Business Studies (9-1) 0986
Explore business organisation, people, marketing, operations and finance. Use case studies to explain and evaluate business decisions.
What you'll cover
- Understanding business activity
- People in business
- Marketing
- Operations management
- Financial information and decisions
- External influences on business activity
Published syllabus exam years: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Progress through Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Business Studies 0986
2026 syllabus · Version 2 · 9–1 grading
6 of 6 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
Ninety-eight original lessons map all 63 sections in the 2026 Version 2 syllabus, with worked examples and guided, independent and transfer practice. Cambridge states that 0986 is otherwise the same in subject content as 0450 but is graded 9–1. In June and November, entry is available in Administrative Zone 3 and to centres in Oman and UAE; confirm eligibility with Cambridge and your centre. Candidates cannot combine 0986 with 0450 or O Level 7115 in the same series. For 2027 first assessment, the code changes to 0774. Simple cash-flow forecast construction is assessed; construction of income statements and statements of financial position, price-elasticity calculations and exchange-rate calculations are excluded. Cambridge lists past papers and resources on the 0450 page for use with 0986. Full timed-paper practice, exam-grade evidence and human subject-teacher review remain outstanding; learner practice is self-checked and is not an official Cambridge grade.
2026 only. 0986 is graded 9–1 and is otherwise the same 2026 subject content as 0450. In June and November it is available in Administrative Zone 3 and to centres in Oman and UAE; confirm current entry eligibility with Cambridge and your centre. Cambridge changed the syllabus code to 0774 for first assessment June 2027. 0986 cannot be combined with 0450 or O Level 7115 in the same series.
View syllabus coverage
All 63 numbered sections in the 2026 Version 2 syllabus have mapped teaching and three-stage practice: Topic 1 has 11 sections, Topic 2 has 12, Topic 3 has 14, Topic 4 has 8, Topic 5 has 12 and Topic 6 has 6. The route includes constructing simple cash-flow forecasts. Cambridge does not assess construction of income statements or statements of financial position, price-elasticity calculations or exchange-rate calculations. Paper 1 Short Answer and Data Response and Paper 2 Case Study each last 1 hour 30 minutes and count for 50%. Full timed-paper practice, exam-grade evidence and human subject-teacher review remain outstanding; app practice is self-checked and is not an official Cambridge grade.
Topic 1
- Understanding business activity1Calculate and explain added valueApply opportunity cost to a business choiceClassify primary, secondary and tertiary activitySeparate private-sector and public-sector activityExplain enterprise and entrepreneurial qualitiesBuild and use a simple business planMeasure business size with suitable evidenceExplain internal growthExplain mergers, takeovers and integrationEvaluate growth and reasons to remain smallExplain why businesses succeed or failCompare sole traders and partnershipsCompare private and public limited companiesCompare franchises, joint ventures and social enterprisesChoose and explain business objectivesIdentify stakeholder groups and objectivesEvaluate stakeholder conflict in a business decisionConnect needs, specialisation and business purposeExplain how economic development changes business sectorsWhy new businesses face a higher risk of failureCompare public corporations with private businessesCompare private- and public-sector objectives
Topic 2
- People in business2Plan a recruitment processUse evidence to select an employeeCompare internal and external recruitmentRead an employment contractExplain employment protections and their effectsChoose training for a new employeeRead business functions and organisation chartsChoose flexible and part-time working arrangementsApply management functions and delegationChoose a leadership styleExplain downsizing and redundancyExplain the role of trade unionsChoose a business communication methodIdentify and reduce communication barriersExplain motivation and motivational theoriesCompare financial and non-financial motivation methods
Topic 3
- Marketing3Connect marketing to customer needsRespond to market change and calculate market shareCompare mass and niche marketsSegment a market using customer characteristicsChoose primary research and a sampleEvaluate secondary research and market dataDevelop a product and its brandRead the product life cycle and extend a productSelect a pricing methodChoose a distribution channelPlan advertising and sales promotionEvaluate ecommerce for businesses and customersCombine the marketing mix into a strategyEnter a market in another countryProtect customers through marketing controls
Topic 4
- Operations management4Calculate labour productivity and explain efficiencyUse lean production and manage inventoryChoose job, batch or flow productionAssess technology in production and servicesClassify and calculate production costsExplain economies and diseconomies of scaleInterpret a break-even chartCalculate break-even output and margin of safetyUse break-even analysis for decisions and limitsChoose quality control or quality assuranceChoose a location for operationsConstruct a simple break-even chart
Topic 5
- Financial information and decisions5Identify why a business needs financeCalculate and manage working capitalCompare internal sources of financeCompare borrowing and supplier financeCompare equity, venture capital, grants and crowdfundingChoose a suitable source of financeRead cash-flow forecasts and their purposeInterpret a cash-flow problem and respondExplain profit and why it mattersCalculate figures from a statement of profit or lossUse profit-or-loss information in a business decisionClassify assets, liabilities and capital employedCalculate working capital and statement totalsCalculate profitability ratiosCalculate and interpret liquidity ratiosUse accounts and ratios for different usersBuild a simple cash-flow forecastInterpret a statement of financial position
Topic 6
- External influences on business activity6Use sustainable production methodsExplain the stages of the business cycleConnect employment, inflation and economic growth to a businessExplain how tax and government spending affect businessExplain how interest-rate changes affect businessesExplain why globalisation is increasingExplain import tariffs, quotas and business effectsAssess a business becoming a multinational companyEvaluate effects of a multinational company on a host countryDistinguish private and external costs and benefitsExplain currency appreciation and depreciationRespond to environmental effects and controlsAssess ethical choices in businessExplain how pressure groups influence businessesExplain GDP growth as a government objective
Lessons and worked examples
Choose where to begin
Choose a lesson, try the practice and explain the idea without your notes. Your study checks help you decide what to review.
