Oxford AQA International A Level (IAL) Business specification (9625)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Oxford AQA International A Level (IAL) Business exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Oxford AQA International A Level (IAL) Business specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Oxford AQA International A Level (IAL) Business (9625) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Oxford AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
OxfordAQA International A Level Business provides learners with a strong foundation in modern business concepts through real-world contexts and case studies. It promotes analytical and evaluative skills essential for business decision-making. The course equips students to understand global trends such as digitalisation, globalisation, and ethical business practices. It supports progression to higher education and employment by encouraging critical thinking, data interpretation, and informed judgement. Students develop knowledge of business functions, strategy and change, enabling them to analyse and propose solutions in various scenarios.
Subject content breakdown
3.1 Business and markets
- Understand the purpose and nature of business activity, key terms and stakeholders
- Explore entrepreneurship, types of business ownership, and start-up challenges
- Examine business environment influences: political, economic, legal, social and technological
- Understand marketing objectives, research, segmentation and the 7Ps
- Analyse marketing data and strategic positioning in local and international contexts
3.2 Managing operations, human resources and finance
- Understand operations management, data use, and competitiveness
- Examine inventory, supply chain and customer service strategies
- Explore HR objectives, workforce planning, motivation theories, and employee relations
- Use HR data for performance evaluation
- Understand financial objectives, sources of finance, breakeven and cash flow
- Evaluate profitability and strategies to improve financial health
3.3 Business strategy and business decision making
- Study mission, objectives, strategy, SWOT, stakeholder mapping
- Analyse business performance using financial/non-financial data, ratios, and models
- Apply Porter’s five forces, and assess impacts of political, economic, social, legal and environmental changes
- Understand globalisation and international trade influences
- Conduct investment appraisal using NPV, ARR, and payback
- Evaluate strategic direction using Ansoff Matrix and positioning with Bowman’s Clock
- Examine growth strategies, innovation, and internationalisation
- Explore leadership styles, managing strategic change, and organisational culture
- Implement strategies using network analysis, and assess why strategies fail
Assessment structure
Unit 1: Business and Markets
- Written exam, 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks
- Sections: multiple choice, short answer, data response and extended response
- 50% of AS, 20% of A Level
Unit 2: Managing Operations, Human Resources and Finance
- Written exam, 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks
- Three compulsory sections with a mix of question types
- 50% of AS, 20% of A Level
Unit 3: Business Strategy
- Written exam, 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks
- Two case studies followed by short and extended response questions
- 30% of A Level
Unit 4: Business Decision Making
- Written exam, 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks
- Section A: extended response, Section B: case study with short answers and business report
30% of A Level
- AS qualification: Units 1 and 2
- A Level qualification: All four units
- All assessments are written exams in English only
- Grading: AS (A–E), A Level (A–E), with A requiring an A overall and 90% UMS in A2 units
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Oxford AQA International A Level (IAL) Business isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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