Methodology

This list is based on analysis of Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450 past papers (2019–2024), examiner reports, mark schemes and syllabus structure. Topics are ranked by frequency and mark allocation.

Top 10 most frequently tested topics

1. Understanding business activity

Evidence: Types of business, business objectives, stakeholders. Foundation for most questions.

Covers: sole trader, partnership, company; objectives; stakeholders; entrepreneur.

2. Human resources (motivation, recruitment)

Evidence: Motivation theories, recruitment, training. Examiner reports note application-to-context errors.

Covers: motivation; Maslow; recruitment; training; communication.

3. Marketing

Evidence: Marketing mix, market research, segmentation. Appears in most papers.

Covers: 4Ps; market research; segmentation; product life cycle.

4. Operations management

Evidence: Methods of production, quality, lean production. Examiner reports note lean vs methods confusion.

Covers: job, batch, flow; quality; lean production; JIT; Kaizen.

5. Finance and accounts

Evidence: Cash flow, break-even, sources of finance. Examiner reports note definition errors (e.g. cashflow problem).

Covers: cash flow; break-even; profit; sources of finance; ratios.

6. Business growth and change

Evidence: Growth methods, mergers, takeovers. Appears in extended questions.

Covers: internal vs external growth; mergers; takeovers; economies of scale.

7. External influences on business

Evidence: Government, economy, ethics. Examiner reports note globalisation vs trade confusion.

Covers: government; economic factors; ethics; environmental; competition.

8. Location and scale

Evidence: Location factors; small vs large business. Appears in application questions.

Covers: location factors; economies of scale; diseconomies.

9. Added value

Evidence: Examiner reports note added-value definition errors. Linked to marketing and operations.

Covers: added value = selling price − cost of inputs; how to add value.

10. Application to context (scenario)

Evidence: Examiner reports repeatedly note generic answers. Application to the business scenario is essential.

Covers: using the case study; applying concepts to the specific business; not repeating scenario without application.

Revision priority

Application to context is critical—examiner reports flag generic answers. Definitions must be precise (e.g. cashflow problem, added value, lean production). See common mistakes.

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Sources: Cambridge past papers 2019–2024, examiner reports, syllabus.