O-LevelBusiness StudiesOperations management7115/21 · Oct/Nov 2014 · Q320 Marks

Identify and explain two appropriate ways in which the results from the question 'do you have a bank account?' in Appendix 3 could be presented.

(a)Identify and explain two appropriate ways in which the results from the question 'do you have a bank account?' in Appendix 3 could be presented.[8]
(b)PB needs to close some of its branches as more customers use online banking. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of branch X and branch Y. Recommend which branch PB should close. Justify your answer.[12]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[8] Content:
Bar chart (1) Sketch of bar chart (1) – is easy to see total numbers (1) – easy to see which are the highest/lowest totals (1).
Pie chart (1) Sketch of pie chart (1) – is easy to see the proportions (1) – easy to see which is the largest/smallest proportion of the figures (1).
Also accept - Pictogram/Table
1 mark for each way identified (2 marks max). 1 mark is available for presenting the results for 'do you have a bank account' (2 marks max).
Up to two further marks are available for explaining the way (4 mark max).
[12] Content:
Branch X Advantages:
- Branch manager will have a personal knowledge of the existing customers
- Has many regular customers
- No competition nearby.
Branch X Disadvantages:
- Small town so few potential new customers
- Long queues may put off new customers
- Not easy to accommodate new customers.
Branch Y Advantages:
- Located in busy area
- Used by many tourists
- Not busy for most of the day so easy to serve new customers.
Branch Y Disadvantages:
- Not many local customers
- Lots of competitors nearby
- High rent/cost of city centre location.
Level 1: 1 mark for each advantage/disadvantage e.g. There are not many banks nearby to branch X and therefore this means there is little competition. (1 mark plus 1 Application mark for ‘not many banks nearby')
Level 2: 5 marks for the first level 2 answer and then one extra mark for each additional level 2 answer up to maximum of 8 marks e.g. There are not many banks nearby to branch X and therefore this means there is little competition. Yet as a small town it means the number of customers is limited.
5 marks for level 2 answer plus one application mark for making reference to 'not many banks nearby' in the answer.
Level 3: Detailed discussion of at least two level 2 answers, then a recommendation at the end which justifies which branch to close and which should be kept open.