Cambridge (CIE) O Level Commerce specification (7100)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) O Level Commerce 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 Commerce 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 Commerce (7100) 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 Commerce aims to develop learners’ understanding of commercial activities within national and international contexts. The course introduces key concepts such as trade, production, logistics, and aids to trade, highlighting how commerce adapts to a changing environment influenced by technology, ethics, and sustainability. It encourages learners to apply knowledge critically, fostering skills in analysis, communication, and evaluation, while recognising the interconnected roles of consumers, producers, retailers, and wholesalers. The syllabus also explores the impact of innovation and globalisation on commerce, preparing students for further study
Subject content breakdown
1 Commerce and production
- Differences between trade and commerce; types of trade.
- Aids to trade and logistics elements in supply chains.
- Types of commerce: traditional, ecommerce, mcommerce, scommerce.
- Interdependence of production, trade, and commerce.
- Sectors of production and specialisation, including advantages and disadvantages.
- In-house vs outsourced production, global supply chains, intermediaries.
- Digital technology’s impact on production.
- Types of costs and simple cost calculations.
2 Commercial operations
- Private vs public sector enterprises; features and reasons for each.
- Multinational companies: characteristics, impacts, reasons.
- Franchises: features, pros and cons.
- Physical and ecommerce location factors.
- Growth of outsourcing and its types.
- Retailing types, features, advantages, selling techniques, digital retail trends.
- Ecommerce effects on traditional commerce.
- Wholesaler functions and importance.
- Trading documents in home and international trade; digital trading documents.
- Types and methods of communication and factors affecting choice.
3 Globalisation of trade
- Benefits and challenges of international trade.
- Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments: differences, calculation, interpretation.
- Free trade, trading blocs, trade restrictions, support sources for exporters.
- Global supply chains: types, features, benefits.
- Risks in global supply chains and importance of risk assessment.
4 Logistics in commerce
- Transport functions, types, advantages/disadvantages, containerisation.
- Warehousing functions, types, automation, and its benefits.
5 Aids to trade that support commerce
- Advertising: purposes, types, methods, appeals, sales promotion methods.
- Banking services and digital banking: types, impact.
- Insurance purposes, types of risks, usage of documents, brokers.
- Sources of finance: short and long-term, appropriateness in different situations.
- Commercial calculations: revenue, gross profit, profit for the year, working capital, mark-up.
- Methods to improve commercial performance.
6 Sustainability and ethics
- Purpose and actions for sustainability in commerce.
- Ethical issues: fair trade, misleading advertising, harmful disposal.
- Consumer protection reasons and resolution actions.
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Multiple Choice
- 1 hour, 40 marks, 30% of total.
- 40 compulsory questions from all syllabus topics.
- Involves analysis of diagrams, charts, and simple commercial calculations.
- Assesses knowledge, application, and analysis.
Paper 2: Written
- 2 hours, 80 marks, 70% of total.
- Structured questions based on commercial scenarios.
- Includes stimulus material requiring interpretation and calculation.
- All questions compulsory.
Assesses knowledge, application, and analysis.
Both papers test:
- AO1: Knowledge and Understanding
- AO2: Application
- AO3: Analysis and Evaluation
Weighting of assessment objectives:
- AO1: 33%
- AO2: 29%
- AO3: 38%
Command words include: Analyse, Assess, Calculate, Compare, Consider, Define, Describe, Discuss, Evaluate, Explain, Give, Identify, Justify, Outline, State.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) O Level Commerce 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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