Business for Cambridge IGCSE™ and O Level
Cambridge IGCSE™, IGCSE (9–1) and O Level Business syllabuses (0264/0774/7081)
What you need to know
Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Business
This factsheet provides an overview of the main changes to syllabuses for examination from 2027, and explains how our resources support you and your students with these updates.
Key change
The subject content has been revised and updated to make sure it remains relevant and up to date, as well as to support progression to further study. We have modernised the syllabus by introducing two new topics:
4.2. Technology and production of goods and services
• 4.3. Sustainable production of goods and services
Digital methods of communication have been included in Topic 2, People in business.
What this means for you
Some topics have been reorganised and reduced in size, and wording has been updated to improve clarity. Some content has been removed.
There is brand-new subject content to be aware of and taught.
The wording of the Assessment Objectives (AOs) has been updated.
The weightings for the assessment have changed. The weighting of AO2 Application has increased from 20% to 30%. The weighting of AO1 Knowledge and understanding has decreased from 40% to 35%.
The weighting of AO4 Evaluation has decreased from 15% to 13%.
For Paper 1, each question now has four parts instead of five. The breakdown of marks has changed. For Paper 2, all part (a) questions are now applied questions. The marking criteria remain largely the same.
Key terminology has been updated to reflect current practice, and a list of formulas and ratios has been added to the subject content.
The AOs are clearer and more closely aligned to other related syllabuses, to support smooth progression across the Cambridge Pathway.
The updates to the AO weightings enable students to provide more developed answers with greater contextual and critical thinking skills.
The formulas and ratios are provided to support the teaching of this syllabus.
To develop our updated syllabuses and new published resources, we have spoken to business teachers and educational experts worldwide.
How we support you
Their insights have helped us develop syllabuses and resources that encourage students to accelerate their learning and develop skills for life.
We have refreshed the content of the resources so that they fully align to the syllabus updates. There are 29 chapters in the coursebook and the order of some content has been adjusted slightly. Each chapter has new content which could include updated features, additional connections to sustainability or new syllabus content.
The following chapter names have changed from the previous edition:
Chapter 2 – Economic sectors
Chapter 6 – Human resource management (HRM)
Chapter 8 – Methods of communication
Chapter 9 – Motivating employees
Chapter 12 – Marketing mix: product
Chapter 13 – Marketing mix: price
Chapter 14 – Marketing mix: place
Chapter 15 – Marketing mix: promotion
Chapter 16 – Marketing strategy and legal controls
Chapter 19 – Quality of goods and services
Chapter 22 – Cash flow forecasts
Chapter 23 – Statement of profit or loss
The coursebook includes features that encourage students to think about real-world application, such as ‘Business in context’ and ‘Business in action’. Where possible, we have made connections to the theme of sustainability. Many case studies in the coursebook also have an environmental angle.
A range of assessment support will be available on the School Support Hub, including the scheme of work, learner guide and specimen paper answers, as well as example candidate responses available after first examination. The coursebook and workbook include end-of-section practice questions set out in the style of the exam.
A separate Exam Preparation and Practice book will be available in 2026, providing additional support for preparing for the assessment.
Formulas and ratios listed cover marketing, production, business finance and liquidity ratios. The coursebook highlights subject-specific vocabulary in the text, with full definitions included in the glossary.
For full details on the revised syllabus, visit cambridgeinternational.org/igcse
About the series
This series is suitable to support the Cambridge IGCSE, IGCSE (9–1) and O Level Business syllabuses (0264/0774/7081) for examination from 2027. All components include a digital version, with a user-friendly layout designed with accessibility in mind.
Coursebooks with digital access
• Varied activities, such as carrying out market research or writing a business report, encourage active learning and provide formative assessment insights.
• ‘Business in action’ feature allows students to discuss key topics in connection with the real world.
• Engaging videos bring examples into the classroom, explaining content in a visual way to support understanding.
Workbook with digital access
• Practice questions enable students to practise what they have covered in each topic and prepare for assessment (including case study style).
• ‘Improve this answer’ and ‘Your challenge’ exercises encourage students to evaluate a sample answer and apply improvements to their own answers.
Digital teacher’s resource
• Clear guidance through starter, main and plenary activities to support lesson planning, differentiation and assessment for learning.
• ‘Language support’ feature provides additional guidance on how to support students with language, particularly areas they may find challenging.
• Downloadable worksheets provide extra practice opportunities.
Exam Preparation and Practice – Available in 2026
This new resource is designed to increase students’ confidence, help them recognise different question types and understand connections between concepts. It also has a focus on reflection and managing test anxiety. A wealth of questions and activities will improve their ability to recall knowledge and answer effectively. This text has not been through the endorsement process for the Cambridge Pathway. Any references or materials related to answers, grades, papers or examinations are based on the opinion of the author(s). The Cambridge syllabus or curriculum framework, associated assessment guidance material and specimen papers should always be referred to for definitive guidance.
Do you also teach Cambridge International AS & A Level Business (9609)?
Our Exam Preparation and Practice resource to support the Cambridge International AS & A Level Business (9609) syllabus is now available, in both print and digital formats. It includes over 400 auto-marked questions and past paper question practice.
Cambridge Pathway
The Cambridge Pathway offers five stages of education from age 3 to 19, with curriculum, resources and assessment. Registered Cambridge International Schools benefit from high-quality programmes, qualifications, assessments and a wide range of support so that teachers can effectively deliver in the classroom. Visit cambridgeinternational.org/pathway to find out more.