IGCSE Business Tips/Command Terms

Business Tips by Aditi Prasad

Using the reasource insert in the exam

• Read the title, key, axes of graphs, etc. to find out exactly what it is showing you. 
• Look for dates, scale, and location. 
• Try using coloured pencils or pens to pick out anything that the question asks you about.

Plan your answers. Think about what you want to say. Clear, concise, well-ordered, well-argued, well-supported answers get more marks than long, rambling, muddled, repetitious answers. Quality is better than quantity.

Mark allocation and answering the question – Paper 1

• 2 MARKS – Clear understanding, clean cut exact definition
• 2 MARK – Application [2 × 1]: award 1 mark per advantage/identification
• 4 MARKS – Knowledge [2 × 1]: award 1 mark for each reason identified Application [2 × 1]: award 1 mark for each explanation in context 
• 6 MARKS – 
  • Knowledge [2 × 1]: award 1 mark for each relevant factor. 
  • Application [2 × 1]: award 1 mark if relevant reference made to given business
  • Analysis [2 × 1]: award 1 mark for each relevant explanation. 
• Do you agree? Justify your answer – 6 MARKS
  • Knowledge [1] : award 1 mark for identification of relevant point (s) 
  • Application [1] : award 1 mark if relevant reference made to this business 
  • Analysis [2]: award up to 2 marks for relevant development of point(s) 
  • Evaluation [2]: justified decision. Either viewpoint is fine.

Mark allocation and answering the question – Paper 2 

• Identify and explain two advantages and two disadvantages.. – 8 MARKS
  • Advantages – 2
  • Disadvantage – 2
  • Explanation – 4
• Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the following two options…. Recommend the option business should choose. Justify your answer. – 12 MARKS
  • Advantage – 2
  • Disadvantage – 2 
  • Explanation – 4
  • Recommendation – 2 
  • Application – 2
• Identify and explain – 8 MARKS
  • Knowledge – 2  
  • Analysis – 2 – relevant explanation 
  • Application- 4 application marks
• Consider the following three ways… Recommend the best way to choose. Justify your answer.  – 12 MARKS
  • Advantage – 3 marks
  • Disadvantage – 3 marks  
  • Application – 3 marks
  • Reccomendation/explanation – 3 marks
• Refer to Appendix 3 and other information in the case study. Consider the financial performance of TT. Do you think the directors should be pleased with the company’s performance? Justify your answer using appropriate ratios.  – 12 MARKS
  • Return on Capital Employed :

• Net Profit and Gross Profit :

Divide this by the revenue total to get percentage net profit and gross profit percentage