TL;DR
Exam format: 1 hr 45 mins | 90 marks | two case-study sections
Official title: Influences of Marketing and Finance on Business Activity
Focus areas: Growing the Business, Marketing Decisions, Financial Decisions
Key skills: Applying theory to case studies, accurate calculations, balanced evaluation
Top tip: Always link your answers to the business in the question for AO2 marks.
Best prep: Practise with exam-style predicted papers 👉 Predicted Paper 2 for 2026
AQA GCSE Business Paper 2 (8132/2) is titled “Influences of Marketing and Finance on Business Activity.”
It makes up 50% of your overall GCSE grade and tests how well you can apply marketing and finance knowledge to real-world business scenarios.
In this guide, we’ll break down the structure of Paper 2, the key content, and how you can maximise your marks in 2026.
1. Know the Structure of Paper 2
Paper 2 lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and is marked out of 90.
It’s split into two case-study sections that test knowledge, application, and analysis.
Section A: Multiple-choice and short-answer questions testing knowledge and context.
Section B: A longer case study with structured questions – including calculations and extended 9-mark recommend questions.
Question types you’ll see:
- Multiple-choice (1 mark each)
- Short “state” or “explain” questions (2–4 marks)
- Calculation questions (show your workings)
- Extended 9-mark recommend questions that require evaluation
2. Revise the Key Content Areas
Paper 2 covers the second half of the AQA GCSE Business specification:
Growing the Business – internal vs external growth, sources of finance, mergers and takeovers.
Making Marketing Decisions – the marketing mix (product, price, promotion, place), and how it can change for different markets.
Making Financial Decisions – understanding revenue, costs, profit, cash flow, break-even analysis and average rate of return.
You’ll need to demonstrate strong knowledge (AO1), apply it to the business context (AO2), and analyse impacts and trade-offs (AO3).
3. Practise the Calculations
Expect at least one finance-based question. Common ones include:
- Revenue = Price × Quantity Sold
- Total Costs = Fixed Costs + Variable Costs
- Profit = Revenue – Costs
- Break-even = Fixed Costs ÷ (Selling Price – Variable Cost per unit)
- Average Rate of Return (ARR)
- Cash flow forecasts
Tips:
- Always show your formula and working.
- Use the correct units (£, %, units).
- Even if your final answer is wrong, you can still gain method marks.
4. Apply to the Case Study for Higher Marks
For top grades (7–9), you must apply your answers to the specific business in the question.
❌ Weak: “Lower prices can increase sales.”
✅ Strong: “If SnackTime Ltd lowers its crisps’ price by 10%, it may attract budget-conscious customers from rival brands like CrispCo, boosting market share.”
The second answer demonstrates application (AO2) and reasoning (AO3).
5. Master the 9-Mark Recommend Questions
These are the highest-mark questions on the paper and require a balanced evaluation.
To score well:
- Explain both options (advantages and disadvantages).
- Apply each point to the business context.
- Analyse short- and long-term impacts.
- End with a clear, justified recommendation backed by evidence.
💡 Structure tip: Use the PEARL method – Point, Explain, Apply, Reject (other option), Link (justification).
If you want a video tutorial on how to answer those 9-markers, you can watch it 👉 here
6. Practise with Realistic Exam Papers
The best way to prepare is to use exam-style papers that mirror AQA’s real structure and difficulty.
Practising under timed conditions improves technique, confidence, and time management.
👉 Get your 2026 Predicted Paper 2 here
Our 2026 Predicted Paper 2 includes a full guided mark scheme and is designed to replicate the exact style of the real exam - so you walk into Paper 2 confident and prepared.
Final Tips for Success
✅ Revise marketing and finance in equal depth.
✅ Learn all formulas and practise calculations regularly.
✅ Always link answers to the business context for AO2 marks.
✅ Show balanced reasoning and justify your recommendations for AO3.
✅ Use connectives like “this means that…” and “as a result…” to show chains of analysis.
With consistent revision and practice, you’ll be ready to master Paper 2: Influences of Marketing and Finance on Business Activity - and secure top marks in 2026.