Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
BUSINESS 9609/12
BUSINESS 9609/12
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 February/March 2026
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 February/March 2026
MARK SCHEME
1 hour 15 minutes
Maximum Mark: 40
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer five questions in total:
Section A: answer all questions.
Section B: answer one question. This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, 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
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
INFORMATION Teachers.
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (WW) 359320/1 This document consists of 28 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Generic Marking Principles
Section A
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
Answer all questions. 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.
1 (a) Define the term public sector. [2]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
(b) Explain one key element of a business plan. [3] Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
2 (a) Define the term channel of distribution. [2] • 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.
(b) Explain one stage of the product life cycle. [3] GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
3 (a) Define the term JIC (Just in Case). [2]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
(b) Explain one method of improving capacity utilisation. [3] Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
4 Analyse one reason an employee might be motivated by status. [5] 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
Section B • 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.
Answer one question only.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Either
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
5 (a) Analyse two reasons why a lack of finance may lead to business failure. [8] descriptors.
(b) Evaluate whether using internal sources of finance is the most appropriate way to fund the
growth of a pharmaceutical business. [12]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 28
Or
6 (a) Analyse two disadvantages to a potential franchisee of buying into a franchise. [8]
(b) Evaluate whether owners are the most important stakeholders in a private school. [12]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/F/M/26
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
3 PUBLISHED
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
BLANK PAGE
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).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
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.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 28
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/F/M/26
BUSINESS 9609/12
BUSINESS 9609/12
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 February/March 2026
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 February/March 2026
MARK SCHEME
1 hour 15 minutes
Maximum Mark: 40
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer five questions in total:
Section A: answer all questions.
Section B: answer one question. This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, 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
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
INFORMATION Teachers.
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (WW) 359320/1 This document consists of 28 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Generic Marking Principles
Section A
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
Answer all questions. 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.
1 (a) Define the term public sector. [2]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
(b) Explain one key element of a business plan. [3] Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
2 (a) Define the term channel of distribution. [2] • 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.
(b) Explain one stage of the product life cycle. [3] GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
3 (a) Define the term JIC (Just in Case). [2]
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
(b) Explain one method of improving capacity utilisation. [3] Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
4 Analyse one reason an employee might be motivated by status. [5] 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
Section B • 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.
Answer one question only.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Either
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
5 (a) Analyse two reasons why a lack of finance may lead to business failure. [8] descriptors.
(b) Evaluate whether using internal sources of finance is the most appropriate way to fund the
growth of a pharmaceutical business. [12]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 28
Or
6 (a) Analyse two disadvantages to a potential franchisee of buying into a franchise. [8]
(b) Evaluate whether owners are the most important stakeholders in a private school. [12]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/F/M/26
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
3 PUBLISHED
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
BLANK PAGE
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).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
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.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 28
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/F/M/26
