How to Revise for IGCSE Business Studies: Tactics That Work

Finding IGCSE Business revision tough? You’re not alone! Many students struggle to remember key terms, business models, and financial concepts. It’s frustrating to spend hours studying, only to forget the information when it really matters.

One big reason for this? A lot of students rely on passive revision—just reading notes or highlighting textbooks—which doesn’t help the information stick. This can make revision feel overwhelming and knock your confidence.

The good news? There are smarter ways to revise. Techniques like mind maps, past papers, and the Pomodoro method can make studying much more effective. Diagrams help break down tricky topics, past papers get you used to exam-style questions, and short, focused study sessions keep you productive without feeling drained. Want to test your knowledge? Try teaching a topic to someone else—it’s a great way to check if you really understand it!

I’ve spent over 20 years helping students master Business Studies exams - both as a teacher and an examiner. I know what works well, so in this article I am going to cover nine tried-and-tested tactics that have led to success for my students. These tactics are:

• Using visual study techniques

• Practising with past paper exams

• Using the Pomodoro Technique

• Teaching others

• Creating a study schedule

• Mastering business calculations

• Developing case study analysis skills

• Keeping up with business news

• Know your exam board

Tactic 1: Make Use of Visual Study Aids

How do visual study techniques improve business revision?

The IGCSE Business syllabus covers a wide range of topics, from financial management to human resources, and visual study tools can help you remember key terms, business models, and calculations more effectively.

• Mind maps are useful when revising broad topics such as business ownership structures, leadership styles, and sources of finance. Organising information visually helps to link different concepts together.

• Flowcharts are ideal for understanding step-by-step processes like recruitment, production methods, or decision-making frameworks. One of my students found that drawing a flowchart of the marketing process made it much easier to recall the sequence of activities.

• Graphs and tables can simplify financial topics, such as break-even analysis and cash flow forecasts, making calculations easier to understand.

Save My Exams provides structured notes and diagrams to help make business revision more visual. You can also explore our guide to using visual learning techniques for more information.

Tactic 2: Practise with Exam-Style Questions

How does practising past exam questions help?

Completing past papers and topic-specific questions is one of the best ways to improve exam performance. It helps you get used to the structure of the paper, the wording of questions, and how to manage your time effectively.

• Work on past papers under exam conditions to build confidence and develop a clear strategy for structuring your answers.

• Instead of just reviewing mark schemes, actively identify where you lost marks and think about how to improve next time. Keeping a record of these insights can prevent you from repeating mistakes.

• Longer evaluation-style questions often focus on external business influences, financial decision-making, or ethical considerations, so practicing these types of questions will prepare you well.

A student initially struggled with evaluation questions on business expansion strategies. By reviewing examiner feedback and practising responses on topics such as franchising versus organic growth, they improved their ability to balance arguments and provide justified conclusions.

Have a look at our topic-based practice questions for CIE.

Tactic 3: Use the Pomodoro Study Method

Why is the Pomodoro technique effective for business revision?

Studying for long periods without a break can be exhausting. The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves working in 25-minute intervals, called Pomodoros, with short breaks in between. The technique helps you focus and be more productive. 

• Study in 25-minute intervals, concentrating on one topic, such as the impact of inflation on businesses or the advantages and disadvantages of different pricing strategies.

• Take 5-minute breaks between study sessions to refresh your brain.

• After completing four study sessions, take a longer 15–30 minute break before resuming your work.

One student preparing for financial management topics found it hard to concentrate. By using the Pomodoro Technique to study break-even analysis and cash flow forecasting in short bursts, they retained information better and avoided burnout.

Tactic 4: Teach the Content to Someone Else

How does explaining topics to others help with revision?

Teaching someone else is one of the best ways to reinforce your understanding. If you can explain a concept in simple terms, you truly understand it.

• Try describing key business topics, such as the impact of exchange rates on international trade or the importance of motivation in the workplace, to a friend or family member.

• Recording yourself explaining a topic can also be useful. Listening to your own explanations later can help identify any areas that need further revision.

A student found it difficult to grasp profitability ratios like gross and net profit margins. By explaining these concepts to a classmate and applying them to real company reports, they gained confidence and improved their ability to analyse financial performance.

Tactic 5: Plan a Realistic Study Schedule

How can a structured timetable make revision more effective?

A study plan ensures you cover all topics well before the exam, reducing last-minute stress and improving retention.

• Divide your study time into focused blocks for different subjects or topics.

• Mix up your study methods: switch between writing notes, answering practice questions, and using visual resources.

• Prioritise difficult topics but regularly review those you are already confident in.

A student who struggled with balancing business concepts across different topics created a study schedule covering one key area per week, such as marketing strategies or external economic influences. This structured approach helped them revise effectively and feel confident ahead of the exam. Save My Exams has this selection of useful tips to help you create a study schedule.

Tactic 6: Master Business Calculations

Why are numerical skills important in IGCSE Business?

Business calculations are a crucial part of the exam, and many students lose marks due to simple calculation errors.

• Get comfortable with key formulas, such as:

  • Break-even point

  • Gross and net profit margin

  • Return on capital employed (ROCE)

  • Exchange rate conversions

• Practise applying these calculations to different business scenarios so that they become second nature.

One student found exchange rate conversions and break-even calculations difficult. By practising past paper questions and using structured revision guides, they became more accurate and confident in applying numerical skills in the exam.

Tactic 7: Develop Case Study Analysis Skills

How can case studies enhance your exam performance?

Many IGCSE Business questions are based on case studies. To excel, you must practice:

• Extracting key information quickly.

• Applying business concepts directly to the case study context.

• Writing concise yet detailed answers, showing evaluation skills.

A student preparing for a question on multinational corporations summarised a case study on a global retailer into key points about economies of scale, supply chain management, and international marketing strategies. This method helped them quickly recall relevant details in the exam.

Tactic 8: Keep Up with Business News

Why is staying informed about business trends helpful?

Real-world business examples strengthen exam answers. Following business news:

• Provides relevant examples for essay-style questions.

• Helps develop a broader understanding of economic and business trends.

A student used Tesla’s expansion into new markets as an example in an exam question on business growth strategies. Their ability to apply current real-world examples strengthened their evaluation and earned high marks.

Tactic 9: Know your exam board

Whether your exam board is Edexcel, CIE or Oxford, knowing which exam you will be taking is incredibly important. Before you start to revise, read your exam board’s specification. 

A specification is an important document that lists all of the content in your IGCSE Business Studies course, breaking it down into key topics. From here, you can decide which content you should start to revise first.

Use a range of tactics

Success in IGCSE Business depends on a combination of knowledge, exam skills, and effective study habits. Using a range of techniques, including visual learning, past paper practice, and structured revision plans will give you the best chance of achieving a high grade.

By applying these strategies consistently, you’ll strengthen your understanding and be well-prepared to tackle any exam question that comes your way.

Good luck with your revision!

Improve Your Grades with Save My Exams

Save My Exams offers a range of resources to help you excel in IGCSE Business, including revision notes, past papers, and exam-style questions. These materials are aligned with the specific exam boards, providing targeted support for different topics like marketing, finance, and operations. 

Revision notes break down complex concepts into manageable sections, while past papers allow you to practice under timed conditions. Additional exam-style questions can familiarise you with the types of questions you might face.

Explore Our IGCSE Business Studies Revision Resources

References

Pomodoro Technique

https://journals.sagepub.com/stoken/rbtfl/Z10jaVH/60XQM/full