What comes up in Leaving Cert Business
We read every question of every Business paper from 2017 to 2026 and noted the topics each one needs. Here is the full list, paper by paper and question by question, so you can see exactly where each topic has come up, and so teachers can check the counts printed in our Exam Ready workbooks.
New course. The Leaving Cert class of 2027 is the first to sit the new Business specification (first examined in June 2027). These tables count the old-syllabus papers, 2017 to 2026: a good guide to which topics come up, but not to the new paper's format.
How we count. A topic counts for a question when at least one of its parts can't be answered without it. One question often needs two or three topics.
Every question printed. We count all the questions on the paper, including the ones students could choose to skip.
The years. There were no written exams in 2020: grades were calculated instead. The 2021 and 2022 papers had extra choice because of the pandemic.
A guide, not a prediction. The papers are set fresh each year. Use this to plan revision, not to skip topics.
Higher Level (old syllabus): questions per topic
Each number is how many of that year's questions needed the topic. 180 questions in all.
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International trade | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 28 |
| Marketing | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 27 |
| Business plan & expansion | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 25 |
| Economy & government | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| Planning, organising & control | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 22 |
| HRM & change | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 22 |
| Forms of business | 2 | 3 | – | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 21 |
| Finance, budgets & tax | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
| The EU | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Employees, law & IR | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 17 |
| Stakeholders | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 16 |
| Enterprise | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
| Communication | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 14 |
| Consumer rights | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | – | 1 | 13 |
| Contract law (old only) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Leading & motivating | – | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Ethics, community & environment | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Accounts & ratios (old only) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Insurance & risk | – | 1 | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
Higher Level (old syllabus), question by question
2026 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 21 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Two features of mass production | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Give full names of management, trade and EU acronymsNote: CEO not assigned a separate topic. | Communication E.D.I.HRM & change T.Q.M.International trade F.D.I.The EU S.E.M. |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Two differences between ad hoc meetings and AGMs | Communication all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Explain privatisation; one benefit for Ireland | Forms of business (i), (ii) |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | True or false on EU institutions and laws | The EU all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Role of interest groups; one group's actionNote: Interest groups filed under Stakeholders. | Stakeholders (i), (ii) |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Choose correct features of business types and alliances | Forms of business (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)Business plan & expansion (v) |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Two factors before locating a business in an areaNote: Location factors filed under Business plan & expansion (start-up issues). | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Match insurance and risk terms to their meanings | Insurance & risk all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Calculate break-even point, profit and margin of safetyNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Business plan & expansion (i), (ii), (iii) |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Contrast organic and inorganic growth with examples | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Two effects of a manager using Theory X | Leading & motivating all |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Café: staff rewards, pricing strategies, management controls and sales promotion | HRM & change AMarketing B(i), B(ii), C(ii)Planning, organising & control C(i) |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Contract elements and terms, stakeholder relationships, CCPC powers | Consumer rights CContract law (old only) AStakeholders B |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Green business traits, economic variables, indigenous firms' challenges | Ethics, community & environment AEconomy & government BForms of business C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | Free trade benefits, invisible exports and ICT, staying in the EUNote: Impact of ICT counted under HRM & change (technology) as well as International trade. | International trade A, BHRM & change B(ii)The EU C |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 1 | Discrimination and dismissal types, good industrial relations, WRC's role | Employees, law & IR A, B, CStakeholders B(ii) |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Meaning and local benefits of enterprise, communication barriers, leadership | Enterprise ACommunication BLeading & motivating C |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | Key HRM functions, business taxes, strategies for managing change | HRM & change A, CFinance, budgets & tax B |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Product life cycle; calculate and compare profitability and liquidity ratios | Marketing AAccounts & ratios (old only) B, C |
| Q8 | 3 · Part 2 | Branding benefits, direct distribution channels, effects of expansion | Marketing A, BBusiness plan & expansion C |
