The specification for Junior Cycle Business Studies focuses on improving students’ understanding of the business environment and on developing skills for life, work and further study through the three inter-connected strands:
- Personal finance
- Enterprise
- Our economy
To give further emphasis to the integrated nature of learning, the outcomes for each strand are grouped by reference to three elements:
- Managing my resources
- Exploring business
- Using skills for business
Classroom Based Assessment (CBA)
Classroom-Based Assessments are the occasions when the teacher assesses the students in the specific assessments that are set out in the specification. Classroom-Based Assessments are similar to the formative assessment that occurs every day in every class. However, in the case of the Classroom-Based Assessments, the teacher’s judgement is recorded for the purpose of subject learning and assessment review, and for the school’s reporting to parents and students. Students will be awarded descriptors for their CBA’s which are:
- Exceeds expectations
- Above expectations
- In-Line with expectations
- Yet to meet expectations
Junior Cycle Business Studies will have two Classroom-Based Assessments. One in second year and one in third year.
CBA 1
This is a group project in which students are given three options from which to choose a Business in Action project:
- Enterprise in Action
- Economics in Action
- Finance in Action.
It comprises four areas of activity: conducting research, evaluating information, developing action plans and reporting findings
CBA 2
This is an individual task which requires students to investigate and present on a business related topic. The chosen topic may be directly related to specific course content or students may decide to study an issue of personal or local relevance, provided it is related to the business environment. It comprises three areas of activity: investigating the topic, reflecting on learning/putting together their presentation and communicating/presenting their findings.
Assessment Task
Students complete a formal written Assessment Task to be submitted to the State Examinations Commission for marking along with the final examination for business studies. The Assessment Task is completed in year 3 and is based upon the students CBA 2. The Assessment Task is worth 10% of the students overall Junior Certificate Business Studies grade.
Final Examination
There will be one examination paper at a common level, set by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). The examination will be no longer than two hours in duration and will take place at the end of third year. The final examination is worth 90% of the students overall Junior Certificate Business Studies grade