2013 HSC MID-YEAR EXAMINATION
BUSINESS STUDIES – MAPPING GRID
Exam
Section
Part A:
Multiple
Choice
Part B:
Free
Response
Part C:
Part D:
Question
Marks
Syllabus/Course
Outcomes
Content
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
10
Marketing
Operations
Marketing
Operations
Operations
Marketing
Operations
Operations
Operations
Marketing
Operations
Marketing
Marketing
Operations
Marketing
Operations
Marketing
Operations
Marketing
Marketing
Marketing
Operations
23
20
Marketing
2-6
24
20
20
Marketing/
Operations
Marketing/
Operations
2-6
25
H2, H5
H2
H6, H9
H6
H2
H2
H1
H8
H4
H7
H3
H5
H5, H6
H1
H7
H6
H3
H5
H1, H2
H3, H7
H1, H2, H5, H9
H3, H4, H5, H6,
H8
H1, H2, H6, H8,
H9
H2, H4, H5, H6,
H8
H1, H2, H4, H5,
H6, H8
Targeted
Performance
Bands
3-4
2-3
3-4
3-4
3-4
5-6
2-3
3-4
4-5
3-4
3-4
4-5
2-3
4-5
5-6
3-4
4-5
2-3
3-4
3-4
2-3
2-3
Answer
C
B
C
A
D
C
B
A
D
A
C
B
D
A
B
A
A
D
A
D
2-6
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to prepare this Examination in accordance with the Board of Studies documents. No guarantee or warranty is made or
implied that the Examination paper mirrors in every respect the actual HSC Examination question paper in this course. This paper does not constitute
‘advice’ nor can it be construed as an authoritative interpretation of Board of Studies intentions. No liability for any reliance, use or purpose related to
this paper is taken. Advice on HSC examination issues is only to be obtained from the NSW Board of Studies. The publisher does not accept any
responsibility for accuracy of papers which have been modified.
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
1
2013 HSC MID-YEAR EXAMINATION
BUSINESS STUDIES – MARKING GUIDELINES
Part A – 20 marks
Questions 1-20 (1 mark each)
Question
Correct Response
Outcomes Assessed
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
C
B
C
A
D
C
B
A
D
A
C
B
D
A
B
A
A
D
A
D
H2, H5
H2
H6, H9
H6
H2
H2
H1
H8
H4
H7
H3
H5
H5, H6
H1
H7
H6
H3
H5
H1, H2
H3, H7
Targeted
Performance Bands
3-4
2-3
3-4
3-4
3-4
5-6
2-3
3-4
4-5
3-4
3-4
4-5
2-3
4-5
5-6
3-4
4-5
2-3
3-4
3-4
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
2
Part B –20 marks
Question 21 (10 marks)
21 (a) (2 marks)
Outline the role of market research in successfully launching a new product range.
Outcomes Assessed: H1
Targeted Performance Bands: 2-3


Criteria
Provides a clear outline of the role of market research in successfully launching
a new product range
Makes some reference to market research and its role
Marks
2
1
Sample answer
Market research attempts to identify opportunities for the successful launching of a new
product range. Market research is the systematic collection, recording and analysing of
information regarding a specific marketing issue. Without adequate market research a new
product may fail as it would not satisfy the needs of a significant target market.
21 (b) (4 marks)
Describe TWO key features of the selected target market that would have convinced Madeline
to focus on this group.
Outcomes Assessed: H2, H4
Targeted Performance Bands: 3-4



Criteria
Provides a detailed description of TWO key and appropriate features of the
selected target market that would have convinced Madeline to focus on this
group
Provides a detailed description of ONE key feature of the selected target
market that would have convinced Madeline to focus on this group
OR
Briefly refers to TWO features of the selected market that have some relevance
to the product being successful
Marks
3-4
1-2
Sample answer
Target market selected was the 50+ age group. Key features of this group could include:
* High levels of disposable income
* Concern for skin protection
* Preference for organic products over (chemicals)
* Need for greater significant skin care issues that need addressing due to being older age
group
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
3
21 (c) (4 marks)
Explain and justify ONE marketing strategy which has been adopted by Madeline to market
her products.
Outcomes Assessed: H5, H9
Targeted Performance Bands: 4-6