2025 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 21 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Match EU institutions to their roles | The EU all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Define a global business and name two examples | International trade (a), (b) |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Give full names of company, trade, lobby and EU acronyms | Forms of business DACInternational trade MNCStakeholders IBECEmployees, law & IR ICTUThe EU CAP |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Choose correct statements on growth, jobs, interest, tax, currency | Economy & government all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Contrast Capital Gains Tax with Capital Acquisitions Tax | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Two ways to promote ethical business behaviour | Ethics, community & environment all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Explain gearing and calculate the debt/equity ratio | Accounts & ratios (old only) (a), (b) |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Two benefits of a matrix (team) structure for projects | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Explain import substitution and its balance of payments effect | International trade (i), (ii) |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Two factors when picking an advertising medium | Marketing all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Explain inflation and list two causes | Economy & government (a), (b) |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Two ways a Local Enterprise Office helps small firms | Economy & government all |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Ready-meal firm: founder's traits, management controls, HRM functions | Enterprise APlanning, organising & control B(i), B(ii)HRM & change C |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Valid contract elements, types of industrial action, equality law | Contract law (old only) AEmployees, law & IR B, C |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Types of business organisation, rising employment, pro-business climate | Forms of business AEconomy & government B, C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | EU directives versus regulations, global marketing mix, trade barriers | The EU AInternational trade B, CMarketing B |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 1 | Ending contracts, fair dismissal grounds, competitive relationships | Contract law (old only) AEmployees, law & IR BStakeholders C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Choosing a communication medium, SWOT analysis, Theory X management | Communication APlanning, organising & control BLeading & motivating C |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | Hotel insurance cover, managing change, take-home pay calculation | Insurance & risk AHRM & change BFinance, budgets & tax C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Takeovers as expansion, new product stages, medium-term finance | Business plan & expansion AMarketing BFinance, budgets & tax C |
| Q8 | 3 · Part 2 | Product portfolio and segmentation, market research, break-even chartNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Marketing A, BBusiness plan & expansion C |
2024 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 21 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Match ownership and expansion terms to their meanings | Forms of business 1, 2, 3Business plan & expansion 4, 5 |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Give full names of agency, EU, company and trade acronymsNote: CEO not assigned a separate topic; CRO filed under Forms of business. | Economy & government IDAThe EU ECBForms of business CROInternational trade WTO |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Explain community development; one local organisation's service | Ethics, community & environment (i), (ii) |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Choose correct statements about break-even chartsNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Two functions of the European Parliament | The EU all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Contrast an embargo with a quota | International trade all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | True or false identifying types of plans | Planning, organising & control 1, 3, 4, 5Ethics, community & environment 2 |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Contrast two types of management control | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Calculate compensation under average clause; role of assessor | Insurance & risk (i), (ii) |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Three public relations methods with examples | Marketing all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Explain what a Joint Labour Committee does | Employees, law & IR all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Explain teamwork; name the team development stages | HRM & change (i), (ii) |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Nursing homes: entrepreneur traits, contract for land, owner's management skillsNote: Management skills in C split between Leading & motivating and Communication. | Enterprise AContract law (old only) BLeading & motivating CCommunication C |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Breach of contract remedies, Small Claims features, unfair dismissal rules | Consumer rights BContract law (old only) AEmployees, law & IR C |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Growth and interest rates, primary sector trends, business ethics | Economy & government A, BEthics, community & environment C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | Balance of payments sums, why multinationals come, marketing mix and EU policy | International trade A, B, C(i)Marketing C(i)The EU C(ii) |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 1 | Trade disputes and industrial action, lobbying and unions, the CCPCNote: Lobbying counted under Stakeholders (interest groups). | Employees, law & IR A, BStakeholders B(i)Consumer rights C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Why people become entrepreneurs, organisation structures, technology's impact | Enterprise APlanning, organising & control BHRM & change C |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | Cash flow forecast, household versus business tax, insurance principles | Finance, budgets & tax A, BInsurance & risk C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Batch to mass production, sole trader versus company, financial terms | Business plan & expansion AForms of business BAccounts & ratios (old only) C |
