GCSE Business
GCSE Business asks learners to calculate and interpret costs, revenue, profit, break-even, cashflow forecasts and profit margins, and to collect, present and judge market research data in two NEA reports worth 40% together. Literacy centres on reading business sources, using business terms precisely and writing reasoned judgements in extended answers and reports. The single biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is confidence with money calculations in a business setting, followed by a written sentence saying what the answer means for the business.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy work
- High
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Introduction to the Business World: Written examination 1 hour 15 minutes, 30%, 60 marks
- Unit 2: Key Business Considerations: NEA 5 hours, 15%, 48 marks, set and marked by WJEC
- Unit 3: Business Strategies for Success: Written examination 1 hour 15 minutes, 30%, 60 marks
- Unit 4: Business Creation: NEA 8 hours, 25%, 60 marks, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
Skills that use Collecting data
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Collecting market research data
Learners carry out primary and secondary market research, use an appropriate sample and design tools such as questionnaires and interview questions. Unit 2 also requires collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
Numeracy: Collecting data, Strategic competence
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils write five closed questions for a tally survey of their class's favourite snacks to decide what a tuck shop should stock.
- Year 8
- Pupils design a short questionnaire mixing closed and open questions about a new canteen product and trial it on another class.
- Year 9
- Pupils choose a sample of 30 people across year groups for a market research survey on a planned enterprise and explain why it matches the target market.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 4, Section 4.2.3 Market research for entrepreneurial opportunities, page 37
“use an appropriate sample • design and use appropriate market research tools to collect data for entrepreneurial opportunities, such as: • questionnaires”
Progression step 3
I can collect relevant data to answer posed questions.
I can identify, measure or obtain required information to complete the task.
Progression step 4
I can collect own data for a survey, e.g. through designing a questionnaire.
I can collect both quantitative and qualitative data.
Progression step 5
I can collect data in a suitable way according to my hypothesis.
I can identify, measure or obtain required information to complete the task.
Good to know
- No marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar or accuracy of language are stated anywhere in the specification; the assessment objectives (page 39) cover knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation, and enquiry skills only.
- Calculator use is not stated in the specification, although both examinations test calculations such as 'calculate and interpret a cashflow forecast' (page 30); 'The Assessment Pack will include all detailed information relating to assessment' (page 39).
- Both examinations are 1 hour 15 minutes and contain 'Questions requiring objective responses, short and extended answers, with some based around applied situations' (page 5).
- Unit 2 and Unit 4 NEA reports 'must be submitted digitally (they may be hand written and scanned, or completed digitally)' (pages 40 and 41), so handwritten work is accepted.
- Unit 2 takes '5 hours' and Unit 4 'will take 8 hours to complete' and 'could be completed in one sitting, or in multiple, shorter sessions' (page 40). No word limits are given.
Links with other qualifications
Appendix A (pages 45 and 46) maps all four literacy strands to every unit and the number system and statistics numeracy strands to every unit, with no geometry or measurement.
Source: WJEC GCSE Business specification, Version 4, September 2025 (teaching from 2025, for award from 2027).