IGCSE Olevel Business Studies (7115) Case Study Approach for Exams | Examiner Approved High Mark Techniques

In IGCSE Business Studies (7115), many students feel confident with the syllabus but still struggle to achieve high marks in the exam. The main reason for this is not a lack of knowledge, but weak case study technique. Cambridge Business Studies is designed to test how well students can apply business concepts to real situations, not how many definitions they can memorise.

For the May/June 2026 session, understanding how to approach case study questions properly can make a noticeable difference to final grades. This article explains what examiners look for, how to handle command words correctly, and how to structure answers in a way that consistently scores higher marks.

Understanding Case Study Questions in IGCSE Business Studies

A case study question presents a short business scenario, often describing a company’s size, objectives, market conditions, or recent decisions. Students are then asked to respond using their business knowledge within that specific context. This could involve analysing a pricing decision, discussing sources of finance, or evaluating a growth strategy.

What many students misunderstand is that case study questions are not about general business theory. Examiners are looking for answers that are clearly linked to the business in the case. Even strong theoretical knowledge will score poorly if it is not applied to the scenario provided.

In simple terms, a good case study answer shows that the student understands how real businesses operate, taking into account factors such as costs, revenue, demand, competition, and business objectives.

Why Students Often Lose Easy Marks

One of the most common problems in Business Studies exams is writing answers that are too generic. Students may correctly explain a concept such as internal finance or market share, but fail to link it to the business in the case study. This immediately limits the number of marks an examiner can award.

Another frequent issue is misunderstanding command words. Many students treat “explain”, “analyse”, and “evaluate” as if they mean the same thing, which leads to incomplete answers. Poor conclusions in high-mark questions also cost students valuable marks, especially when no judgement is made.

These mistakes are not difficult to fix, but they require focused practice and clear guidance on exam technique.

Using Command Words Correctly

Command words guide students on how deeply they need to answer a question. Ignoring them almost always results in lost marks.

When a question asks students to explain, examiners expect a clear business point followed by a reason or result. For example, explaining why internal finance may be suitable should involve linking lower costs and improved cash flow to the needs of the business in the case study.

When a question uses the word analyse, students must go a step further. Analysis involves explaining how or why a decision affects the business. This often includes discussing the impact on revenue, profit, demand, or competitiveness. A well-analysed answer shows cause and effect, rather than just stating advantages or disadvantages.

Questions that ask students to compare require discussion of similarities or differences between two options, such as internal and external finance. Strong answers clearly weigh factors like cost, risk, control, and suitability for the business.

Higher-mark questions often use command words such as discuss or evaluate, which require balanced arguments and a justified conclusion.

Writing Strong Evaluation in High-Mark Questions

Evaluation is what separates average answers from high-scoring ones in IGCSE Business Studies. In evaluation questions, examiners want to see judgement, not repetition. A strong evaluated answer considers both sides of an argument and then decides which option is more suitable for the business in the case study.

Good evaluation is always linked to the business objectives. Students should ask themselves whether the decision supports profit, growth, market share, or long-term survival. The size of the business, its level of risk, and whether the impact is short-term or long-term should also be considered.

A high-quality evaluation often uses phrases such as “this depends on”, “however”, or “in the long run”. For example, instead of simply stating that external finance is risky, a stronger conclusion would explain that although external finance allows faster growth, it may increase financial risk for a small business with limited cash flow. This kind of reasoning shows clear business understanding and is rewarded by examiners.

Using the Case Study Effectively

Examiners reward answers that clearly refer back to the case study. Simple references to the type of business, its market, or its objectives can significantly improve marks. Even brief contextual phrases help demonstrate application, which is essential in Business Studies.

Students should train themselves to extract key information from the case study before answering questions. Identifying whether a business is small or large, competitive or niche, profit-driven or growth-focused helps shape more relevant answers.

Key Business Terms That Strengthen Answers

Using appropriate business terminology naturally within answers improves clarity and credibility. Terms such as revenue, costs, profit, cash flow, demand, market share, productivity, efficiency, and stakeholders should be used where relevant. However, these terms should support the explanation, not replace it. Examiners value understanding over memorisation.

Final Advice for May/June 2026 Candidates

Business Studies is a subject where exam technique can dramatically improve results in a short time. Students who understand how to apply concepts, handle command words correctly, and evaluate decisions logically often outperform those who rely on notes alone.

Consistent practice with past-paper case studies, combined with structured feedback, is one of the most effective ways to improve performance.

This is why real case-study drills with regular feedback are such an important part of focused exam preparation. Our IGCSE Business Studies crash course for May/June 2026 is built around exactly this approach, helping students refine their answers, improve structure, and gain confidence under exam conditions.

Need Guided Practice for Business Studies (7115)?

If you want structured preparation, regular feedback, and exam-focused support for the May/June 2026 session, our IGCSE Business Studies crash course is designed specifically for this purpose.

Written by: Zahra Kazmi
A Cambridge-certified Business Studies teacher and examiner with over 10 years of experience teaching and assessing IGCSE and O Level students. This article is based on examiner reports, past paper analysis, and extensive classroom experience preparing students for Cambridge examinations.