Strategic management — AS & A Level Business (9609) questions by topic
Market-entry methods, scenario planning, Ansoff's matrix and corporate planning are the focus of this topic, tested through 18 real questions set in 2023 to 2025 papers, worth between 12 and 20 marks.
Evaluate and advise dominate every question here, and to what extent asks how far a single strategic tool alone is sufficient, which the reports say is repeatedly answered by analysing the tool itself rather than applying it to the named business. Because a final judgement not linked back to the question is flagged as a repeated weakness, drafting a full advise response and getting it marked instantly checks whether the conclusion actually answers what was asked.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is analysing strategic tools such as SWOT or PEST as the focus of the answer, when the question does not ask for that.
- Examiners repeatedly note responses that state another approach is more useful without linking that judgement back to the specific question asked.
- Reports flag candidates who merely copy the case rather than analysing it, or who define a tool such as SWOT without demonstrating strong understanding of it.
- Strong answers understand the opportunities of market knowledge offered by a named entry method, weighed against the disadvantages of reliance on another business and loss of control.
- Strong responses combine different elements of the case data into one chain of analysis, pointing to multiple examples of good decision-making before reaching a supported judgement.
May–June 2025, Paper 41
Advise Mario on the most appropriate approach he should use to develop a new business strategy to improve the performance of RR against its competitors.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 42
Evaluate the usefulness to QA of the approaches used to develop its business strategy between 2021 and 2024.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 43
Advise CH on the best approach to develop a future business strategy.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
Advise Nala on the most important elements to be included in a corporate plan for the future of the city Z branch.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 43
Advise KF whether using Ansoff's matrix is sufficient to develop a successful growth strategy.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 41
Evaluate the extent to which corporate planning could have prevented the 'Fly-away' promotion crisis.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 43
Advise the Board of Directors on whether scenario planning is the most useful approach to develop a new business strategy for FB.
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 42
Advise Ruhi on whether Porter's five forces analysis is the most useful approach when developing S2U's new business strategy.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 41
Evaluate whether LH made the correct strategic decision to take over PS.
Answer this question and get it marked →Advise Sanjay on an operations strategy for LH to overcome the problems it is experiencing.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 42
Evaluate the extent to which leadership contributed to BV's effective strategic management between 2009 and 2022.
Answer this question and get it marked →Advise the Board of Directors on a marketing strategy to use when BV enters the market in country X.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 43
Evaluate RHR's marketing strategy between 1995 and 2021.
Answer this question and get it marked →Advise Carmen on whether the use of a core competence framework is sufficient to develop a successful new business strategy for RHR.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 31
Evaluate which method CP should use to enter the market in country D.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Advise Jimmy on the extent to which external influences will impact on the success of PV's future business strategy.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Advise Jane on whether blue ocean strategy is the most useful approach as she attempts to diversify the business.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 43
Advise Carlos on which approaches RT should use to develop a business strategy to achieve 'profit through diversification'.
Answer this question and get it marked →