Cambridge (CIE) O Level Business Studies specification (7115)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) O Level Business Studies 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 Cambridge (CIE) O Level Business Studies 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 Cambridge (CIE) O Level Business Studies (7115) 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 Cambridge (CIE) specification PDF.
Specification overview
Cambridge O Level Business Studies helps students understand the dynamics of business activity in different contexts and appreciate the role of enterprise in society. The course equips learners with knowledge of business structures, functions, and environments, fostering the ability to apply critical understanding to real-life issues. Students gain skills in analysing situations, interpreting data, and making informed decisions. It encourages an understanding of how businesses are influenced by stakeholders and external factors, promoting awareness of business operations, organisation, finance, marketing, and global influences. The qualification provides a solid foundation for further business studies and related careers.Subject content breakdown
1 Understanding business activity
- Purpose and nature of business activity; needs, wants, scarcity, and opportunity cost.
- Business classification: primary, secondary, tertiary sectors; private vs public sector.
- Enterprise, entrepreneurship, business growth, measurement of business size.
- Causes of business failure.
- Types of business organisation: sole traders, partnerships, companies, franchises, joint ventures, public corporations.
- Business objectives, stakeholder objectives, and conflict of interest.
2 People in business
- Motivation: importance, theories (Maslow, Taylor, Herzberg), methods (financial, non-financial).
- Organisation and management: organisational charts, roles, management functions, leadership styles, trade unions.
- Recruitment, selection, training, workforce reduction, legal controls over employment.
- Internal and external communication: methods, barriers, and overcoming communication issues.
3 Marketing
- Role of marketing, market changes, niche vs mass marketing, market segmentation.
- Market research: primary/secondary research, data presentation.
- Marketing mix: product, price, place, promotion, technology’s impact.
- Marketing strategy: legal controls, foreign market entry opportunities and challenges.
4 Operations management
- Production methods, efficiency, inventory, lean production.
- Costs, economies/diseconomies of scale, break-even analysis.
- Quality assurance, quality control, location decisions.
5 Financial information and decisions
- Business finance needs and sources.
- Cash-flow forecasting, working capital, short-term financial management.
- Income statements, financial position, profitability and liquidity ratios.
- Use of accounts by stakeholders.
6 External influences on business activity
- Economic issues: business cycle, government policies, interest rates.
- Environmental and ethical issues: sustainability, legal controls, ethical considerations.
- Globalisation, multinationals, exchange rate impacts.
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Short Answer and Data Response
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks.
- Four compulsory questions based on short answers and structured data.
- Stimulus materials may include data, tables, graphs.
- Tests knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation.
Paper 2: Case Study
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks.
- Four compulsory questions based on a case study with supporting data.
- Assesses across the full syllabus with focus on applying knowledge in business contexts.
Tests knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation.
- Each paper contributes 50% to the final grade.
- Grading is based on AO1 (40%), AO2 (20%), AO3 (25%), AO4 (15%).
- Assessment objectives weighted differently in each paper but together total 100%.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) O Level Business Studies 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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