BUSINESS · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
BUSINESS/11
Paper 1
Business · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
160
180 min
The Marketing Mix
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A significant portion of marks (over 37%) is allocated to high-tariff Justify (9-mark) and Evaluate (12-mark) questions.
In these extended responses, students won marks by using logical chains of reasoning to link business actions directly to quantitative or qualitative impacts.
For instance, in Paper 1 Q4(c), top candidates evaluated the impact of financial motivation methods by comparing the benefits of bonuses against the risk of compromising handmade quality or causing demotivation among the small, close-knit team of three employees.
Marks were lost when candidates failed to present a balanced argument or omitted a definitive final recommendation.
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.
AO1 - Knowledge w
Weight: 6100%Recall & Understanding
Weight: 583%KnAO2 -
Weight: 467%ApplicationAO3 -
Weight: 350%Analysis ofAO4 -
Weight: 233%Evaluation
Weight: 117%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
Failing to show steps of calculation workings, which prevents students from gaining method marks if they make an arithmetic slip.
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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level 9
Approx. 83% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 76% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 69% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 36% of maximum mark
Level 2
Approx. 29% 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
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.
Support your choice with specific evidence from data or the scenario given.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
The marketing mix
30 marks this session
Motivation and rewards
22 marks this session
Accounts analysis
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
The marketing mix
Motivation and rewards
Market research
Internal and external communication
External factors
Accounts analysis
Quality
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Investigating small businesses:
Paper 2: Investigating large businesses:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Failing to show steps of calculation workings, which prevents students from gaining method marks if they make an arithmetic slip.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
The marketing mix
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMotivation and rewards
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAccounts analysis
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A significant portion of marks (over 37%) is allocated to high-tariff Justify (9-mark) and Evaluate (12-mark) questions.
- 2Message
In these extended responses, students won marks by using logical chains of reasoning to link business actions directly to quantitative or qualitative impacts.
- 3Message
For instance, in Paper 1 Q4(c), top candidates evaluated the impact of financial motivation methods by comparing the benefits of bonuses against the risk of compromising handmade quality or causing demotivation among the small, close-knit team of three employees.
- 4Message
Marks were lost when candidates failed to present a balanced argument or omitted a definitive final recommendation.
- 5Method
Failing to show steps of calculation workings, which prevents students from gaining method marks if they make an arithmetic slip.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Business
A significant portion of marks (over 37%) is allocated to high-tariff Justify (9-mark) and Evaluate (12-mark) questions. In these extended responses, students won marks by using logical chains of reasoning to link business actions directly to quantitative or qualitative impacts.
A significant portion of marks (over 37%) is allocated to high-tariff Justify (9-mark) and Evaluate (12-mark) questions.
In these extended responses, students won marks by using logical chains of reasoning to link business actions directly to quantitative or qualitative impacts.
For instance, in Paper 1 Q4(c), top candidates evaluated the impact of financial motivation methods by comparing the benefits of bonuses against the risk of compromising handmade quality or causing demotivation among the small, close-knit team of three employees.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
A significant portion of marks (over 37%) is allocated to high-tariff Justify (9-mark) and Evaluate (12-mark) questions. In these extended responses, students won marks by using logical chains of reasoning to link business actions directly to quantitative or qualitative impacts. For instance, in Paper 1 Q4(c), top candidates evaluated the impact of financial motivation methods by comparing the benefits of bonuses against the risk of compromising handmade quality or causing demotivation among the small, close-knit team of three employees. Marks were lost when candidates failed to present a balanced argument or omitted a definitive final recommendation.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Investigating small businesses:
Paper 2: Investigating large businesses:
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.
63% 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.
Analytical Essays
36·6·23%
Justification Essays
36·4·23%
Short Explanations & Outlines
28·10·18%
Evaluation Essays
24·2·15%
Multiple Choice Questions
12·12·8%
Definitions & State Questions
12·12·8%
Calculations
12·6·8%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Question 1 (P1 & P2
0.91 m/minQuestion 2 (P1 & P2
0.91 m/minQuestion 3 (P1 & P2
0.91 m/minQuestion 4 (P1 & P2
0.83 m/minTotal marks
160
Total time
180 min
Avg pace
0.89
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Business activity and external influences on business
5%5%
Business and the international economy
4%4%
Internal and external communication
4%4%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The Generic Answer Trap: On 'State' and 'Outline' questions, many candidates wrote textbook definitions rather than applied points. For instance, in Paper 2 Q2(a), stating that temporary staff cover sick leave is too generic. To gain the mark, candidates had to mention context, such as 'to cover delivery drivers who transport flat-packed tables and chairs.'
- Incomplete Calculations: In Paper 1 Q4(a), several candidates successfully calculated the operating profit of Gross Profit−Expenses=∈67,590 \text{Gross Profit} - \text{Expenses} = \in 67,590 Gross Profit−Expenses=∈67,590 but forgot to divide by revenue to complete the Operating Profit Margin \text{Operating Profit Margin} Operating Profit Margin formula, losing a crucial mark.
- Rounding Errors: Candidates must follow the instructions to round answers to exactly two decimal places. In Paper 2 Q1(e), answers like 31.4% or 31% instead of 31.38% were penalized.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 80
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Define, State, Calculate, Outline, Explain, Analyse, Justify, Evaluate
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.