| Q8 | 3 · Part 2 | Premium pricing and price factors, advertising, sales promotions | Marketing A, B, C |
2023 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 21 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Define indigenous firm; two challenges it faces | Forms of business (a), (b) |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Give full names of management, finance and lobby acronymsNote: Mixed acronyms spread over five topics. | HRM & change TQMStakeholders ISMEPlanning, organising & control JITCommunication EDIAccounts & ratios (old only) ROI |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Explain invisible exports; calculate trade and payments balances | International trade (a), (b) |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Match EU institutions to their roles | The EU all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Draw a functional structure; one effect of using it | Planning, organising & control (a), (b) |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Contrast penetration pricing with price skimming | Marketing all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Explain liquidity and calculate the acid test ratio | Accounts & ratios (old only) (a), (b) |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Explain national minimum wage and one economic effect | Employees, law & IR (a)Economy & government (b) |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | True or false on PR, global product, production, tax, quality marksNote: Mixed true/false items spread over several topics. | Marketing 1, 2International trade 2Business plan & expansion 3Finance, budgets & tax 4Planning, organising & control 5 |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Two traits or skills of entrepreneurs | Enterprise all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Two rights of individuals under data protection law | Consumer rights all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Two kinds of business meeting; benefits of meetings | Communication (a), (b) |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Housebuilder: long-term finance, going international, effects of economic variables | Finance, budgets & tax AInternational trade BEconomy & government C |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Stakeholder co-operation and competition, consumer statutory rights, contract elements | Stakeholders AConsumer rights BContract law (old only) C |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Nationalisation versus privatisation, changing ownership, green business traits | Forms of business A, BEthics, community & environment C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | Value of EU membership, EU lobby groups, multinationals in Ireland | The EU A, BInternational trade C |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 1 | Collective bargaining and 1990 Act, fair dismissal grounds, WRC services | Employees, law & IR A, B, C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Maslow in practice, Theory Y, enterprise versus management, planning | Leading & motivating A, B, C(i)Enterprise C(i)Planning, organising & control C(ii) |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | Underinsurance and hotel cover, flexible work and rewards, recruitment terms | Insurance & risk AHRM & change B, C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Sources of service ideas, personal tax calculation, employee empowermentNote: Sources of new product ideas filed under Enterprise (idea generation). | Enterprise AFinance, budgets & tax BHRM & change C |
| Q8 | 3 · Part 2 | Niche markets, alliances versus mergers, break-even chartNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Marketing ABusiness plan & expansion B, C |
2022 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 21 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Match economic terms to their meanings | Economy & government all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Give full names of trade and EU acronyms | International trade WTO, FDIThe EU EMU, CAPEconomy & government IDA |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Explain product life cycle; two ways to extend it | Marketing (a), (b) |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Choose correct statements on Maslow and McGregor | Leading & motivating all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Email to staff on customer data rights | Consumer rights allCommunication all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | How the Consumer Price Index measures inflation | Economy & government all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | True or false on meetings and their procedures | Communication all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Explain protectionism; two protectionist measures | International trade (i), (ii) |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Calculate revenue, costs, profit and break-even pointNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Business plan & expansion (a), (b), (c), (d) |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Contrast visible imports with import substitution | International trade all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Two ways to reduce bad debtsNote: Credit control treated as a control activity. | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Work out an employee's annual PAYE | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Pizza chain: managing change, expansion methods, social responsibility to stakeholdersNote: Franchising as an expansion method counted under Forms of business too. | HRM & change ABusiness plan & expansion BForms of business BEthics, community & environment C(i), C(ii)Stakeholders C(i) |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Trade unions and disputes, non-legal dispute resolution, equality law | Employees, law & IR A, B, CStakeholders A(ii) |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Choosing a company type, a pro-business climate, sector trends | Forms of business AEconomy & government B, C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | Global marketing challenges, indigenous exporters, Commission and Parliament roles | International trade A, BForms of business B(i)The EU C |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 1 | Consumer Protection Act, Ombudsman and Small Claims, breach remedies | Consumer rights A, BContract law (old only) C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Leadership styles, stock and quality control, encouraging intrapreneurship | Leading & motivating APlanning, organising & control BEnterprise C |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | HR functions and remote work, risk management, household versus business tax | HRM & change AInsurance & risk BFinance, budgets & tax C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Debt/equity ratio, choosing finance, value of market research | Accounts & ratios (old only) AFinance, budgets & tax BMarketing C |
