Browse through IGCSE Business Studies 0450 & Business Studies (9-1) 0986 for your CIE exams.
Although there are 2 different syllabus codes, the syllabus content and exam content is identical for IGCSE Business Studies 0450 and Business Studies 0986. The 2 subjects only differ in terms of the grading scale, where Business Studies 0450 uses A*-G and Business Studies uses 1 to 9, where 1 is equivalent to A*. You can use either exam paper for your revision.
| Past Exam Papers | Mark Schemes |
2025
The Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450 and IGCSE Business Studies 0986 sylabus helps learners understand how businesses operate in the real world. It explores the activities involved in starting, running, and growing a business and how these are influenced by external environments. The course develops skills in decision-making, problem-solving, and applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
The syllabus is structured around six main topics:
- Understanding Business Activity – Covers the purpose of business, factors of production, specialisation, sectors of industry, and business growth.
- People in Business – Focuses on recruitment, motivation, training, organisation charts, and leadership styles.
- Marketing – Explains market research, the marketing mix (4Ps: Product, Price, Place, Promotion), and marketing strategy.
- Operations Management – Looks at production methods, lean production, quality assurance, and location decisions.
- Financial Information and Decisions – Introduces sources of finance, cash flow, income statements, balance sheets, and ratio analysis.
- External Influences – Examines the economy, government influences, environmental and ethical issues, and international trade.
Throughout the course, students develop an understanding of key business terms, calculations (like break-even or profit), and are encouraged to evaluate business strategies using real-life case studies.
Exam Structure for IGCSE Business Studies 0450
There are two compulsory papers with no coursework:
- Paper 1 – Short Answer and Data Response
- Paper 2 – Case Study
Both papers test knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation. There’s no multiple-choice section. Answers must be written in clear, structured English with relevant examples.
At My Exam Deck, students can access a full library of IGCSE Business Studies 0450 past papers, mark schemes, and grade thresholds, organized by March, June and November sessions. Practicing real Cambridge Business Studies past papers is key to mastering exam format, improving problem-solving skills, and building exam confidence.