Version 1.0: 0507 abc General Certificate of Secondary Education Business & Communication Systems 3126 Paper 1 Foundation Tier Mark Scheme 2007 examination -June series Mark schemes are prepared by the Principal Examiner and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation meeting attended by all examiners and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation meeting ensures that the mark scheme covers the candidatesresponses to questions and that every examiner understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for the standardisation meeting each examiner analyses a number of candidatesscripts: alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed at the meeting and legislated for. If, after this meeting, examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been discussed at the meeting they are required to refer these to the Principal Examiner. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of candidatesreactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one years document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this Mark Scheme are available to download from the AQA Website: www.aqa.org.uk Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered centres for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre. Set and published by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance. The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723) and a registered charity (registered charity number 1073334). Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX Dr Michael Cresswell Director GeneralBusiness & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 3 Business & Communication Systems 3126/1F 1 Total for this question: 8 marks (a) Which of the following is an input device? (1 mark) Mouse. (b) Which type of printer would be best for producing high quality colour photographs? (1 mark) Laser. (c) Which term describes a system where employees do not have their own desk, but use any available workstation in the office? (1 mark) Hot desking. (d) Which software would be most suitable for producing the layout of a newsletter with photographs? (1 mark) Desktop publishing. (e) Which of the following is an example of informal communication? (1 mark) Chat over coffee. (f) Which of the following is an organisation which is paid by other businesses to find suitable candidates for a vacancy? (1 mark) Private Recruitment Agency. (g) Which law makes it illegal to pay men and women different amounts for doing similar work? (1 mark) Equal Pay Act. (h) Which of the following is training which takes employees away from their normal work? (1 mark) Off-the-job. Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 4 2 Total for this question: 8 marks (a) Explain one advantage to Pauls business of effective communication with his customers. (2 marks) 1 + 1 for advantage + explanation. Possible answers include; Effective communication means his customers will know what Paul sells (1). They will then be more likely to buy from his store (1) they will understand more what he is selling (1) profit increase. They will know what prices he charges (1). They will know where his store is (1). A sense of when the store is open (1). A sense of repeat business or loyalty of customers (1). Customers might feel that the staff are friendly (1). Recommend Fresh Fare to family and friends. (b) Explain two disadvantages to Pauls business of poor communication with his employees. (4 marks) 2 x (1 + 1) for disadvantage + explanation. Possible answers include; Employees wont know what to do (1) so important tasks wont be completed (1). Employees wont feel involved (1) so will not be motivated to work hard (1). Employees wont all be working towards the same goals (1) so customers will be confused (1). Poor customer service /Employees might have a bad attitude towards customers (1). Employees wont know things (eg, opening times /stock etc) (1) so customers might shop somewhere else (1). Employees stress level, tension, between employees, arguments, demotivation -not productive MARKING CRITERIA FOR QUALITY OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Intermediate Performance Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of 2 marks grammar with considerable accuracy; they use specialist terms with facility. Threshold Performance Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of 1 mark grammar with reasonable accuracy; they use specialist terms appropriately. Below Threshold Performance 0 marks Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 5 3 Total for this question: 24 marks (a) Explain two reasons why it is important for Paul to have a workstation which will allow him to work comfortably and safely. (4 marks) 2 x (1 + 1) for reason + explanation. Possible answers include; He will be able to get more work done if he is comfortable (1), as he will be more efficient in his work /will create more profit for the business (1) no concern for safety hazards (1) will be more focused (1). If he is not safe he could injure himself (1) and need time off work (1). To prevent RSI (NOT may getRSI) (1). (b) (i) Choose a suitable desk and chair for Paul from the advertisement opposite. For each item that you have chosen, write the letter and price in the table below. (4 marks) Item letter Price A (1) £34 (1) F (1) £164 (1) Award marks for price if consistent with item chosen, even if item chosen is incorrect. Item letter