| Q8 | 3 · Part 2 | Distribution channels, product design factors, types of advertising | Marketing A, B, C |
2021 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 21 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Match expansion terms to their meanings | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Give full names of trade, technology and stock acronymsNote: Mixed acronyms: CAD/CAM as technology (HRM & change), EDI as Communication, JIT as stock control. | International trade WTOHRM & change CAM, CADCommunication EDIPlanning, organising & control JIT |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Define franchising; one benefit as a start-up route | Forms of business (i), (ii) |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Choose correct insurance terms and principles | Insurance & risk all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Name the state agencies matching each description | Economy & government all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Explain invisible imports and effect on balance of payments | International trade (i), (ii) |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Contrast chain of command and span of control | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Calculate return on investment and interpret the change | Accounts & ratios (old only) (i), (ii) |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Enterprise versus management; enterprise example in a school | Enterprise (i), (ii)Leading & motivating (i) |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Role of interest groups in business, with examplesNote: Interest groups filed under Stakeholders. | Stakeholders all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Two reasons multinationals choose Ireland | International trade all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Two arguments for privatisation in Ireland | Forms of business all |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Crèche: types of planning, insurance and tax, price and promotion | Planning, organising & control AInsurance & risk B(i)Finance, budgets & tax B(ii)Marketing C |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Valid contract elements, the CCPC's role, unfair dismissal redress | Consumer rights BContract law (old only) AEmployees, law & IR C |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Economic variables, government and the labour force, community development | Economy & government A, BEthics, community & environment C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | Barriers to trade, globalisation, impact of EU policies | International trade A, BThe EU C |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 1 | Industrial disputes and action, producer relationships, ending contracts | Employees, law & IR AStakeholders BContract law (old only) C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Entrepreneurial skills, communicating with stakeholders, benefits of delegationNote: Delegation filed under Leading & motivating. | Enterprise ACommunication BLeading & motivating C |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | Team development stages, total quality management, employee rewards | HRM & change A, B, C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Sources of product ideas, break-even chart, margin of safety limitsNote: Sources of new product ideas filed under Enterprise (idea generation). Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Enterprise ABusiness plan & expansion B, C |
| Q8 | 3 · Part 2 | Start-up challenges, early product development stages, market segmentation | Business plan & expansion AForms of business AFinance, budgets & tax AMarketing B, C |
2019 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 18 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Match HR and organising terms to their meanings | HRM & change 1, 2, 3, 4Planning, organising & control 5 |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Name three categories of industry with example jobs | Economy & government all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Give full names of tax acronyms | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Pick correct effects of inflation, exchange and interest rates | Economy & government allThe EU (ii) |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Explain national minimum wage and one economic effect | Employees, law & IR (i)Economy & government (ii) |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Two problems from an overly wide span of control | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Read trade infographic; balance of trade; import substitution | International trade all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Define niche market with an example | Marketing all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Co-operation between an entrepreneur and an investor | Stakeholders all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Label break-even chart, profit at forecast, one limitationNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Business plan & expansion (i), (ii), (iii) |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Wedding venue: entrepreneurship, management activities, service obligations under consumer law | Enterprise APlanning, organising & control BConsumer rights C |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Contract elements, industrial dispute causes and procedures, Small