A Level 2026 Exam Trends: Pearson Edexcel International A Level Business

Pearson Edexcel International A Level Business is assessed with Unit 1 (marketing, people), Unit 2 (business activities, decisions), Unit 3 (business strategy), Unit 4 (global business), and case study/ data components. Check the current spec for exact unit titles. Here are recent trends for 2026.

Paper format and structure

• Structure is unchanged for 2025–2026: Case study material (business scenario, data) must be used in answers; generic responses score less. Command words (“define”, “explain”, “analyse”, “evaluate”, “recommend”) are used consistently; application to the case and use of data are required.
• Calculations (e.g. revenue, profit, break-even, ratios, investment appraisal) appear regularly; working and interpretation (e.g. what the ratio means for the business) are expected.
• Essay and extended response – structure (intro, points, conclusion); balance for “evaluate”; recommendation with justification linked to case/data.

Question types and topics that keep coming up

• Topic areas: Business structure, marketing, operations, finance, human resources, strategy, globalisation; application to the case study business. Generic answers without reference to the case score less.
• Calculations: Revenue, cost, profit, break-even, margin of safety; ratios (liquidity, profitability, gearing); investment appraisal (payback, ARR, NPV). Working and units (e.g. $, %) are mark-bearing; interpretation in context is often required.
• Analysis: Why something might happen; cause–effect; use of data from the case. Evaluation – advantages and disadvantages; recommendation with justification linked to case/data.
• Essay: Structure; balance for “evaluate”; recommendation with reason; application to case where relevant.

Are papers getting easier or harder?

• Standards are maintained via grade boundaries. Reports highlight case not used, calculations without working, evaluation without balance, and vague definitions.
• No reported shift in difficulty; application to case and use of data are key.

Similarity to past papers and predictability

• Format and style match past Edexcel International series. Past papers are a good guide to case study style and calculation types.
• Topics are predictable from the spec; contexts (business, data) vary. Marking focus (use of case, working, balance) is consistent.

Examiner expectations and marking

• Definitions – precise (e.g. from spec); application to case where asked. Calculations – working; interpretation (e.g. what the ratio/NPV means for the business). Analysis/Evaluation – use case and data; balance (for/against); recommendation with justification. Marking consistent with past series.

Assessment style and skills in demand

• Application to case study and data; calculations with interpretation; evaluation with balance and recommendation; essay structure.

Focus areas for 2026 revision

1. Case study – use the business and data in every relevant answer.
2. Calculations – revenue, profit, break-even, ratios, investment appraisal; working and interpretation.
3. Definitions – learn exact terms from the spec.
4. Evaluate – advantages and disadvantages; recommendation with justification.
5. Past papers – case study and essay under timed conditions.

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Based on current specification and examiner reports. Always use the latest Pearson Edexcel International A Level Business specification for your series.