There is no coursework component needed to complete IGCSE or GCSE Business Studies for AQA GCSE Business (8132), Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450), or Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Business (9-1) (4BS1). That is, students can attain the qualification by examination only. There are quite a few similarities between the courses, so read through the syllabus and the specification and choose carefully.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Business Studies offered by Pearson Edexcel and AQA exam boards.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Business Studies offered by Pearson Edexcel and AQA exam boards.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments (exams), read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
AQA GCSE Business (8132)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business/gcse/business-8132
Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-business-studies-0450/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Business (4BS1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/business-2017.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business/gcse/business-8132
Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-business-studies-0450/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Business (4BS1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/business-2017.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong IGCSE and GCSE knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
The endorsed textbooks are closely aligned to exam board courses and will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each examination board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450)
- Gillispie, A. (2017) Approaches to learning and teaching Business & Economics: a toolkit for international teachers. ISBN: 9781316645949 [Endorsed]
- Borrington, K. & Stimpson, P. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business Studies: Workbook, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510421257 [Endorsed]
- Houghton, M. & Fisher, M. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business Studies: Cambridge Elevate Teacher's Resource. ISBN: 9781108441728 [Endorsed]
- Fisher, M. et al. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business Studies: Coursebook. ISBN: 9781108563987 [Endorsed]
- Borrington, K. & Stimpson, P. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business Studies: Online Teacher Guide. ISBN: 9781510424128 [Endorsed]
- Houghton, M. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business Studies: Revision Guide. ISBN: 9781108441742 [Endorsed]
- Borrington, K. & Stimpson, P. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business Studies: Student Textbook. ISBN: 9781510421233 [Endorsed]
- Jain, V. & Smith, A. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business Studies: Workbook. ISBN: 9781108710008 [Endorsed]
- Bentley, P. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies: Revision Guide. ISBN: 978008260149 [Endorsed]
- Dean, A. et al. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies: Student's Book. ISBN: 9780008258054 [Endorsed]
- Machin, D. et al. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies: Teacher's Guide. ISBN: 9780008258061 [Endorsed]
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Business (4BS1)
- Jones, R. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Business: Student Book and ActiveBook. ISBN: 9780435188634 [Endorsed]
- Jones, R. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Business: Online Teacher Resource Pack. ISBN: 9780435191351 [Endorsed]
AQA GCSE Business (8132)
- Surridge, M. & Gillespie, A. (2017) AQA GCSE Business. ISBN: 9781471899386 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for IGCSE and GCSE Business Studies
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring IGCSEs or GCSEs. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpsvr82
BBC Bitesize is an excellent revision site that contains revision notes and questions for the student to test their knowledge.
www.score.org/
A brilliant site, for me, as I worked on getting my small educational business off the ground. This non-profit organisation is geared towards helping small businesses with mentorship, information, advice and other tools. It is worth a look for real-world advice for businesses.
www.tradingeconomics.com/
Trading Economics provides its users with accurate information for 232 countries including historical data for more than 300.000 economic indicators, exchange rates, stock market indexes, government bond yields and commodity prices. It is a useful reference for statistics.
www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
Another useful reference source of information on countries around the world, including economies, government, geography and so on. Worth having as a resource, for teachers and students.
www.startups.co.uk/
From the CAIE website, this website provides information for businesses (in the UK) who want to set up in business. Includes information on a range of issues including marketing and finance plus some useful stories about entrepreneurs.
http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm
International Monetary Fund website - useful as a reference or resource guide, but stacked with information so be sure what you are looking for!
http://www.revisionstation.co.uk/
This looks like a useful website with revision material and content for Business Studies, Accounting and Law. It is created by one teacher and has plenty of free resources, so have a look around.
http://www.revisionguru.co.uk/
Another good site for revision notes or background reading, produced by an experienced teacher of Business Studies and Economics. (Note: a bit slow to open sometimes, but worth the wait).
http://www.economist.com/
Another great go-to website with relevant material for teachers and motivated students who want to have up-to-the minute information to balance their Business Studies course.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.