- 01
Calculate and explain added value
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
Apply opportunity cost to a business choice
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 03
Classify primary, secondary and tertiary activity
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 04
Separate private-sector and public-sector activity
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 05
Explain enterprise and entrepreneurial qualities
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 06
Build and use a simple business plan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 07
Measure business size with suitable evidence
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 08
Explain internal growth
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 09
Explain mergers, takeovers and integration
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 10
Evaluate growth and reasons to remain small
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 11
Explain why businesses succeed or fail
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 12
Compare sole traders and partnerships
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 13
Compare private and public limited companies
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 14
Compare franchises, joint ventures and social enterprises
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 15
Choose and explain business objectives
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 16
Identify stakeholder groups and objectives
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 17
Evaluate stakeholder conflict in a business decision
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 18
Plan a recruitment process
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 19
Use evidence to select an employee
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 20
Compare internal and external recruitment
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 21
Read an employment contract
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 22
Explain employment protections and their effects
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 23
Choose training for a new employee
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 24
Read business functions and organisation charts
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 25
Choose flexible and part-time working arrangements
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 26
Apply management functions and delegation
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 27
Choose a leadership style
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 28
Explain downsizing and redundancy
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 29
Explain the role of trade unions
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 30
Choose a business communication method
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 31
Identify and reduce communication barriers
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 32
Explain motivation and motivational theories
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 33
Compare financial and non-financial motivation methods
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 34
Connect marketing to customer needs
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 35
Respond to market change and calculate market share
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 36
Compare mass and niche markets
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 37
Segment a market using customer characteristics
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 38
Choose primary research and a sample
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 39
Evaluate secondary research and market data
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 40
Develop a product and its brand
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 41
Read the product life cycle and extend a product
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 42
Select a pricing method
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 43
Choose a distribution channel
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 44
Plan advertising and sales promotion
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 45
Evaluate ecommerce for businesses and customers
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 46
Combine the marketing mix into a strategy
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 47
Enter a market in another country
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 48
Protect customers through marketing controls
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 49
Calculate labour productivity and explain efficiency
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 50
Use lean production and manage inventory
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 51
Choose job, batch or flow production
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 52
Assess technology in production and services
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 53
Use sustainable production methods
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 54
Classify and calculate production costs
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 55
Explain economies and diseconomies of scale
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 56
Interpret a break-even chart
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 57
Calculate break-even output and margin of safety
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 58
Use break-even analysis for decisions and limits
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 59
Choose quality control or quality assurance
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 60
Choose a location for operations
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 61
Identify why a business needs finance
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 62
Calculate and manage working capital
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 63
Compare internal sources of finance
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 64
Compare borrowing and supplier finance
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 65
Compare equity, venture capital, grants and crowdfunding
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 66
Choose a suitable source of finance
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 67
Read cash-flow forecasts and their purpose
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 68
Interpret a cash-flow problem and respond
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 69
Explain profit and why it matters
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 70
Calculate figures from a statement of profit or loss
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 71
Use profit-or-loss information in a business decision
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 72
Classify assets, liabilities and capital employed
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 73
Calculate working capital and statement totals
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 74
Calculate profitability ratios
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 75
Calculate and interpret liquidity ratios
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 76
Use accounts and ratios for different users
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 77
Explain the stages of the business cycle
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 78
Connect employment, inflation and economic growth to a business
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 79
Explain how tax and government spending affect business
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 80
Explain how interest-rate changes affect businesses
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 81
Explain why globalisation is increasing
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 82
Explain import tariffs, quotas and business effects
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 83
Assess a business becoming a multinational company
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 84
Evaluate effects of a multinational company on a host country
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 85
Distinguish private and external costs and benefits
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 86
Explain currency appreciation and depreciation
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 87
Respond to environmental effects and controls
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 88
Assess ethical choices in business
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 89
Explain how pressure groups influence businesses
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 90
Connect needs, specialisation and business purpose
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 91
Explain how economic development changes business sectors
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 92
Why new businesses face a higher risk of failure
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 93
Compare public corporations with private businesses
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 94
Compare private- and public-sector objectives
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 95
Construct a simple break-even chart
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 96
Build a simple cash-flow forecast
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 97
Interpret a statement of financial position
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 98
Explain GDP growth as a government objective
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started
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