Business Studies: OCR GCSE Be the Examiner Toolkit

This interactive resource includes extracts from OCR GCSE Business Paper 1 case studies and questions (© OCR). Used under fair dealing for non-commercial educational purposes. This tool is not endorsed by or affiliated with OCR. Shared freely for teaching and learning only.

Be the Examiner: Business Marking Lab is an interactive toolkit that lets students and teachers step into the examiner’s role to practise marking GCSE Business responses. Each case study simulates authentic assessment scenarios, helping users understand how marks are awarded across AO1a–AO3b while sharpening exam technique and evaluative skills.

Text 1: Nina’s Knitting Supplies

Centred on the Nina’s Knitting Supplies context from OCR Paper 1, this marking simulator immerses learners in short-answer and evaluative questions that reflect OCR’s mix of 2, 6, and 7-mark command terms such as “Explain one way,” “Explain how,” and “Evaluate whether or not…”. It allows users to explore the full range of assessment objectives (AO1A–AO3B), identifying where knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation are credited. The HTML framework provides instant feedback, rationale explanations, and optional “Strict Mode” to simulate examiner marking conditions. Its responsive design, intuitive stamping tool, and embedded mark scheme text make it a powerful way to understand how marks are awarded and why balance, application, and contextual reasoning matter.

Text 2: Clarks

This interactive HTML tool is based on the C & J Clark International Ltd case study from OCR Paper 1, guiding learners through five exam-style questions that mirror the command terms and mark allocations found in the real paper. Covering questions that ask students to “Analyse one advantage,” “Explain three reasons,” and “Recommend whether…”, it blends 3-mark analysis tasks with extended 6-mark explanation and evaluative responses. Users can practise identifying and stamping assessment objectives (AO1, AO2, AO3A, AO3B), entering marks, and comparing their decisions to the official mark scheme. The clean, tab-based layout, real-time feedback, and simulated examiner rationale make it ideal for both self-assessment and examiner-standard classroom practice.

Text 3: Walkers

Business Marking Tool adapts the OCR Paper 1 format to a broader OBR-style (Ofqual Benchmark Revision) context, enabling learners to practise marking realistic business scenarios that replicate the wording, structure, and cognitive demand of Paper 1. It features a range of low to high tariff questions—“Explain one,” “Analyse one advantage,” and “Evaluate whether…”—that test analytical reasoning and judgement across AO2, AO3A, and AO3B. Built in interactive HTML, the tool’s dynamic stamping system, colour-coded AO feedback, and immediate validation of marks encourage examiners-in-training to develop precision, consistency, and deeper insight into how examiners apply assessment criteria. Its responsive interface ensures smooth performance across browsers, making it equally effective for classroom training or online revision.