Readable syllabus overview and practice questions
Cambridge International AS & A Level Business 9609
Examinations 2026–2028. Readable text and equivalent practice questions. Practice scores are not Cambridge grades.
1 · Business 9609
Cambridge International AS & A Level
Business 9609
Explore the topics you will study and the skills you will develop.
Examinations 2026–2028 · Syllabus Overview
2 · How the course is organised
AS Level: topics 1.1–5.5. Full A Level: all topics, adding 6.1–10.4. Strategy connects the additional A Level areas.
Use the syllabus for examinations 2026–2028. Confirm your examination year and any options with your centre.
3 · AS · Business and its environment · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.1 Enterprise
Explore enterprise, business activity and the role of entrepreneurs.
1.2 Business structure
Compare ownership structures and the sectors in which businesses operate.
4 · AS · Business and its environment · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.3 Size of business
Consider measures of size, growth and the role of small businesses.
5 · AS · Business and its environment
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.4 Business objectives
Explain how aims and objectives guide business decisions.
1.5 Stakeholders in a business
Compare stakeholder interests and potential conflicts.
6 · AS · Human resource management · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.1 Human resource management
Explore recruitment, training and the management of people.
2.2 Motivation
Apply motivation ideas to employee performance.
7 · AS · Human resource management · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.3 Management
Consider management functions and their contribution to business objectives.
8 · AS · Marketing · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
3.1 The nature of marketing
Explore markets, customers and the role of marketing.
3.2 Market research
Choose and interpret research to support marketing decisions.
9 · AS · Marketing · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
3.3 The marketing mix
Combine product, price, promotion and distribution decisions.
10 · AS · Operations management · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.1 The nature of operations
Explore how resources become goods and services.
4.2 Inventory management
Consider stock levels and the costs of holding and ordering inventory.
11 · AS · Operations management · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.3 Capacity utilisation and outsourcing
Evaluate use of capacity and the decision to contract work externally.
12 · AS · Finance and accounting · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
5.1 Business finance
Identify why businesses need finance and how financial needs vary.
5.2 Sources of finance
Compare funding sources for different purposes.
13 · AS · Finance and accounting · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
5.3 Forecasting and managing cash flows
Prepare and interpret cash-flow information and responses to shortages.
14 · AS · Finance and accounting
Compulsory within this study stage.
5.4 Costs
Use cost information to support business decisions.
5.5 Budgets
Explain how budgets help planning and control.
15 · A Level additional · Business and its environment
Compulsory within this study stage.
6.1 External influences on business activity
Analyse how external change affects business choices.
6.2 Business strategy
Evaluate strategic choices in context.
16 · A Level additional · Human resource management · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.1 Organisational structure
Assess how organisational design affects coordination and performance.
7.2 Business communication
Evaluate communication methods and barriers.
17 · A Level additional · Human resource management · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.3 Leadership
Compare approaches to leading people and managing change.
18 · A Level additional · Human resource management
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.4 Human resource management strategy
Connect people-management decisions with long-term business aims.
19 · A Level additional · Marketing
Compulsory within this study stage.
8.1 Marketing analysis
Use analytical tools and market information to support decisions.
8.2 Marketing strategy
Evaluate a coherent marketing approach for business objectives.
20 · A Level additional · Operations management · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
9.1 Location and scale
Evaluate location and scale decisions in context.
9.2 Quality management
Compare ways of maintaining and improving quality.
21 · A Level additional · Operations management · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
9.3 Operations strategy
Connect operational decisions with strategic aims.
22 · A Level additional · Finance and accounting · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
10.1 Financial statements
Interpret the main statements used to report business performance.
10.2 Analysis of published accounts
Use ratios and other information to evaluate performance.
23 · A Level additional · Finance and accounting · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
10.3 Investment appraisal
Compare investment projects using financial appraisal techniques.
24 · A Level additional · Finance and accounting
Compulsory within this study stage.
