Marketing — AS & A Level Business (9609) questions by topic
Product life cycle, coordinated marketing strategy, product portfolio analysis and promotional elasticity of demand structure this topic, drawn from 40 real questions across 2023 to 2025 papers, worth between 5 and 30 marks.
Identify and calculate carry the numerical and definitional items, including working out a percentage change from a given elasticity figure, while evaluate on the case-study essay rewards a balanced argument on marketing decisions made within the stated time period, not before or after it. Reports repeatedly flag analysis of activity outside the dates given in the question, so drafting a response that checks every date against the case and submitting it for instant marking guards against that specific error.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is analysing marketing activity from years that fall outside the time period specified in the question, which is not rewarded.
- Examiners repeatedly note candidates re-stating the case study, rewriting the case material and adding no analysis of their own.
- Reports flag many candidates giving only a simple judgement on new product development without a second set of evaluative reasoning to achieve full evaluation marks.
- Strong answers look at two or three key marketing activities and discuss why each may have been chosen, giving a balanced argument for and against.
- Strong responses show cause and effect, for example that a coordinated marketing strategy ensures the elements of the marketing mix support each other, leading to more sales per dollar of marketing budget.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
May–June 2025, Paper 12
Analyse one reason why a business might use cost-based pricing.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
Analyse one advantage to a business of using mass marketing.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 31
Using the data in Table 1.2, calculate the average seasonal variation for Quarter 4.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 33
Use the data in Table 1.1 and Table 1.2 and assume no other changes. Calculate the expected revenue for the year ending 30 April 2026 if WCP increases promotional spending from…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 42
Advise QA on a coordinated marketing strategy for the future success of QA2.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
May–June 2024, Paper 12
Analyse one reason why product differentiation may be important to a business.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
May–June 2024, Paper 31
Calculate the price elasticity of demand (PED) for GBS's gravel product when the price decreased from $90 to $81 per tonne.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 32
Refer to Table 1.1. Calculate for quarter 1, 2023, the seasonal variation.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 33
Analyse two benefits to SCC of developing new clothing products made from recycled materials.
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to Table 1.2. Calculate the price elasticity of demand (PED) for bespoke clothing.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
October–November 2024, Paper 12
Analyse two benefits to a business of customer relationship marketing. (Answer Question 5 OR Question 6.)
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
Define the term product differentiation.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
Identify one stage of the product life cycle.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 31
Analyse two benefits to TC of marketing planning for the new range of chocolate bars.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 32
Analyse two factors influencing HCC's method of entry into international markets.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 33
Refer to line 29. Calculate the forecast change in sales for pay as you go fitness classes if average incomes decrease by 6%.
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 12
February–March 2023, Paper 32
Assume FWB increases spending on promotion by 20% and the promotional elasticity of demand is 0.8. Calculate the percentage change in FWB's revenue.
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 42
Evaluate the success of S2U's marketing strategy between 2016 and 2022.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Define the term product differentiation.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Analyse two benefits to a business of having a product with a unique selling point (USP).
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
May–June 2023, Paper 23
Identify one element of the marketing mix.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 31
Using the data in Table 1.1, calculate the seasonal variation for 2022 Q2 (X).
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 32
Analyse two elements of OV's marketing strategy that will need to change to sell successfully to retailers.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 33
Refer to Table 1.2. Calculate the price elasticity of demand for shopping tours.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Analyse two advantages to a business of mass marketing.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Analyse two reasons why there should be a close link between the marketing objectives of a business and its corporate objectives.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Analyse one impact on a business's marketing decisions of using product portfolio analysis.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Identify one method of market segmentation.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 32
Evaluate the importance to CQ's future success of new product development.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 33
Analyse two benefits to HP of its coordinated marketing strategy.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Evaluate PV's marketing strategy between 2012 and 2021.
Answer this question and get it marked →