0454 · Cambridge IGCSE
0454/11
(Case Study)
Enterprise · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.0 / 5
100
90 min
Risk Assessment and Environmental Influence (PEST)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
100
Duration
90 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
This paper is rated as a 3 out of 5 (Medium).
While the direct recall and computational tasks are highly accessible, the higher-level analysis and evaluation questions require a rigorous application of theoretical concepts to both the case study (Lin and Rachel's fashion store) and the candidate's own coursework project.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge and Understanding
Weight: 4100%Application (AO2)
Weight: 375%Analysis (AO3)
Weight: 250%Evaluation (AO4)
Weight: 125%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 71% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 62% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 54% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 31% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.
Support your choice with specific evidence from data or the scenario given.
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Risk
18 marks this session
Opportunities
17 marks this session
Types of communication
15 marks this session
Legal obligations
12 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Business plans
Risk
Opportunities
Market research
Types of communication
Marketing communications
The enterprise process
Legal obligations
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (Case Study):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Risk
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiOpportunities
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTypes of communication
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiLegal obligations
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
This paper is rated as a 3 out of 5 (Medium).
- 2Message
While the direct recall and computational tasks are highly accessible, the higher-level analysis and evaluation questions require a rigorous application of theoretical concepts to both the case study (Lin and Rachel's fashion store) and the candidate's own coursework project.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Enterprise
This paper is rated as a 3 out of 5 (Medium). While the direct recall and computational tasks are highly accessible, the higher-level analysis and evaluation questions require a rigorous application of theoretical concepts to both the case study (Lin and Rachel's fashion store) a
This paper is rated as a 3 out of 5 (Medium).
While the direct recall and computational tasks are highly accessible, the higher-level analysis and evaluation questions require a rigorous application of theoretical concepts to both the case study (Lin and Rachel's fashion store) and the candidate's own coursework project.
- Total marks
- 100
- Duration
- 90 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
This paper is rated as a 3 out of 5 (Medium). While the direct recall and computational tasks are highly accessible, the higher-level analysis and evaluation questions require a rigorous application of theoretical concepts to both the case study (Lin and Rachel's fashion store) and the candidate's own coursework project.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (Case Study):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
70% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Explain / Describe
(Recall & Application)
31·12·31%
Evaluate
30·2·30%
Justify / Analyse
23·3·23%
State / Define / Identify
10·5·10%
Calculate
6·2·6%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Business plans (Business planning)
90%90%
The concept of trade credit (Finance)
80%80%
Ethical considerations
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict
This paper is rated as a 3 out of 5 (Medium). While the direct recall and computational tasks are highly accessible, the higher-level analysis and evaluation questions require a rigorous application of theoretical concepts to both the case study (Lin and Rachel's fashion store) and the candidate's own coursework project.
Where the Marks Are
The paper distributes marks almost evenly between Section A (50 marks) and Section B (50 marks). In Section A, candidates could secure easy marks on definitions (such as defining a loan), basic calculations (the annual workshop and design costs under Option 2), and identifying research methods. However, the true differentiator lies in Section B, which carries 50 marks split across two 10-mark analysis questions and two 15-mark evaluation essays.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Coursework Disconnection: In questions 1(d), 3(c), 7(a), and 7(b), candidates frequently lose marks by writing generic business answers rather than referring to specific, concrete examples from their own enterprise project.
- Scale Calculations: In calculation question 4(b)(i), a common error is failing to multiply the monthly costs by 12 to find the annual total (producing $1,925 instead of $23,100).
- One-Sided Evaluations: On the 15-mark essay questions (6b and 7b), candidates often limit their responses to a list of advantages, failing to construct a balanced, two-sided argument with a justified final recommendation required for Level 4 marks.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 100
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Short Answer / Recall, Application Structured Questions, Structured Analytical Questions, Evaluative Essay Questions
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.