DESCRIPTION

Business Studies helps you to make more informed decisions in the everyday business of living. It gives you a better understanding of the world of work. It encourages you to think about how and why people start up in business.

The Junior Certificate Business Studies course covers the everyday business of living, contributing to an understanding of the world of business and encouraging a positive attitude to enterprise and developing appropriate skills.

The syllabus consists of four main interrelated sections

• The business of living- this would include topics such as personal finance, consumer education, insurance, money and banking.
• Economic Awareness- this is an elementary introduction to economics and its importance to society. Topics would include taxes, foreign trade and unions.
• Enterprise- this would include business orientated topics such as advertising, marketing, types of business units. It also incorporates a substantial accounting element.
• Information Technology-this would cover computer applications and keyboarding.

VALUE OF THE SUBJECT

The value of this subject maybe considered from two aspects. Firstly, it provides a broad knowledge of accounting and business of value and relevance to any adult, but particularly useful to someone going into a business type career on leaving school. Secondly, it lays a suitable foundation for studying the business studies subjects (Accounting, Business, Economics) at Leaving Certificate and perhaps later at Third Level, or for entry to professions such as Accountancy.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN BUSINESS STUDIES

Some of the things you will learn include:

• Good communication skills such as letter writing and report writing
• How to collect, organise, and record financial information for yourself, your family, for clubs you may be a member of, and for businesses you may be employed with in the future
• What your rights and responsibilities are as a consumer (someone who buys or uses goods and services – that’s you!)
• How to calculate your wages when you start working (including the minimum wage)
• About why our membership of the European Union is so important to our economy.

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS STUDIES JUNIOR EXAM LIKE

Ordinary level students are required to sit one written exam. They are required to answer twenty short answer questions and five long answer questions.

Higher level students are required to sit two written exams.

Paper I examines students on household and personal questions, which consists of twenty short answer questions and four long questions.

Paper II examines students from a business perspective and consists of four long questions.

You can take the exam at Higher or at Ordinary level. When the time comes to decide, your teacher will help you choose the level that suits you best.