Cambridge IGCSE™: Business Studies 0450/22
Cambridge IGCSE™: Business Studies 0450/22
Cambridge IGCSE™: Business Studies 0450/22
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2024 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and some
Cambridge O Level components.
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level
descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
marks are not deducted for errors
marks are not deducted for omissions
answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly
convey the same meaning (unless the mark scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they
are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one
prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended writing is required rather than list-type
answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required.
(Check for evidence it is understood and not used wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all
possibilities
f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already
credited unless the language itself is being tested. This applies equally to ‘mirror
statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of
syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms
with which they may be confused (e.g. Corrasion/Corrosion)
3 Calculation questions:
The mark scheme will show the steps in the most likely correct method(s), the mark for
each step, the correct answer(s) and the mark for each answer
If working/explanation is considered essential for full credit, this will be indicated in the
question paper and in the mark scheme. In all other instances, the correct answer to a
calculation should be given full credit, even if no supporting working is shown.
Where the candidate uses a valid method which is not covered by the mark scheme,
award equivalent marks for reaching equivalent stages.
Where an answer makes use of a candidate’s own incorrect figure from previous working,
the ‘own figure rule’ applies: full marks will be given if a correct and complete method is
used. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any
exceptions to this general principle will be noted.
4 Annotation:
For point marking, ticks can be used to indicate correct answers and crosses can be used
to indicate wrong answers. There is no direct relationship between ticks and marks. Ticks
have no defined meaning for levels of response marking.
For levels of response marking, the level awarded should be annotated on the script.
Other annotations will be used by examiners as agreed during standardisation, and the
meaning will be understood by all examiners who marked that paper.
BOD Benefit of doubt Used when the benefit of the doubt is given in order to
reward a response.
TV Too vague Used when parts of the answer are considered to be too
vague.
NAQ Not answered Used when the answer or parts of the answer are not
question answering the question asked.
OFR Own figure rule If a mistake is made in a calculation, and the incorrect
figure that results from the mistake is used for subsequent
calculations.
SEEN Noted but no credit Indicates that content has been recognised but not
given rewarded.
1(a) Explain two reasons why setting business objectives is important to JJ. 8
Award a maximum of 3 additional marks for each explanation of the reason why
setting business objectives is important – one of which must be applied to
this context.
For example: To give a clear target for employees and managers to work
towards (1) so they all know what is expected of them (1) when producing
different items of jewellery (app). Therefore, this means the target is more likely
to be achieved (1).
1(b) Using Appendix 1 and other information, consider the two new products 12
JJ could produce. Which product should JJ choose? Justify your
answer using break-even calculations.
Product A
Product B
Well-justified recommendation.
0 No creditable response. 0
2(a) Explain two benefits and two limitations for JJ of employing part-time 8
workers in its factory.
For example: If the employee sees the job as temporary, then they may be
less committed to the business (1) and produce fewer items of jewellery (app).
2(b) Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the following three ways 12
JJ could promote its new product in country X. Which way should JJ
use? Justify your answer.
Well-justified recommendation.
0 No creditable response. 0
Advantages Disadvantages
2(b)
Advantages Disadvantages
For example: If the business makes a good profit, then it may attract investors
(1) to help it raise capital by selling additional shares (1).
3(b) Consider the opportunities and threats of ecommerce for JJ. Which is 12
likely to have the most effect on JJ? Justify your answer.
Well-justified conclusion.
0 No Creditable Response 0
4(a) Using Appendix 2 and other information, explain two ways JJ may be 8
affected by the forecast increase in unemployment in country X.
For example: May make it easier for JJ to recruit new employees (1) as there
is a larger pool of unemployed people to choose from (1) and many of these
workers may be skilled people available for work (1) with experience of how to
manufacture jewellery (app).
4(b) Using Appendix 3 and other information, consider the following two 12
environmental issues when JJ manufactures its products. Which issue
should JJ choose to solve first? Justify your answer.
Well-justified conclusion.
0 No creditable response 0