AQA BUSS3/BUSS4 Revision Thread

I have made notes on all chp's for BUSS3, probably too late to do that now, but then just getting pass papers and doing 2 a week, 1 open book and then one closed book. With the closed book, time yourself and stick to the timings. If you dont finish - thats fine! Change color when the time is up, and with practice you will get better and better.

Closer to the exam I will go through my notes and make quick flash cards for gentle reminders of the content.

This revision webinar video on how to make the most of the BUSS3 appendices might be useful

BUSS3 Making the Most of the Appendices

Jim

For BUSS2 will it be ok if I structure my paragraphs like this:

Knowledge
Analysis
Application

Yeah that is the structure we used last year

(Background, I have not sat any exams for 25 years and I'm studying at home)

Excuse me if this is a stupid question, but....
Are you permitted to take any thing into the exam other than pens and a calculator?
The reason that I ask is related to the research aspect of BUSS4 section B, are you really expected to both remember and regurgitate an accurate, topical and relevant example for Missions,aims, objectives, Economic Environment, Legislation, Ethics, CSR, Technology/Change, Competitive Environment, the ENVIROment, Mergers, Retrenchment, Culture, Change management, Leadership, Planning, Contingency and Globalisation? (I'm aware of the possible emphasis on Eu and retrenchment)

And then take that example and somehow ram it into your essay to 'show off' ?For me it's no problem, I just want to know before I start digging through the FT and the Economist and robbing snippets of info to drill into my memory... (I honestly think that this is just a few hours work to make links between stories and the themes above)
I can envision a situation where students (myself included) manage to remember a dozen or so 'minifacts' and then desperately try and chuck them into essays !

Thanks,

There are some useful resources for everyone preparing for BUSS4 E-Commerce here:

http://www.tutor2u.net/business/series/buss4-section-a-2016-e-commerce

Also the tutor2u Twelve for BUSS4 in 2016 is a decent list of case study firms that can be used effectively for both Section A and Section B:

http://www.tutor2u.net/business/blog/tutor2u-twelve-for-2016

If you need any extra help, just post here and I'll try to assist

Jim

I highly doubt that we will get a question that is fully about the EU

True but given its on the syllabus and has never come up I think its a topic that could come up, but EU enlargement would be irrelevant given the upcoming referendum so I'm curious if they will turn the question on its head or not if they choose to ask it?

(Background, I have not sat any exams for 25 years and I'm studying at home)

Excuse me if this is a stupid question, but....
Are you permitted to take any thing into the exam other than pens and a calculator?
The reason that I ask is related to the research aspect of BUSS4 section B, are you really expected to both remember and regurgitate an accurate, topical and relevant example for Missions,aims, objectives, Economic Environment, Legislation, Ethics, CSR, Technology/Change, Competitive Environment, the ENVIROment, Mergers, Retrenchment, Culture, Change management, Leadership, Planning, Contingency and Globalisation? (I'm aware of the possible emphasis on Eu and retrenchment)

And then take that example and somehow ram it into your essay to 'show off' ?For me it's no problem, I just want to know before I start digging through the FT and the Economist and robbing snippets of info to drill into my memory... (I honestly think that this is just a few hours work to make links between stories and the themes above)
I can envision a situation where students (myself included) manage to remember a dozen or so 'minifacts' and then desperately try and chuck them into essays !

Thanks,

Does anyone have any examples for business strategic responses in relation to interest rates, exchanges rates, inflation and employment? Thanks!

I got 100% in both last year. BUSS3 follows a pattern. Last years paper was very similar to one of the 2010 exams. As for BUSS4 wont go crazy on the research have 2-3 exams per topic for mixed situations for example 1 against brand consolidation and 1-2 for the argument. Its literally just seasoning don't try cram all these references into your answers you just need to follow a structure and you will be fine. I purchased some model answers for BUSS4 from tutor2u. I then summarised them into mind maps and memorised them (Its how I learn) I did this so I knew my structure for any question that came up but if i was short on points I could use one of their points. You don't need lots of points a introduction either 2 for 1 against or 2 for and 2 against. Do not forget about your evaluation you need to evaluate the weight of each factor for and against then come to a final conclusion something Like "Although I believe point 1 and paint 2 are important in topic I believe point 3 is the most important factor because...

Good luck

How did you split up your timing for BUSS3?

Hi so I used my watch in my exam

I'd look at the first question then spend 5-6 mins going through the text highlighting any key areas. And creating a bullet point list of what i will include. Then I would spend 10 Minutes answering question 1.

I would move onto question 2 spending again around 5 minutes picking out key components from the text for my question. You really need to use the text it really is your friend here! Once I have my structure I would spend 15 minutes writing my answer. You may think what! But yes it is all about quality and planning not quantity.

Question 3 last year was Critical path analysis so It literally took me 5 minutes to do!

Finally you want around 40 minutes on the final question never do the last question first. Because the last question builds on everything else you've already done you don't need to make up new points. You reuse and expand the final question is like an evaluation give 2 for 2 against and use the knowledge and application to get your marks rather than lots and lots of next. What I tend to do to give my points some volume is.. This will lead to effect because of... as a result this will impact the business negatively/positively and link it back to the business objectives.

I finished around 20mins early on mine because the 3rd question was CPA and I can do them very very quickly although I got 100% finishing early doesn't always mean good. Plan your answers and take your time.