Examiners’ Report
Principal Examiner Feedback
October 2020
Pearson Edexcel GCE A Level
In Business (9BS0)
Paper 2: Business activities, decisions and
strategy
,Introduction:
This report should be used by centres to provide teachers and students with
guidance for how to approach the various question types going forward.
The cohort was a small fraction of the normal entry. Consequently it is likely that
only limited conclusions can be drawn from the performance of the students in
this examination series.
Overall, the quality of responses was lower than usually found in a normal entry.
Although there was a significant number of excellent responses, in many cases
there were gaps in knowledge, with some questions not attempted or partially
answered.
Question 1(a):
This question was generally well answered. Most students could identify and
explain a financial reason why ‘Tended Ltd’ was established as a private limited
company. However, a common weakness was that many students failed to gain
application marks, as they did not make use of information from the extracts to
illustrate their reason. Some students wasted time by also considering a
disadvantage of ‘Tended Ltd’ choosing to be a private limited company.
,This response was awarded 2 marks. No credit was awarded for the first half of the
answer as it is not answering the question. However, a knowledge mark is awarded
for the point that finance can be raised from family and friends and analysis for
the explanation that Leo Scott Smith will have more financial control for future
investment. However, the lack of relevant context meant that no marks for
application were awarded.
,
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We
provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and
specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites
at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the
details on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
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 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 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:
www.pearson.com/uk
October 2020
Publications Code 9BS0_02_2010_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2020
Principal Examiner Feedback
October 2020
Pearson Edexcel GCE A Level
In Business (9BS0)
Paper 2: Business activities, decisions and
strategy
,Introduction:
This report should be used by centres to provide teachers and students with
guidance for how to approach the various question types going forward.
The cohort was a small fraction of the normal entry. Consequently it is likely that
only limited conclusions can be drawn from the performance of the students in
this examination series.
Overall, the quality of responses was lower than usually found in a normal entry.
Although there was a significant number of excellent responses, in many cases
there were gaps in knowledge, with some questions not attempted or partially
answered.
Question 1(a):
This question was generally well answered. Most students could identify and
explain a financial reason why ‘Tended Ltd’ was established as a private limited
company. However, a common weakness was that many students failed to gain
application marks, as they did not make use of information from the extracts to
illustrate their reason. Some students wasted time by also considering a
disadvantage of ‘Tended Ltd’ choosing to be a private limited company.
,This response was awarded 2 marks. No credit was awarded for the first half of the
answer as it is not answering the question. However, a knowledge mark is awarded
for the point that finance can be raised from family and friends and analysis for
the explanation that Leo Scott Smith will have more financial control for future
investment. However, the lack of relevant context meant that no marks for
application were awarded.
,
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We
provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and
specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites
at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the
details on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
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 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 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:
www.pearson.com/uk
October 2020
Publications Code 9BS0_02_2010_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2020
