How to Answer 6-Mark Questions in IGCSE Business
Updated: Oct 12
Six-mark questions in Cambridge IGCSE Business are not won by writing as much as possible. They are won by answering the command word, using the business context and developing the reasoning far enough for the examiner to see the consequence.
The official 0264 specimen Paper 1 contains six-mark questions such as explaining an advantage and a disadvantage, or explaining two reasons. That makes six-mark technique a useful skill for the new syllabus as well as historical 0450 practice.
The core structure
Point → application → explanation → business consequence
The exact balance depends on the command word, but this structure prevents the most common weakness: a correct business point that never becomes a developed answer.
1. Make a precise point
Start with the actual business idea. If the question asks about training, do not begin with 'training is good'. Identify a specific benefit or drawback, such as improved employee skills, lower labour productivity during training, cost, flexibility or staff motivation.
At A Level the same skills are tested at greater length: see how to tackle Cambridge 9609 Business Paper 2.
2. Apply it to the business
Application means using information that changes or strengthens the argument. Good application might use the firm's size, product, market, location, staffing, finance, objectives, capacity or data from the stimulus.
Weak application: 'This helps the business.' Better application: 'Because the café only has six employees, sending two workers on external training could leave it short-staffed during busy periods.'
3. Develop the chain
A chain should show why the point matters. Better training can reduce employee mistakes; fewer mistakes can reduce waste or complaints; that can lower costs or improve customer satisfaction; that may support profit or repeat demand.
You do not need to force four arrows into every sentence. You do need to make the consequence explicit rather than leaving the examiner to infer it.
4. If the question asks for two sides, keep them genuinely different
For an advantage-and-disadvantage question, do not write the same idea twice in reverse. 'Training improves skills' and 'without training skills are worse' are not two developed arguments.
A stronger pair might be improved service quality on one side and the cost or time away from work on the other.
5. Let the command word decide the finish
Identify: give the required point clearly.
Explain: develop why or how the point affects the business.
Analyse: build a clear cause-and-effect chain using the context or data.
Justify or recommend: choose and defend a judgement using evidence from the case.
Why context matters even more in 0264
Cambridge gives AO2 Application about 30% of the overall qualification. Business is not just a memory test: you are expected to apply what you know to the business in front of you.
A quick self-check before moving on
Did I answer the command word?
Did I use a fact from the business or stimulus where it genuinely matters?
Did I explain the consequence rather than stop at the point?
If I gave two points, are they distinct?
Is the depth sensible for six marks?
Official sources
Reviewed by JOSHI · Last reviewed 13 September 2026