specification overview
AQA A-Level Business (7132) is a two-year linear qualification covering 10 topics from managers and leadership through to strategic decision-making. Students sit three 2-hour papers at the end of year 13, each worth 33.3%. Assessment uses a mix of multiple choice, short answers, data-response questions, essays and a case-study paper. This specification is outgoing. AQA has accredited a replacement, A-Level Business (7138), for first teaching from September 2026. Continue using 7132 for cohorts taking exams in 2027, which is the final A-level series for this specification. Students starting the course in September 2026 or later should follow 7138 instead.
subject content
1. What is business?
All papers- Understanding the nature and purpose of business
- Different business forms and stakeholders
2. Managers, leadership and decision making
All papers- Role and importance of managers and leaders
- Decision-making approaches and models
3. Decision making to improve marketing performance
All papers- Setting marketing objectives and understanding markets
- Marketing mix (product, price, promotion, place)
4. Decision making to improve operational performance
All papers- Operational objectives, capacity and efficiency
- Managing quality, inventory and suppliers
5. Decision making to improve financial performance
All papers- Financial objectives, budgets and cash flow
- Analysing financial performance and investment appraisal
6. Decision making to improve human resource performance
All papers- HR objectives, workforce planning and organisation
- Motivation, leadership and employer-employee relations
7. Analysing the strategic position of a business
All papers (A-Level only)- Mission, corporate objectives and strategy
- Internal and external analysis (SWOT, PESTLE, Porter)
8. Choosing strategic direction
All papers (A-Level only)- Strategic direction: Ansoff's matrix and market development
- Strategic positioning: Porter's generic strategies
9. Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
All papers (A-Level only)- Assessing methods of growth (organic, mergers, acquisitions)
- Internal versus external growth; retrenchment
10. Managing strategic change
All papers (A-Level only)- Managing change and overcoming resistance
- Managing organisational culture and strategic implementation
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Business 1) | All content across topics 1-10 | 2h | 100 | 33.3% | Section A: 15 MCQs (15 marks). Section B: short-answer questions (35 marks). Sections C and D: essays, one from a choice of two in each (25 marks each) |
| Paper 2 (Business 2) | All content across topics 1-10 | 2h | 100 | 33.3% | Three compulsory data-response questions worth approximately 33 marks each, made up of three or four part questions |
| Paper 3 (Business 3) | All content across topics 1-10 | 2h | 100 | 33.3% | One compulsory case study followed by approximately six questions |
All three papers cover all content, so no topic is 'safe' for any paper. Paper 1 rewards essay technique; Paper 2 rewards data-handling; Paper 3 rewards synoptic analysis of a case study.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge of terms, concepts, theories, methods and models to show an understanding of how businesses operate. | 22-25% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding to various business contexts to show how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to issues. | 24-27% |
| AO3 | Analyse issues within business, showing an understanding of the impact on individuals and organisations of external and internal influences. | 25-28% |
| AO4 | Evaluate quantitative and qualitative information to make informed judgements and propose evidence-based solutions to business issues. | 23-26% |
key tips for success
Check you are on the right specification
7132 is outgoing. Summer 2027 is the last A-level exam series for it. If you started the course in September 2026 or later, you are on the new 7138 specification, which has different content and a different paper structure.
Practise the three paper styles separately
MCQ + essay (Paper 1), data-response (Paper 2), case study (Paper 3) reward different skills. Practise each in isolation before mixing.
Build a case-study bank
Papers use real business contexts. Follow the business news throughout the year (FT, BBC Business) and build short case notes on ~10 well-known firms across sectors.
Practise quantitative techniques
Ratios, percentages, index numbers, investment appraisal, break-even. Practise these until automatic so calculation questions become quick marks.
Learn the strategic frameworks
SWOT, PESTLE, Porter's Five Forces, Ansoff's Matrix, Porter's generic strategies. Know when each applies and how to apply them to unseen contexts.
Structure essays with clear judgement
AO4 is 23-26% and rewards judgement. Every essay needs a defensible conclusion backed by weighted arguments, not just a list of pros and cons.
Manage time across three papers
Each paper is 100 marks in 120 minutes, about 1.2 minutes per mark. Practise timing early so extended answers don't run over.
Where to next
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