specification overview
Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Business (YBS11) is a modular qualification made up of 4 units, examined in January, June and October. Units 1-2 form the International AS (IAS); units 3-4 add the International A2 for the full IAL. Each unit has its own written paper worth 25% of the IAL.
subject content
1. Marketing and people
Unit 1 (WBS11)- Meeting customer needs; the market and the marketing mix
- Managing people and the entrepreneur
2. Managing business activities
Unit 2 (WBS12)- Raising and managing finance
- Resource management and external influences
3. Business decisions and strategy
Unit 3 (WBS13)- Business objectives and growth
- Decision-making, competitiveness and change
4. Global business
Unit 4 (WBS14)- Globalisation and global markets
- Global marketing and multinational strategy
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 (WBS11) | Marketing and people | 2h | 80 | 25% IAL / 50% IAS | Section A: short and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks). Section B: short and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks). Section C: one 20-mark essay based on source(s) |
| Unit 2 (WBS12) | Managing business activities | 2h | 80 | 25% IAL / 50% IAS | Section A: short and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks). Section B: short and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks). Section C: one 20-mark essay based on source(s) |
| Unit 3 (WBS13) | Business decisions and strategy (assumes units 1-2 knowledge) | 2h | 80 | 25% IAL | Section A: short and extended-response questions based on sources (40 marks). Section B: one 20-mark essay. Section C: one 20-mark essay |
| Unit 4 (WBS14) | Global business (assumes units 1-3 knowledge) | 2h | 80 | 25% IAL | Section A: short and extended-response questions based on sources (40 marks). Section B: one 20-mark essay. Section C: one 20-mark essay |
The qualification is modular. Papers are available in January, June and October each year, so units can be sat in stages. The IAS is claimed on completion of units 1-2; the full IAL on completion of all four.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of terms, concepts, theories, methods and models. | 23.8% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding to various business contexts to show how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to issues. | 23.8% |
| AO3 | Analyse business issues, showing an understanding of the causes, costs and consequences for individuals and organisations. | 28.8% |
| AO4 | Evaluate evidence to make informed judgements and propose evidence-based solutions to business issues. | 23.8% |
key tips for success
Plan your unit staging early
Papers are available in January, June and October. Decide with your school which units go in which series so you're not sitting all four at once.
Expect synoptic questions on Units 3 and 4
Later units assume earlier ones. Revise units 1-2 as part of your Unit 3-4 preparation.
Build a case-study bank
Follow global business news throughout the year (FT, BBC Business, Bloomberg). A bank of ~10 well-known firms across sectors is gold for the data-response questions.
Master the strategic frameworks
SWOT, PESTLE, Porter's Five Forces, Ansoff's Matrix. Know when each applies and how to apply them to unseen contexts.
Structure evaluation answers
AO4 is 23.8% and rewards judgement. Every extended-response answer needs a defensible conclusion backed by weighted arguments.
Know the difference between IAS and IAL
Units 1-2 make up the International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS), a standalone qualification. Adding units 3-4 gives you the full IAL.
Where to next
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