Edexcel IGCSE Business Past Papers

Common mistake: Students often argue only one side of a case or describe the options rather than making a choice. Higher-level marks require "counterbalance"—considering the drawbacks or risks of the chosen path.

How to solve it: Choose one option and explain why it is better, but also explain why it might not work or what its limitations are. Always end with a clear, justified conclusion.

Common mistake: Students frequently mix up related but distinct concepts, such as economies vs. diseconomies of scale, shareholders vs. stakeholders, or financial vs. non-financial motivation.

How to solve it: Double-check key terms before writing. Ensure you are answering exactly what is asked—for example, if a question asks for a non-financial objective, do not provide a financial one like profit.

Common mistake: Many students waste valuable time and space by re-writing the question stem as their opening sentence. This does not gain any marks and can prevent you from finishing the paper.

How to solve it: Jump directly into your answer. Avoid preambles like "One reason why IKEA would employ temporary staff is..." and start immediately with the reason itself.

Common mistake: Students often show a lack of sound understanding regarding price skimming and competitive pricing. Many incorrectly believe price skimming is setting a low price (confusing it with penetration pricing) or that competitive pricing means charging much lower than rivals.

How to solve it: Learn the precise definitions: price skimming is setting a high initial price, and competitive pricing is charging approximately the same price as competitors

Common mistake: While many can recall formulas, students often fail to understand what the actual ratio means to the business. For example, calculating the Acid Test Ratio or Operating Profit Margin but being unable to explain how the business should use that figure to make decisions.

How to solve it: For every formula, practice writing a sentence that explains the result (e.g., "A current ratio of 3.78:1 means the business has 3.78 units of current assets for every unit of current liability")

Common mistake: Students often provide generic answers that could apply to any business rather than the specific one in the case study. For instance, simply mentioning "advertising" is generic, whereas "advertising their dog coats" provides necessary context.

How to solve it: Always include a specific detail from the scenario, such as the owner’s name, the specific products sold (e.g., ciabattas, furniture, or chocolate), or the industry.

Common mistake: Students frequently mix up Job Descriptions (the tasks of the role) and Person Specifications (the requirements of the applicant). Additionally, many provide vague definitions for Delegation, failing to mention it involves the passing down of responsibility or authority.

How to solve it: Remember that a description is about the job (duties, hours), while a specification is about the person (experience, education)