Business Studies 2025 HSC exam pack

Students should:

• read the question carefully to ensure that they do not miss important components of the question
• have a clear understanding of key words in the question and recognise the intent of the question and its requirements
• use the first page of the answer booklet for an extended response to develop a plan to assist in the logical sequencing of information
• engage with what the question is asking rather than presenting a pre-prepared response
• relate to the question throughout the response, rather than just at the beginning
• sustain their judgements throughout the response, where applicable, with a clear connection to the question
• use relevant business terms and concepts, where applicable, to support their response
• apply relevant business case study/studies and contemporary business issues where applicable
• present a sustained, logical and cohesive response, where applicable, that addresses the question
• review their response to ensure that it addresses the question requirements.

Question 21

In better responses, students were able to:

• use the information in the stimulus to demonstrate understanding of key concepts
• show how a legal regulation can impact the operations of the cafe business
• apply knowledge of outsourcing to explain the impact on operations.

Areas for students to improve include:

• showing understanding of the difference between goods and services
• ensuring the legal regulation explained is relevant to the business provided in the stimulus
• addressing multiple issues for the business in adopting outsourcing as an operations strategy.

Question 22

In better responses, students were able to:

• identify clearly elements of both the internal and external business environment
• select relevant product strategies for the business provided in the stimulus
• provide a reason why monitoring and controlling is important for the issue(s) referenced in the stimulus provided.

Areas for students to improve include:

• demonstrating syllabus knowledge of product strategies as part of the marketing mix
• providing clear links between the product strategies and the ability to gain a competitive advantage
• showing understanding of both monitoring and controlling.

Question 23

In better responses, students were able to:

• show how the expense ratio is an indication of efficiency
• make clear links between using comparative ratio analysis and the information provided in the question to improve the financial issue(s) of the business
• interpret and refer to the stimulus data to answer each part of the question
• show how global market influences impact the solvency of the business.

Areas for students to improve include:

• being able to interpret the expense ratio using the data provided
• providing detail of the elements of comparative ratio analysis and how the business uses this tool to improve
• demonstrating understanding of the financial global market influences
• understanding specific finance concepts, such as solvency, rather than making general statements.

Question 24

In better responses, students were able to:

• use examples of technology impacting human resources
• provide two reasons an employer may discourage their employees from joining a union, and the impact of each
• demonstrate knowledge of how the practices outlined in the stimulus were illegal
• integrate relevant legal concepts to show the impacts of the illegal practices.

Areas for students to improve include:

• demonstrating understanding of the key words in the question
• making clear links between the illegal practices identified and the effects on human resources
• showing an understanding of the current legal framework relevant to human resources.

Question 25

In better responses, students were able to:

• give specific purposes of a Gantt chart with reference to sequencing and scheduling
• describe a range of issues arising from the Gantt chart
• make clear recommendations regarding global factors that are related to cost leadership
• incorporate the stimulus information into the response.

Areas for students to improve include:

• providing detail regarding the purpose of the Gantt chart, rather than a description of a Gantt chart
• determining tasks which can be performed simultaneously to reduce overall time, allowing for better planning, such as ordering of inputs
• describing rather than identifying issues from the Gantt chart
• linking global factors specifically to cost leadership
• incorporating the stimulus where relevant. For example, addressing the issue of the product being of poor quality
• understanding syllabus terms correctly, such as research and development.

Question 26

In better responses, students were able to:

• address all four elements of the question, e-marketing, people, processes and physical evidence
• show an accurate understanding of each of the marketing elements identified in the question
• clearly show in detail how target markets affect each of the four elements
• apply relevant case studies in their response.

Areas for students to improve include:

• ensuring they address all parts of the question, e-marketing, people, processes and physical evidence
• having a complete understanding of syllabus terms, such as knowing 'people’ in this context refers to employees and not customers, or distinguishing 'physical evidence’ from branding/packaging
• applying case studies throughout their response, rather than briefly mentioning examples.

Question 27

In better responses, students were able to:

• use a range of strategies for each objective, cash flow management and working capital management for liquidity, profitability management for profitability
• clearly explain how each strategy could help the business achieve the objective
• apply relevant case studies.

Areas for students to improve include:

• identifying more than one strategy for liquidity and more than one strategy for profitability
• linking the strategy to the objective, rather than describing the strategy
• applying case studies throughout their response, rather than briefly mentioning examples.