0450 · Cambridge IGCSE
0450/23
Case Study Scenario
Business Studies · June 2024 · Variant 3
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.4 / 5
160
180 min
Business Finance & Economic Environment
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
Success in Paper 13 hinged on precise knowledge of definitions and accurate financial calculations.
For example, calculating the current ratio: Current Ratio=Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities=120,000150,000=0.8 \text{Current Ratio} = \frac{\text{Current Assets}}{\text{Current Liabilities}} = \frac{120,000}{150,000} = 0.8 Current Ratio=Current LiabilitiesCurrent Assets=150,000120,000=0.8 or 0.8:1 0.8:1 0.8:1.
In contrast, Paper 23 heavily rewarded students who could seamlessly apply business theory to the case study scenario.
High-scoring candidates avoided generic descriptions of promotional methods (e.g., 10% discount vs.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge
Weight: 4100%Application
Weight: 375%Analysis
Weight: 250%Evaluation
Weight: 125%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
Not writing down formulas for calculation questions (failing to secure the method mark if the final answer is wrong).
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 58% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 48% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 28% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 24% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 19% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Support your choice with specific evidence from data or the scenario given.
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Business finance: needs and sources
18 marks this session
Economic issues
18 marks this session
Internal and external communication
16 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Marketing mix
Production of goods and services
Recruitment, selection and training of employees
Business finance: needs and sources
Enterprise, business growth and size
Analysis of accounts
Economic issues
Motivating employees
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 13 Short Answer & Data Response:
Paper 23 Case Study:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Not writing down formulas for calculation questions (failing to secure the method mark if the final answer is wrong).
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Business finance: needs and sources
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEconomic issues
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiInternal and external communication
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
Success in Paper 13 hinged on precise knowledge of definitions and accurate financial calculations.
- 2Message
For example, calculating the current ratio: Current Ratio=Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities=120,000150,000=0.8 \text{Current Ratio} = \frac{\text{Current Assets}}{\text{Current Liabilities}} = \frac{120,000}{150,000} = 0.8 Current Ratio=Current LiabilitiesCurrent Assets=150,000120,000=0.8 or 0.8:1 0.8:1 0.8:1.
- 3Message
In contrast, Paper 23 heavily rewarded students who could seamlessly apply business theory to the case study scenario.
- 4Message
High-scoring candidates avoided generic descriptions of promotional methods (e.g., 10% discount vs.
- 5Method
Not writing down formulas for calculation questions (failing to secure the method mark if the final answer is wrong).
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Business Studies
Success in Paper 13 hinged on precise knowledge of definitions and accurate financial calculations. For example, calculating the current ratio: Current Ratio=Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities=120,000150,000=0.8 \text{Current Ratio} = \frac{\text{Current Assets}}{\text{Current Lia
Success in Paper 13 hinged on precise knowledge of definitions and accurate financial calculations.
For example, calculating the current ratio: Current Ratio=Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities=120,000150,000=0.8 \text{Current Ratio} = \frac{\text{Current Assets}}{\text{Current Liabilities}} = \frac{120,000}{150,000} = 0.8 Current Ratio=Current LiabilitiesCurrent Assets=150,000120,000=0.8 or 0.8:1 0.8:1 0.8:1.
In contrast, Paper 23 heavily rewarded students who could seamlessly apply business theory to the case study scenario.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
Success in Paper 13 hinged on precise knowledge of definitions and accurate financial calculations. For example, calculating the current ratio: Current Ratio=Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities=120,000150,000=0.8 \text{Current Ratio} = \frac{\text{Current Assets}}{\text{Current Liabilities}} = \frac{120,000}{150,000} = 0.8 Current Ratio=Current LiabilitiesCurrent Assets=150,000120,000=0.8 or 0.8:1 0.8:1 0.8:1. In contrast, Paper 23 heavily rewarded students who could seamlessly apply business theory to the case study scenario. High-scoring candidates avoided generic descriptions of promotional methods (e.g., 10% discount vs. free delivery) and instead linked them directly to RF's specific target market: low-income families purchasing bulky, heavy furniture.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 13 Short Answer & Data Response:
Paper 23 Case Study:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
73% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Structured Analysis
58·11·36%
Case Study Evaluation
48·4·30%
Case Study Analysis
32·4·20%
Short Answer/Definition
14·7·9%
Data Response/Calculation
8·2·5%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 13 Short Answ…
0.89 m/minTotal marks
80
Total time
90 min
Avg pace
0.89
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Recruitment, selection and training of employees
90%90%
Cash-flow forecasting and working capital
85%85%
Marketing strategy
80%80%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Lack of Application (APP): In Paper 2, many candidates wrote textbook answers about communication methods (telephone vs. text messages) without referencing RF's specific workforce profile (comprising 3 skilled carpenters and 6 unskilled school leavers who need daily task coordination).
- Failing to Justify the Final Recommendation: In 12-mark questions, students often analyzed both options well but failed to explain why one option was superior to the other, or why the alternative was rejected.
- Confusing Financial Terms: Some candidates struggled to define 'public limited company' accurately, confusing it with public sector organizations or forgetting to mention that shares are traded on a public stock exchange.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 80
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Detailed Contextual Explanation (8m), Level-Based Strategic Decision (12m)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.