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A-Level Business

The new AQA specification, one topic at a time.

AQA's new AS (7137) and A-level (7138) Business courses started in September 2026. This library takes every topic in the new specification and builds a page for it: what the specification asks, how it works in a real business, the question types it appears in, and what earns the marks. Year 12 topics come first.

SpecificationAQA 7137 · 7138
First teachingSeptember 2026
Year 12 topics46
Year 13 topics23
Start here

Year 12 or Year 13?

AQA is changing A-Level Business, and the change splits this year's sixth form in two. Find your year first.

Year 12 (started September 2026)

You are on the new specification: AS Business 7137 and A-level Business 7138. AS exams can first be sat in 2027 and A-level exams in 2028.

Use the Year 12 tab below. These are the AS topics in Units 3.1 and 3.2, which most schools teach in Year 12.

Free Year 12 (7138) starter pack →

Year 13 (exams in June 2027)

You are on the outgoing specification, A-level 7132. AQA lists the June 2027 series as the last for 7132.

Most of the business ideas are the same. Each topic page shows where it sits in 7132, or tells you if it is new. Your exam has 25-mark essays, which the new course does not.

How to write a 25-mark 7132 essay →

Sources: AQA, AS and A-level Business 7137/7138 specification, version 1.1 (November 2025); AQA, new specification accredited for first teaching in September 2026; AQA, 7132 key dates. Checked 2 November 2026.

Now live

Newly published topic pages

New topic pages are published every day, Year 12 foundations first. Each one is checked against the specification before it goes live.

The first topic pages publish this week. Bookmark this page, or open the specification below to see everything that is coming.

Section I

How each topic page is built

Every page follows the same shape, so you always know where to look. It is collapsed by default: read the short answer, then open only the parts you need.

01

The specification, explained

What AQA asks for, every formula exactly as the specification states it, and a worked example with illustrative figures.

02

Real businesses

Named UK and global firms, dated and sourced, so your application (AO2) is specific enough to be checked.

03

Six question types

Define (2), Explain (4), Analyse (6), Assess (9), Evaluate (15) and quantitative questions, with an original practice question for each.

04

AO1 to AO4 on this topic

What knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation look like on this exact topic, with the AQA weightings.

05

Year 12 or Year 13?

Every page tells a 7137/7138 student and a 7132 student what it means for them.

Section II

The topic library

Every topic in the AQA 7138 specification, in the board's own order. Open a unit to see its topics. The specification map shows the papers, the command words, the AO weightings and where each topic sat in the old 7132 course.

3.1.1Business and objectives3 topics
EntrepreneursYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.1 Business and objectives. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.1 What is business?. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Business planning and decisionsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.1 Business and objectives. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.1 What is business?. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Business objectives and SMART targetsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.1 Business and objectives. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.1 What is business?. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.1.2Forms of business and stakeholders3 topics
Forms of businessYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.2 Forms of business and stakeholders. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.1 What is business?. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Comparing forms of business and sharesYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.2 Forms of business and stakeholders. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.1 What is business?. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

StakeholdersYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.2 Forms of business and stakeholders. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.1 What is business?. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.1.3Marketing management10 topics
Market research and customer needsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Markets and marketing dataYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Demand, PED and YEDYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Target markets and segmentationYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Marketing objectives and planningYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Product: life cycle, Boston Matrix and new productsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Pricing strategiesYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Distribution (place)Year 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Promotion and brandingYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Digital technology and marketingYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.1.4Financial management8 topics
Financial objectives and managing financeYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Sources of financeYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Break-even analysisYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Profit and profitabilityYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Budgets and variance analysisYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Cash flow and liquidityYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Financial reporting: statements and ratiosYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Assessing financial position and performanceYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.2.1People management10 topics
HR objectives and workforce planningYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

HR data and employee KPIsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Organisational designYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Leadership stylesYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Developing people and talentYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Teamwork and Hackman's modelYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Motivation: Taylor, Maslow and HerzbergYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Financial and non-financial rewardsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Employee wellbeingYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Employer and employee relationsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.2.2Operations management12 topics
Operations objectives and locationYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Operations data and KPIsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Efficiency and lean productionYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Quality managementYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Environmental impact of operationsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Matching output to demandYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Supply chain managementYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Inventory managementYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Innovation and intellectual propertyYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Project management and network analysisYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Economies and diseconomies of scaleYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Technology and AI in operationsYear 12 · AS and A-level

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.1.3Marketing management2 topics
International marketingYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Ethics in marketingYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.1.3 Marketing management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.3 Marketing performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.1.4Financial management1 topic
Ethics in financeYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.1.4 Financial management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.5 Financial performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.2.1People management1 topic
Ethics in HR and pay gapsYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.2.1 People management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.6 Human resource performance (leadership: 3.2). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.2.2Operations management1 topic
Ethics in operationsYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.2.2 Operations management. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.4 Operational performance. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.2.3Managing business culture1 topic
Business values and cultureYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.2.3 Managing business culture. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.10 Managing strategic change. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.3.1Business and society3 topics
Sustainability and the Triple Bottom LineYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.1 Business and society. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: Partly 3.7 (largely new in 7138). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Corporate social responsibilityYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.1 Business and society. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: Partly 3.7 (largely new in 7138). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

ESG (environmental, social and governance)Year 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.1 Business and society. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: Partly 3.7 (largely new in 7138). The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.3.2Business and the external environment4 topics
Porter's Five ForcesYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.2 Business and the external environment. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 Strategic position. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

The economic environmentYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.2 Business and the external environment. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 Strategic position. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Social and technological environmentYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.2 Business and the external environment. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 Strategic position. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.3.3Strategy8 topics
Strategy, planning and SWOTYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Stakeholder mapping and stakeholder powerYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Ansoff Matrix and positioningYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Implementing strategy and strategic driftYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Investment appraisal: payback, ARR and NPVYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Business growth and retrenchmentYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Global strategy and glocalisationYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Digital strategyYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.3 Strategy. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.7 to 3.9. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

3.3.4Change2 topics
Managing changeYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.4 Change. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.10 Managing strategic change. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Risk, uncertainty and agile businessYear 13 · A-level only

AQA 7138 3.3.4 Change. Nearest section in the outgoing 7132 course: 3.10 Managing strategic change. The topic page is in the publishing queue. New pages go live every day and appear in the list near the top of this page.

Section III

Already on the blog

Longer explainers on the topics that are new to the 7138 specification.

The changeAQA A-Level Business is changingWhat the new course means for students and parents.Read → New in 7138Hackman's model of team effectivenessA named model you are now expected to apply.Read → New in 7138Digital marketing and AISEO, PPC, cookies and CRM, explained for the exam.Read →
Section IV

Three ways in

Read for free, practise on the platform, or be taught directly.

PractiseThe Business PlatformThe CC revision platform for AQA A-Level Business: topic drills, exam-style questions and progress tracking.See the platform → Read2027 Business BriefingPredicted questions and model answers for the 7132 summer 2027 series.Read the briefing → Be taughtThe Inner AcademyRecorded lessons in the termly structure, with selected work marked by examiner-experienced academic instructors against the CC framework.About the Inner Academy →

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