10.4 Finance and accounting strategy
Evaluate financial decisions in relation to long-term business objectives.
25 · Skills you will develop
Apply concepts to a specific organisation, analyse consequences and make justified judgements. Link the functional areas instead of treating each as isolated.
26 · Keep the syllabus beside you
– Use the official syllabus for 2026–2028.
– Find each numbered topic or labelled option in the subject-content section.
– Use its detailed requirements to plan study and review progress.
[Open the official Cambridge syllabus](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/697371-2026-2028-syllabus.pdf)
The next five questions check your understanding of this topic map. They are optional practice with feedback and retries, not Cambridge grades.
Topic check 1 · Find the right area
Which topic helps a business investigate customers before making decisions?
– 4.2 Inventory management
– 3.2 Market research
– 5.2 Sources of finance
Show answer and feedback
Correct: 3.2 Market research
Correct feedback: 3.2 Market research: Choose and interpret research to support marketing decisions. Review slide 08 and 09.
If 4.2 Inventory management is selected: 4.2 Inventory management: Consider stock levels and the costs of holding and ordering inventory. Review slide 10 and 11. The best match to this question is 3.2 Market research.
If 5.2 Sources of finance is selected: 5.2 Sources of finance: Compare funding sources for different purposes. Review slide 12 and 13. The best match to this question is 3.2 Market research.
Topic check 2 · Understand the course structure
True or false: The full A Level adds strategic content to the AS foundation.
Show answer and feedback
Correct: True
Correct feedback: Correct. Topics 6–10 add strategic analysis while retaining the AS content.
Incorrect feedback: Revisit slide 02. Topics 6–10 add strategic analysis while retaining the AS content.
Topic check 3 · Complete the topic title
Apply motivation ideas to employee performance.
Complete the missing word in this topic title: 2.2 ____
Show answer and feedback
Accepted answer: Motivation. Ignore case and surrounding whitespace; do not require the topic number.
Correct feedback: 2.2 Motivation: Apply motivation ideas to employee performance. Review slide 06 and 07.
Incorrect feedback: Use the description to identify the topic. The missing word is “Motivation”; the complete title is 2.2 Motivation. Review slide 06 and 07.
Topic check 4 · Match topics to their focus
Match each description with its topic label. Use each label once.
Draggable labels: 1.5 Stakeholders in a business; 7.2 Business communication; 10.3 Investment appraisal
– Compare stakeholder interests and potential conflicts. → [drop zone]
– Evaluate communication methods and barriers. → [drop zone]
– Compare investment projects using financial appraisal techniques. → [drop zone]
Show answer and feedback
– Row 1: 1.5 Stakeholders in a business. Review slide 05.
– Row 2: 7.2 Business communication. Review slide 16 and 17.
– Row 3: 10.3 Investment appraisal. Review slide 22 and 23.
Correct feedback: Each label now matches its study focus.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Keep correct matches and revisit the topic descriptions above; use the solution to compare each pair.
Topic check 5 · Identify the study areas
Select the two topic labels that match these descriptions:
– Combine product, price, promotion and distribution decisions.
– Explain how budgets help planning and control.
Selectable text:
3.3 The marketing mix / 1.1 Enterprise / 5.5 Budgets / 1.2 Business structure
Show answer and feedback
Correct labels: 3.3 The marketing mix; 5.5 Budgets.
Incorrect labels: 1.1 Enterprise; 1.2 Business structure.
Correct feedback: 3.3 The marketing mix: Combine product, price, promotion and distribution decisions. Review slide 08 and 09. 5.5 Budgets: Explain how budgets help planning and control. Review slide 14.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Match the meaning of each description, not just a familiar word. 1.1 Enterprise: Explore enterprise, business activity and the role of entrepreneurs. Review slide 03 and 04. 1.2 Business structure: Compare ownership structures and the sectors in which businesses operate. Review slide 03 and 04.