, award marks as follows:
• If the answer given is 5 years award 4 marks
• If the answer given is 5 award 3 marks
(4)
4 P87586A