Criteria
Explains with supporting argument ONE valid marketing strategy which has
been adopted by Madeline to market her products
Makes less detailed reference to a marketing strategy that would not be as
appropriate
Marks
3-4
1-2
Sample answer
Any ONE of the two marketing strategies which Madeline used could be discussed.
These include:
* Place/distribution strategies such as ‘selective’
or
* Product/high quality product
Question 22 (10 marks)
22 (a) (2 marks)
Identify TWO costs associated with maintaining large levels of inventory.
Outcomes Assessed: H4, H8
Targeted Performance Bands: 2-3


Criteria
Identifies TWO relevant costs associated with maintaining large levels of
inventory
Identifies ONE relevant cost associated with maintaining large levels of
inventory or names two costs that may not be so relevant
Marks
2
1
Sample answer
Costs associated with maintaining large levels of inventory include:
* Capital which is invested and cannot be utilised elsewhere as it has been used inventory
* Storage
* Insurance
* Theft
* Obsolescence
*Wastage and deterioration
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
4
22 (b) (2 marks)
Outline TWO examples of corporate social responsibility.
Outcomes Assessed: H3
Targeted Performance Bands: 3-4


Criteria
Recognises and outlines TWO examples of corporate social responsibility
Recognises and names ONE example of corporate social responsibility or two
less appropriate examples
Marks
2
1
Sample answer
Examples of Corporate Social Responsibility could include:
* Ensuring no child labour is used by its overseas parts suppliers
* Improving the businesses carbon footprint by 5% each year
* Supporting an initiative to address social disadvantage in the local area
* Providing a safe workplace and appropriate wages
* Providing safe and reliable products
22 (c) (6 marks)
Recommend and justify TWO strategies the business can use to reduce the potential problems
associated with a just-in-time inventory management system.
Outcomes Assessed: H5, H6
Targeted Performance Bands: 4-6




