Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
BUSINESS 9609/12
BUSINESS 9609/12
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 May/June 2026
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 May/June 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 contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
*
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
INFORMATION scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● The total mark for this paper is 40. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. the standardisation process.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (JP) 360480/1 This document consists of 31 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 May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
Section A
All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
Answer all questions.
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
1 (a) Define the term ‘intrapreneurship’. [2]
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
(b) Explain one reason why business objectives may change over time. [3]
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
2 (a) Define the term ‘work-life balance’. [2]
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
(b) Explain one disadvantage for a business of using off-the-job training. [3] • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
3 (a) Define the term ‘psychographic market segmentation’. [2] • the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically
assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
(b) Explain one disadvantage for a business of market segmentation. [3] 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed
instructions correctly.
4 Analyse one likely impact on a business if it operates over maximum capacity. [5] 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
mind.
Section B
Answer one question only.
Either
5 (a) Analyse two reasons why a lack of accurate cost information may lead to business failure.
[8]
(b) Evaluate the importance of using budgets for the success of a large road
construction project. [12] Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 31
Or
6 (a) Analyse two advantages to a business of satisfying human needs at work. [8]
(b) ‘The only way to stop industrial action in a public sector railway business is to remove trade
union involvement in the workplace.’
Evaluate this view. [12]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/M/J/26
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
BLANK PAGE (for point-based marking)
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills. We give credit where the candidate’s answer
shows relevant knowledge, understanding and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
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)
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the marking but is not required to earn the mark
(except Accounting syllabuses where they indicate negative numbers).
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 31
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/M/J/26
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
4 PUBLISHED
3 Calculation questions:
BLANK PAGE
• 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.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 4 of 31
Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (Cambridge University Press & Assessment) to trace holders, but if any items requiring clearance
have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all acknowledgements are reproduced online in our
Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at after the live
examination series.
Cambridge International Education is the name of our awarding body and a part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is a department of the
University of Cambridge.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/M/J/26
BUSINESS 9609/12
BUSINESS 9609/12
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 May/June 2026
Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 May/June 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 contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
*
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
INFORMATION scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● The total mark for this paper is 40. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. the standardisation process.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (JP) 360480/1 This document consists of 31 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 May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
Section A
All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
Answer all questions.
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
1 (a) Define the term ‘intrapreneurship’. [2]
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
(b) Explain one reason why business objectives may change over time. [3]
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
2 (a) Define the term ‘work-life balance’. [2]
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
(b) Explain one disadvantage for a business of using off-the-job training. [3] • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
3 (a) Define the term ‘psychographic market segmentation’. [2] • the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically
assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
(b) Explain one disadvantage for a business of market segmentation. [3] 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed
instructions correctly.
4 Analyse one likely impact on a business if it operates over maximum capacity. [5] 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
mind.
Section B
Answer one question only.
Either
5 (a) Analyse two reasons why a lack of accurate cost information may lead to business failure.
[8]
(b) Evaluate the importance of using budgets for the success of a large road
construction project. [12] Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 31
Or
6 (a) Analyse two advantages to a business of satisfying human needs at work. [8]
(b) ‘The only way to stop industrial action in a public sector railway business is to remove trade
union involvement in the workplace.’
Evaluate this view. [12]
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/M/J/26
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
BLANK PAGE (for point-based marking)
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills. We give credit where the candidate’s answer
shows relevant knowledge, understanding and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
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)
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the marking but is not required to earn the mark
(except Accounting syllabuses where they indicate negative numbers).
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 31
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/M/J/26
, 9609/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
4 PUBLISHED
3 Calculation questions:
BLANK PAGE
• 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.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 4 of 31
Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (Cambridge University Press & Assessment) to trace holders, but if any items requiring clearance
have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all acknowledgements are reproduced online in our
Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at after the live
examination series.
Cambridge International Education is the name of our awarding body and a part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is a department of the
University of Cambridge.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9609/12/M/J/26
