How to Revise International A-Level Business Studies

Prepare for International A-Level Business with practice on strategy, finance, marketing, and operations management.

Revision Strategy

Revising Business Studies means understanding concepts and theories well enough to apply them to real-world examples and scenarios. Start by making sure you can define and explain the key terms and theories for each topic, then practise applying them to case studies and exam-style questions. The ability to connect theory to evidence is what earns the highest marks.

Essay structure is critical in Business Studies. Most extended answers require you to present arguments and counter-arguments before reaching a supported conclusion. Practise writing structured responses that clearly state a point, support it with evidence or theory, and then evaluate it before moving on. This disciplined approach prevents waffling and keeps your answers focused.

Research methods and evaluation skills are tested across many Business Studies papers. Make sure you understand the strengths and weaknesses of different research approaches, can identify bias, and can evaluate the reliability and validity of evidence. These analytical skills are transferable across topics and often provide straightforward marks in the exam.

Study Tips for International A-Level Business Studies

✓ Learn key business models and frameworks (SWOT, PESTLE, Porter's Five Forces, Ansoff Matrix, Boston Matrix) and practice applying them to different business scenarios.
✓ Study real international companies and be prepared to reference them in exam answers. Specific examples from named businesses demonstrate applied understanding that generic answers cannot.
✓ Practice financial calculations (ratios, break-even, investment appraisal) regularly. International A-Level Business Studies includes significant quantitative content.
✓ Read business news from international sources to develop awareness of current business trends, challenges and strategies.

Exam Tips for International A-Level Business Studies

✓ In case study questions, always relate your answer to the specific business in the case. Generic business theory without application to the case study will not earn top marks.
✓ When making recommendations, justify your choice, consider alternatives and acknowledge limitations. Examiners reward balanced, realistic analysis over one-sided advocacy.
✓ Show your working in financial calculation questions and interpret the results in the context of the business scenario. Calculating a ratio without explaining what it means is only half the answer.

Topics to Cover

8 topics in International A-Level Business Studies

Business & Environment

Marketing

Finance & Accounting

Operations Management

Human Resource Management

Strategic Management

Business Ethics

Global Business

Available Exam Boards

International A-Level Business Studies specification guides for each exam board

Cambridge International Edexcel International

Frequently Asked Questions

Is International A-Level Business Studies accepted for business degrees? +

Yes. Universities worldwide accept International A-Level Business Studies for admissions to business, management and related courses. Some highly quantitative business courses may also require A-Level Mathematics.

What is the difference between Business Studies and Economics at A-Level? +

Business Studies focuses on how individual businesses are managed, marketed, financed and operated. Economics focuses on how entire economies function, including market theory, government policy and international trade. There is some overlap, but the perspectives and assessment styles differ significantly.

How does the modular structure benefit International A-Level Business Studies? +

The modular structure means you can sit AS-level papers after your first year of study and A2 papers in your second year. You can also resit individual units to improve your grade, which is not possible with the linear UK A-Level.

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