Criteria
Puts forward for consideration, with supporting argument, TWO strategies the
business can adopt to reduce potential problems associated with a just-in-time
inventory management system
Puts forward for consideration, with supporting argument, ONE strategy the
business can adopt to reduce potential problems associated with a just-in-time
inventory management system
OR
Provides characteristics and features of TWO strategies the business can adopt
to reduce potential problems associated with a just-in-time inventory
management system, but with less detail
Sketches in general times a strategy the business can adopt to reduce potential
problems associated with a just-in-time inventory management system
Marks
5-6
3-4
1-2
Sample answer
Examples of strategies to reduce problems associated with just-in-time system include:
* A flexible operations function with flexible processing
* An ability to respond quickly to changes in customer demand
* Very reliable suppliers who can deliver requirements quickly
* A quality stock control system with an effective re-ordering system
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
5
Part C
Question 23 (20 marks)
You have been employed as a consultant to prepare a report for Logan Brothers.
In your report propose and justify how key performance objectives can be refocused, which
aspects of marketing should be outsourced and suitable methods to successfully monitor and
control the marketing process.
Outcomes Assessed: H1, H2, H6, H8, H9
Targeted Performance Bands: 2-6
Criteria
 Presents a sustained, logical and well-structured business report and clearly
communicates using features of a business report with appropriate business
terminology and concepts
 Clearly indicates how key performance objectives can be refocused
 Puts forward for consideration most appropriate aspects of the marketing
process that would be suitable for outsourcing
 Provides detailed evaluation of suitable methods to successfully monitor
and control the marketing process.
 Presents a well organised business report and uses appropriate business
terminology and concepts
 Indicates the ways in which key performance objectives can be adequately
refocused
 Puts forward for consideration suitable aspects of marketing that could be
outsourced
 Provides a valid description of suitable methods to successfully monitor
and control the marketing process
 Includes features of a business report and uses some business terminology
and concepts
 Indicates the ways in which performance objectives may be refocused
 Briefly describes in general terms aspects of the marketing process that
could be outsourced
 Briefly describes methods that could be used to monitor and control the
marketing process
 Includes features of a business report and uses basic business terminology
and concepts
 Identifies some ways in which key performance indicators may be
refocused
 Recognises some areas of marketing that could be outsourced
 May suggest some methods to monitor and control the marketing process
 Uses basic business terminology
 Makes reference to some ways to deal with key performance objectives
 Shows limited understanding of some aspects of marketing and outsourcing
 May recognise aspects monitoring and control
Marks
17-20
13-16
9-12
5-8
1-4
Answers could include:
- information not specifically drawn from the syllabus but which still has
validity in terms of the question asked.
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
6
Responses would need to be in the form of a Business Report.
Refocussing of key performance objectives:
 Outline the range of performance objectives; quality, dependability,
speed, flexibility, customisation and cost
 Prioritise the key performance objectives relating to marketing cane
furniture, e.g. quality, cost and dependability
 Highlight the need for refocusing and how this could best be achieved
Outsourcing of aspects of marketing:
 Overview the range of marketing processes, e.g. market research,
developing marketing strategies, implementing the strategies, e.g.
promotion, and monitoring and controlling the process
 Selecting a suitable aspect for outsourcing such as market research
 Outlining the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing this process
Methods of successfully monitoring and controlling the marketing process:
 Highlighting the importance of monitoring and controlling
 Explaining suitable tools such as developing a financial forecast,
comparing actual and planned results and revising the marketing
process where required
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
7
Part D –20 marks
Question 24 (20 marks)
Evaluate how an understanding of the reasons for resistance to change enables management to
better achieve their business objectives.
Outcomes Assessed: H2, H4, H5, H6, H8
Targeted Performance Bands: 2-6
Criteria
 Clearly identifies and incorporates case studies or study throughout the
response
 Comprehensively identifies the reasons for resistance to change in an
organisation
 Clearly draws out and relates how an understanding of these reasons would
help in achieving the objectives of the business
 Presents a logical well structured answer to the question
 Communicates appropriate business terminology and concepts
 Identifies and incorporates case studies or study throughout the response
 Identifies the reasons for resistance to change in a business organisation
 Draws out and relates the links between understanding these reasons and
being able to achieve the objectives of the business
 Presents a logical well structured answer to the question and communicates
appropriate business terminology and concepts
 Describes business case study or case studies and makes some reference to
them or it
 Identifies some of the main reasons for resistance to change
 Relates some aspects of the link between understanding these reasons and
achieving business success
 Communicates using some terminology and concepts
 Describes business case study or case studies
 Identifies limited factors relating to resistance to change
 Outlines some of the relationship between being aware of these reasons and
achieving business success
 Communicates using some terminology
 Makes some reference to case studies
 Lists limited factors causing change to be resisted
 Lists some aspects of the relationship between being aware of these reasons
and business success
 Uses basic business terminology
Marks
17-20
13-16
9-12
5-8
1-4
Answers could include:
- information from many areas of the syllabus or not drawn from the syllabus but having
validity in terms of the question asked.
Reasons for resistance to change
 Financial costs such as:
*purchasing new equipment
*redundancy payouts
*retraining
*reorganising plant layout
 Inertia of management and
owners
Range of business objectives.
 Operational goals/objectives
 Financial goals/objectives
 Marketing goals/objectives
 Human resource
goals/objectives
 Environmental
goals/objectives
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
8
Question 25 (20 marks)
Evaluate the key global marketing strategies a business may adopt to help it achieve success
in the global market.
Outcomes Assessed: H1, H2, H4, H5, H6, H8
Targeted Performance Bands: 2-6
Criteria
 Clearly identifies and incorporates case studies or study throughout the
response
 Comprehensively identifies the full range of global marketing strategies
 Clearly draws out and relates how these strategies would lead to success in
the global market
 Presents a logical well structured answer to the question in the global
context
 Communicates appropriate business terminology and concepts
 Identifies and incorporates case studies or study throughout the response
 Identifies the range of global marketing strategies
 Draws out and relates how these strategies could contribute to global
marketing success
 Presents a logical well structured answer to the question and communicates
appropriate business terminology and concepts
 Describes business case study or case studies and makes some reference to
them or it
 Identifies some of the key global marketing strategies
 Relates some aspects of the relationship between these strategies and
success in global marketing
 Communicates using some terminology and concepts
 Describes business case study or case studies
 Identifies a limited number of global marketing strategies
 Outlines some aspects of the links between these strategies and success in
global marketing
 Communicates using some terminology
 Makes some reference to case studies
 Lists limited aspects of global marketing strategies
 Shows limited links between global marketing strategies and global
marketing success
 Uses basic business terminology
Marks
17-20
13-16
9-12
5-8
1-4
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
9
Answers could include:
- information from many areas of the syllabus or not specifically drawn from the syllabus but
having validity in terms of the question asked.
Global marketing strategies
 Global branding
 Standardisation
 Customisation
 Global pricing
 Competitive positioning
Indicators of global marketing success
 Market share
 Penetration of new markets
 Contribution to profitability,
growth, and solvency for the
business in the long and
short term
 Success as a business in
terms of environmental
sustainability and corporate
responsibility
Answers would need to show how the use of selected and appropriate global marketing
strategies would help contribute to the global marketing success of business in general and
selected case studies in particular.
MIDBS13_GUIDELINES
10