Cambridge International AS & A Level: Business 9609/12 March 2020
Cambridge International AS & A Level: Business 9609/12 March 2020
Cambridge International AS & A Level: Business 9609/12 March 2020
BUSINESS 9609/12
Paper 1 Short Answer and Essay March 2020
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 40
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the March 2020 series for most Cambridge
IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors
for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Marks are awarded for each answer when the following Assessment Objectives (AO) are met. The
mark scheme for each answer indicates when and how each AO can be met.
(a) Questions 1, 2, and 4 will meet this AO using definitions and explanations of business
concepts.
(b) Question 3 provides an opportunity for the application and a more developed explanation of
a business concept. The 4–5-mark level specifically provides for this more developed
explanation.
(a) Questions 5, 6, and 7 still require supporting Knowledge and Understanding (AO1), but
there is now a focus on Application (AO2), Analysis (AO3), and Evaluation (AO4). These
skills are set out below:
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of business concepts to general and specific
situations and contexts.
(a) Where a specific business or context is named in the question then the candidate is required
to relate answers specifically to this business or context.
(b) It is not sufficient to merely repeat the name of the business or the context.
AO3 Analyse business problems, issues, situations and contexts, through a discussion
and interpretation of evidence, debate, theory, impact and consequence, to produce
reasoned and coherent arguments.
(a) Level 3 answers will likely use terms such as - because, leads to, therefore, so that, as a
result, consequently – thereby showing analytical development for AO3.
(a) When an attempt is made, (probably in a concluding section of an answer), to address and
comment on the value and validity of the previous analysis.
(b) These comments may be quite brief and be more opinionated than reasoned.
(c) A mere concluding summary of preceding analysis is, however, not evaluation.
Annotation Use
As an indication of relevant and rewardable content. Better to put these in the body
of the answer.
NAQ Used when the answer or parts of the answer are not answering the question asked.
BOD Used when the benefit of the doubt is given in order to reward a response.
K Indicates knowledge and understanding of the concepts and issues relating to the
question.
APP Indicates that general business application has been shown in the response.
CON Indicates that the specific context of the question has been addressed.
X CON A combination of X and CON. Used at the end of an answer to indicate that context
has not been addressed.
SEEN Indicates that content has been recognised but not rewarded.
An incorrect definition for Part (a) due to a misinterpretation of the question is given 0 marks.
If that misinterpretation also applies to Part (b) a maximum of 2 marks may be awarded if the answer
is relevant and is developed based on the incorrect answer to Part (a).
1(b) Explain two ways a business could extend a product’s life cycle. 3
2(b) Award BOD for answers that present logical benefits to a business of
having a range of specialised / skilled / flexible employees. (1 mark for
each benefit – maximum 2 marks).
Trade receivables (debtors who have bought goods on credit) are shown
on the statement of financial position (balance sheet). They are one of the
current assets.
Cash flow is the sum of cash payments to a business (inflows) less the
sum of cash payments (outflows).
• If credit control encourages trade receivables to pay for their goods and
services more promptly this will bring money into the business more
quickly and so improve cash inflow, therefore improving overall cash
flow.
• If a business can delay the payment of its trade payables this will keep
money in the business for longer, reducing cash outflow, therefore
improving overall cash flow.
• The more goods the house builder can buy on credit the more they can
delay the payment of trade payables until after payment of trade
receivables. This will reduce cash outflows and improve the overall
cash flow.
• Accept debt factoring as a management method.
• Accept keeping of good records as better management.
Application
Analysis
• There are several ways of measuring the size of a business which may
give different results and may suggest different advantages.
• These advantages (and possibly limitations) may be referenced after
each method is described and analysed.
• Advantages may be identified in a concluding section.
• Revenue – useful when comparing firms in the same industry but some
businesses may sell high value products while others sell low value
products, so the measurement is skewed.
Application
Analysis
• Flexibility – easier to form, manage and run and less strictly regulated
than companies. Partners (not shareholders) decide how the business
is run so have more flexible management.
• Decision Making – is shared and partners can help each other out when
needed. More business ideas and better problem solving.
5(b) • Agreement – all partners must agree which can restrict management of
the business. Sole traders free to decide what they want. In limited
companies the directors must follow the will of the shareholders.
• Unlimited liability – each partner shares liability and financial risks. May
put off potential partners. LLP benefits from advantages of limited
liability, with the flexibility of the partnership model.
• Taxation – partners pay tax like sole traders and are self-employed.
They pay higher personal taxation than they would in a limited
company.
Evaluation
Application
Analysis
Evaluation
Application
• Reference to the benefits to a business of motivating its employees.
Analysis
7(b) Discuss whether a salary is the best payment method for motivating 12
employees of a shoe retailer.
Application
Analysis
7(b) • Salary fixed each year, not dependent on number of hours worked (time
rate) or number of units sold (piece rate).
• Given in recognition that hours and workload may vary during the year
and the employee is responsible for working to achieve targets
regardless of time taken.
• A salary may not provide an incentive for a shop assistant to sell more
or provide good customer service.
• Shop assistant could be on time rate as likely to work set hours per
week. If called in extra, would get extra pay per hours worked. Good
incentive to do more hours but may not work any harder.
• Possibility of using other financial reward systems eg bonus,
performance related pay, profit sharing
• Commission (percentage of sales value) would reward the assistants
selling more shoes. Assistants may not want to serve children due to
lower sales value.
Evaluation
• The context is a shoe retailer.
• This could be shown by types of shoes sold, specific shoe retailers.
• Retailer could be shown by the use of relevant employee roles ie shop
assistant, sales supervisor, customer service.
• Recognition that a shoe retailer, like other retailers may have different
types of employees such as full time, part-time, temporary, contract
employees.
• Employees may also have different levels of responsibility.
• Salary payment may be appropriate / the best way of payment to
motivate only a minority of employees in this business.
• Are there more important ways of motivating staff in this type of
business than various methods of financial rewards? For example,
non-financial incentives alongside a perceived ‘fair’ and / or ‘generous’
payment system.
• Reference may well be made here and throughout the essay to
appropriate motivation theorists such as Maslow, Herzberg, Mayo,
McClelland and Vroom.