Constructing and applying the BCG matrix
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Flip to reveal answersHow to draw a BCG matrix (5 steps)?
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Question
How to draw a BCG matrix (5 steps)?
Answer
2×2 grid, x-axis = share (high LEFT), y-axis = growth (high TOP), label quadrants, place products using data.
💡 Hint
Grid → axes → labels → plot
Question
BCG construction questions are typically worth ___ marks
Answer
4 marks: 2 for correctly labelled matrix, 1 per product correctly classified.
💡 Hint
4 marks
Question
Star products → recommend ___
Answer
Continued investment and marketing support to maintain/grow position.
💡 Hint
Invest + support
Question
Draw 2×2, share (x), growth (y), label ___ quadrants
Answer
Four: Stars (top-left), Question Marks (top-right), Cash Cows (bottom-left), Dogs (bottom-right).
💡 Hint
4 quadrants
Question
Cash cows → recommend ___
Answer
Maintain current approach, use profits to fund growth elsewhere.
💡 Hint
Maintain + fund growth
Question
[2 marks] for correctly labelled matrix means ___
Answer
Axes labelled (share, growth) and all four quadrants named (Stars, ?, Cows, Dogs).
💡 Hint
Axes + quadrant names
Question
Common BCG mistake: getting the ___ wrong
Answer
Axes — market share is horizontal, growth is vertical. High share is on the LEFT.
💡 Hint
Share horizontal, growth vertical
Question
High share = LEFT. High growth = ___
Answer
TOP.
💡 Hint
Top
Question
Question marks → recommend ___
Answer
Careful evaluation — invest if potential is high, divest if not.
💡 Hint
Evaluate + decide
Question
Use case study data to ___ classification
Answer
Justify — explain why each product belongs in its quadrant.
💡 Hint
Justify
Question
You MUST use case study data to ___
Answer
Justify your classification — don't just guess where products go.
💡 Hint
Justify with data
Question
High market share goes on the ___ side
Answer
Left — not the right! This is a common exam error.
💡 Hint
Left
Question
Each product placed correctly = ___ mark
Answer
1 mark each — based on case study evidence.
💡 Hint
1 mark
Question
Dogs → recommend ___
Answer
Discontinue or reposition — unless there's a strategic niche reason to keep them.
💡 Hint
Discontinue unless niche
Question
Use BCG to support strategic ___
Answer
Recommendations — which products to invest in, maintain, or drop.
💡 Hint
Recommendations
Question
High market growth goes on the ___
Answer
Top — high growth above, low growth below.
💡 Hint
Top
Question
Quick: Low share + high growth = ___
Answer
Question Mark.
💡 Hint
Question Mark
Question
In 10-mark questions, use BCG to support ___
Answer
Your recommendation — 'Product X is a Star and should receive priority investment...'
💡 Hint
Recommendation support
Question
Place products based on ___ data and justify ___
Answer
Case study; your classification — explain WHY each product belongs there.
💡 Hint
Data + justify
Question
Missing quadrant labels = ___
Answer
Lost marks — always label Stars, Cash Cows, Question Marks, Dogs.
💡 Hint
Lost marks
Read the notes
Full study notes for Constructing and applying the BCG matrix
Topic 6.4 hub
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix
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