The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Business Studies outlines the nature and purpose of the subject Business Studies. This guides the philosophy underpinning the teaching and assessment of the subject in Grade 12.
The purpose of these Examination Guidelines is to:
- Outline the format/structure of the Grade 12 question papers for Business Studies.
- Provide clarity on the depth and scope of the content to be assessed in the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examination in Business Studies.
- Assist teachers to adequately prepare learners for the examinations.
- Serve as a guideline for the setting of various types of questions/formulation of questions when assessing the four main topics of Business Studies as stipulated in the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements/CAPS.
This document deals with the quarterly, half yearly, trial/preparatory and the final Grade 12 external examinations. It does not deal in any depth with School-Based Assessment (SBA), non-examinations/time constraint examinations.
These Exam Guidelines should be read in conjunction with:
- The National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS): Business Studies
- The National Protocol of Assessment (NPA): An addendum to the policy document, the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), regarding the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R–12)
- The National Policy Pertaining to the Programme and Promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement (NPPPP), Grades R–12
Teachers must note that these are only guidelines and changes in the business environment should be taken into consideration when topics are taught.
New/Recent or amended legislation, new developments or changing economic condition which affect the business environment should inform the teaching of Business Studies.
NOTE:
1. It must be emphasised that teachers should not only focus on content, but also link it to the cognitive levels (low, middle and high order thinking) in their teaching and assessment. Teachers are encouraged to consider the following five aspects when teaching and assessing all topics and sub-topics:
- What? (nature, purpose and knowledge) [low order]
- How? (skills, knowledge and values) [low and middle order]
- Why? [middle and higher cognitive levels are stimulated when forming an opinion]
- Is it working/successful/good/bad? (evaluation/critical analysis/impact [high order] is addressed)
- Recommendations for improvement, where applicable.
2. The above aspects will guide teachers to set/design formal assessment activities that will address all cognitive levels. Learners are equipped to respond to questions/tasks that require different levels of cognitive thinking and difficulty.
3. ALL assessment tasks (informal and formal) should contain questions/instructions that cover all cognitive levels that range from simple to complex, e.g. list/outline/identify/discuss/ analyse/critically evaluate/evaluate/suggest/recommend/advise.