Timing
Paper 1 lasts 90 minutes and has a total of 80 marks. Therefore, you have roughly one minute per mark, so aim to spend a maximum of two minutes on two mark questions, six minutes on six mark questions and so on.
Structure
There are four questions on Paper 1, each with 20 marks. Each of the four questions includes a “mini case study”, with information about a fictional business.
Each of the four questions on Paper 1 is split into 5 parts:
| Question | Marks | Command Word Commonly Used |
| A | 2 | Define |
| B | 2 | Identify |
| C | 4 | Outline |
| D | 6 | Explain |
| E | 6 | Justify |
| Total | 20 |
Exam Strategy
Many of the questions only require brief answers to secure all the marks. Keep your answers clear and concise to allow more time for the more challenging questions.
Paper 1 usually has at least one short calculation question. Calculation questions can be very time-consuming for some students. Be careful not to go over your time limit for this question. You can always return to finish the calculation question if you have additional time when you finish all the other questions on the exam.