Price B £12 (1) C £65 (1) D £350 (1) E £164 (1) Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 6 (ii) Explain why the desk and chair that you have listed in (b)(i) above are suitable for Paul. (4 marks) Possible answers include; Desk: Any valid points, for example; It has storage space (1) so he has somewhere to keep papers /so will not lose important documents (1). It has a cable tidy (1) so the computer cables will be out of the way /so he wont fall over them (1). He has enough space for his legs /computer /papers (1), so that he can keep his circulation going when working /has enough room to work /enough room for his papers (1). It is an office desk (1) and it can be locked. Any health and safety issues. Chair: Any valid points, for example; Adjustable height and tilt so he can adjust it to the correct height (1) to suit his body shape (1). It has castors to make it easy to move around (1) so he wont get stuck in one position (1). It is comfortable (1) so he can concentrate on his work (1). Any health and safety issues. 3 x (1+1) for three different actions plus explanation: Possible answers include; Sit in the correct posture (1) (mark may be given for examples, eg arms, wrists and fingers relaxed and supported, wrists straight and higher than fingers) this will help prevent injuries such as RSI (1). Adjust his chair so that he can sit with his back straight (1) to prevent back ache (1). Use an anti-glare screen/light diffusers /have good lighting (1) so that his eyes are not strained or damaged (1). Adjust his monitor so it is angled towards his face (1) so he does not strain his neck (1). Have his eyes tested regularly (1) to ensure that he is not damaging his eyes (1). Take regular breaks (1) so he doesnt get eye strain (1). Exercise regularly (1) as he is sitting down all day (1). Any valid points. (c) Explain three actions that Paul should take to protect his health when using the computer. For each action, explain how it will protect his health. (6 marks)Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 7 Any two valid points, font formatting features count as one. Must be features of WP, not computer use in general (1 mark for each feature). Possible answers include; Can change fonts, size, style, colour of text Cut and paste Margins Bullets/numbered lists Tables Find and change Alignment Line spacing Insert, edit, delete Templates Mail merge ClipArt/pictures/graphics Headers & footers Shading/highlighting Watermark Backgrounds Wizards Text boxes Columns Symbols Borders/frames Draw Spell check Automatic page numbering. 2 x (1 + 1) for explanations or examples of how each feature might be used. For example; He could use it to produce posters to use in the shop (1) using different fonts/styles to make important information stand out (1). Use templates to set up standard letter layout for his business (1) so that all his letters look professional (1). Paul could use mail merge to send letters to his customers (1). It would save him time typing out each customers address individually (1). (d) (i) & (ii) State two features of word processing software which Paul might find useful. For each feature, explain how useful it would be to Paul in running his business. (6 marks) Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 8 4 Total for this question: 26 marks (a) Explain one reason why Paul might have decided to advertise this post in The Shopkeeper. (2 marks) 1 + 1 for reason + development. Possible answers include; To reach people with experience in retail (1) because he needs someone who needs no training (1). It reaches people outside the local area (1) as he wants a number of people to apply (1). Read by people who enjoy working in retail (1) and may want promotion (1). (b) Explain one disadvantage to Paul of advertising this post in The Shopkeeper. (2 marks) (1 + 1) for disadvantage + development. Possible answers include; This will only reach managers and owners (1) who are not likely to want to take an Assistant Managers job (1). This will be expensive (1) and will reach people out of the local area who are unlikely to move for this type of work (1). It is not aimed at people specifically looking for a job (1). Limited readership (1) and therefore fewer applicants (1). Only published once a month (1) needs more regular circulation. (c) Choose two items of essential information from the advertisement below. For each item of information that you have chosen, explain why it must be included. (6 marks) 2 x (1 + 2) for essential item + reason + development. Possible answers include; Job title (1) must be included because people looking for a job look at this first (1) because they need to know whether it is something for which they have the skills/interests (1). Contact details (1) must be there so that interested applicants can find out more information (1) and know where to send their application (1). Name of organisation (1) job-seekers would want to know where they would be working (1) so they can decide whether it is the sort of organisation they would like to work for (1). Hours of work (1). Pre-requisites /experience (1). Competitive Salary (1). Job role /responsibilities (1). Picture (1) because it attracts the eye to the advertisement (1) and gives an idea of what the job involves (1). Herefords premier convenience store (1) because people would be likely to apply if they thought it was a successful business (1) because this might lead to good job security (1). to be responsible for the day-to-day running of our store(1) would attract people who like a challenge (1) and would enjoy being the one in charge (1). Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 9 (d) Choose two other items of information from the advertisement opposite. For each item of information that you have chosen, explain why you think that Paul included it. (6 marks) 2 x (1 + 1 + 1) for information not already awarded in (c) + explanation + development. Possible answers include; Picture (1) because it attracts the eye to the advertisement (1) and gives an idea of what the job involves (1). Herefords premier convenience store (1) because people would be likely to apply if they thought it was a successful business (1) because this might lead to good job security (1). to be responsible for the day-to-day running of our store(1) would attract people who like a challenge (1) and would enjoy being the one in charge (1). Job title (1) must be included because people looking for a job look at this first (1) because they need to know whether it is something for which they have the skills/interests (1). Contact details (1) must be there so that interested applicants can find out more information (1) and know where to send their application (1). Name of organisation (1) job-seekers would want to know where they would be working (1) so they can decide whether it is the sort of organisation they would like to work for (1). Hours of work (1). Competitive Salary (1). Pre-requisites /experience (1). Job role /responsibilities (1). Any valid explanations. Award marks for essential items if not already given in (c). MARKING CRITERIA FOR QUALITY OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (4c & 4d) High Performance Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of 3 marks grammar with almost faultless accuracy; they use specialist terms adeptly and with precision. Intermediate Performance Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of 2 marks grammar with considerable accuracy; they use specialist terms with facility. Threshold Performance Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of 1 mark of grammar with reasonable accuracy; they use specialist terms appropriately. Below Threshold Performance 0 marks Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 10 (e) Paul receives 25 applications for the post of Assistant Manager. Explain one step that Paul is likely to take in selecting the best candidate for the job. (2 marks) (1 + 1) for step plus explanation. Possible answers include; Read through any aspect of application forms/CVs eg, Qualifications/experience (1) to compare applications with person specification (1). Shortlist some candidates (1) and decide to invite them for interview (1). Interview candidates (1) to find out their attitude/appearance/communication skills/whether they would fit in with existing workforce (1). Check references (1) to get a previous employers view of their suitability (1). (f) Name two laws which prohibit discrimination in the workplace. (2 marks) 1 each for any two from: Sex Discrimination Act, Race Relations Act, Disability Discrimination Act, Employment Equality (Age) Regulations Equal Pay Act, Human Rights Act, Equal Pay Act, Equal Opportunities Act. (g) Helga, the new Assistant Manager, receives a written statement of her terms and conditions of employment. List three items which should be included in the written statement. (3 marks) 1 mark each for any three from: Names of employer and employee. Job title /what they are employed to do but NOT job description. Start date. Details of salary. Hours of work. Holiday entitlement & pay. Information relating to pensions. Sick pay. Length of notice required from both sides. Details of grievance and disciplinary procedures & dismissal. Signatures. Business & Communications 3126/1F -AQA GCSE Mark Scheme 2007 June series 11 5 Total for this question: 14 marks (a) (i) & (ii) Give two examples of fringe benefits which the Assistant Manager is likely to receive. For each example, explain one advantage to Fresh Fare of giving the Assistant Manager the fringe benefits. (6 marks) Possible fringe benefits include; Discount on produce, medical insurance, mobile phone, medical insurance, vehicle, pension, laptop. NOT: car allowance, discounted gym membership, holidays, bonuses. (1 + 2) x 2 for advantage of fringe benefit to the business plus development. Possible answers include; Company car (1) so they can drive and see new suppliers /make deliveries /run errands (1). Discount on produce (1) would mean the manager would eat the produce sold in the shop (1) so would have first hand knowledge when answering customer enquiries (1). Medical insurance (1) if assistant manager is ill they would be able to get treatment more quickly (1) and be back at work sooner (1). Allow general advantages relating to motivation of assistant manager, happy, more inclined to work, feel good, contented. (b) Using the information above, and the Assistant Managers hours of work given in the advertisement on page 12, calculate Helgas overtime payment for the first week. Show your workings. (8 marks) Overtime hours in week: 1 hour (1) x 3 times per week (1) = 3 hours Payment = 3 x £15 (1) = £45 (1) -OFR Overtime hours on Sunday = 4 (1) Payment = 4 x £20 (1) = £80 (1) Total overtime payment = £45 + £80 = £125 (1) OFR OR £45 (4) £80 (3) £125 (8)