ACT SSC Business — Unit 1
SWOT Analysis — Flashcards & Quiz
SWOT analysis is a foundational strategic planning tool that identifies a business's internal Strengths and Weaknesses alongside external Opportunities and Threats. For ACT SSC Business Unit 1 you need to apply SWOT to a real or case-study business, distinguish internal from external factors, and use the analysis to guide strategy. Markers reward specific, evidence-based points over generic textbook items.
Key Points
- Strengths and weaknesses are internal — controllable by the business (skills, finance, brand, processes).
- Opportunities and threats are external — uncontrollable but knowable (PESTLE: political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental).
- SWOT should lead to action: strengths-opportunities (attack), strengths-threats (defend), weaknesses-opportunities (build), weaknesses-threats (avoid).
- Evidence and quantification turn generic SWOT items into insight — "brand strength" becomes "Net Promoter Score 72 vs industry 45".
- SWOT is a snapshot — it needs regular review as conditions change.
- Combine with Porter's Five Forces or PESTLE for richer external analysis.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing internal and external factors — competition is a threat (external), not a weakness (internal).
- Writing generic bullets without evidence — "good staff" or "rising costs" are too vague.
- Treating SWOT as a descriptive list instead of a decision tool.
- Forgetting to link SWOT to strategy recommendations.
- Using outdated evidence — SWOT must reflect current market conditions.
Exam Strategy
ACT SSC Unit 1 SWOT questions usually give a case study and ask you to apply SWOT and recommend strategy. Method: (1) list 2-3 specific, evidence-based points in each quadrant, (2) categorise correctly (internal vs external), (3) identify the strongest strength-opportunity and weakness-threat pairings, (4) recommend one strategy, (5) justify with case evidence. Quality over quantity — four strong points beat twelve generic ones.
Sample Flashcards
Q1: What is a SWOT analysis and how is it used?
SWOT evaluates: Strengths (internal advantages), Weaknesses (internal disadvantages), Opportunities (external favourable conditions), Threats (external unfavourable conditions). It helps businesses identify competitive position and develop strategies.
Q2: How can a business develop strategies from a SWOT analysis?
SO strategies: use strengths to exploit opportunities. WO strategies: overcome weaknesses to exploit opportunities. ST strategies: use strengths to counter threats. WT strategies: minimise weaknesses and avoid threats.
Sample Quiz Questions
Q1: In a SWOT analysis, opportunities are internal factors.
Answer: FALSE
Opportunities are EXTERNAL factors. Strengths and weaknesses are internal.
Q2: A SWOT analysis helps a business identify its competitive position.
Answer: TRUE
SWOT evaluates internal capabilities and external environment to understand competitive position.
Revision Tip
The SWOT framework and internal-external split are core recall — drill them on Revizi, then rehearse applying SWOT to different case studies for exam-speed analysis.
Last updated: March 2026 · 2 flashcards · 2 quiz questions