Claims | Consumer rights CContract law (old only) AEmployees, law & IR B |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Environmental responsibility, economic variables, why the state backs entrepreneurs | Ethics, community & environment AEconomy & government B, CEnterprise C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | EU institutions' roles, trading within the Eurozone, going global | The EU A, BInternational trade C |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 2 | Effective communication and barriers, Maslow applied, leadership styles | Communication ALeading & motivating B, C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Effects of falling sales, liquidity ratios, short-term finance for start-upsNote: Part A (effects of falling sales) is general; filed under Accounts & ratios. | Accounts & ratios (old only) A, BFinance, budgets & tax C |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | USP and product development stages, strategic alliances, staff appraisal | Marketing ABusiness plan & expansion BHRM & change C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Pricing factors and launch strategy, public relations, packaging design | Marketing A, B, C |
2018 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 18 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Fill gaps on consumer law, redress and the CCPC | Consumer rights all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Effects of moving from functional to matrix structure | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Choose correct statements on mergers, alliances, scale economies | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Match sources of finance to their descriptions | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Read a visible trade chart; explain import substitution | International trade (i), (ii), (iii) |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Complete a costs, revenue and profit tableNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Define working capital; problems when a start-up lacks itNote: Working capital split between Accounts & ratios and Finance. | Accounts & ratios (old only) (a)Finance, budgets & tax (b) |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Explain privatisation and deregulation as government policies | Forms of business allEconomy & government all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | True or false on EU institutions and laws | The EU all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Contrast induction training with staff development | HRM & change all |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Greenway: sector and social benefits, market research, global marketing mixNote: Social benefits of a community amenity filed under Ethics, community & environment. | Economy & government A(i)Ethics, community & environment A(ii)Marketing B, CInternational trade C |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Ending contracts, trade disputes and stakeholders, fair dismissal grounds | Contract law (old only) AEmployees, law & IR B, CStakeholders B |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Credit unions as co-ops, rising employment, Enterprise Ireland's role | Forms of business AEconomy & government B, C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | Multinationals in Ireland, EMU membership, trade barrier terms | International trade A, CThe EU B |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 2 | Contingency and other planning, Maslow and limits, why become entrepreneurNote: Manpower planning counted under HRM & change too. | Planning, organising & control AHRM & change A(ii)Leading & motivating BEnterprise C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | Franchising to expand, insurance advice letter, batch to mass production | Forms of business ABusiness plan & expansion A, CInsurance & risk BCommunication B |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | Recruiting an area manager, retail leadership style, take-home pay sums | HRM & change ALeading & motivating BFinance, budgets & tax C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Product life cycle, segmenting the chocolate market, direct distribution | Marketing A, B, C |
2017 · Higher Level (old syllabus) · 18 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Match contract law terms to their meanings | Contract law (old only) all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Pick correct features of sole traders, PLCs, franchises, co-ops, partnerships | Forms of business all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Give full names of business interest group acronymsNote: Interest groups filed under Stakeholders; ICTU under Employees, law & IR. | Stakeholders IBEC, ISME, IFA, CAIEmployees, law & IR ICTU |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | True or false on business and personal taxes | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Complete missing figures in a quarterly cash flow forecast | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Two ways a firm can reduce bad debtsNote: Credit control treated as a control activity. | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Define a global business and name two examples | International trade (a), (b) |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Label a break-even chart and work out margin of safetyNote: Break-even analysis has no topic of its own; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility). | Business plan & expansion (a), (b) |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Role of the European Commission; other EU decision-making bodies | The EU (a), (b) |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Explain inflation rate and interest rate | Economy & government all |
| ABQ | 2 · ABQ | Cinema: government role, marketing mix changes, facilitator-style festival managementNote: Controller vs facilitator manager filed under HRM & change (changing role of management). | Economy & government AMarketing BHRM & change C(i), C(ii) |
| Q1 | 3 · Part 1 | Stakeholder co-operation, resolving industrial conflict, faulty phone consumer rights | Stakeholders AEmployees, law & IR BConsumer rights C |
| Q2 | 3 · Part 1 | Service sector challenges, codes of ethics, privatisation pros and cons | Economy & government AEthics, community & environment BForms of business C |
| Q3 | 3 · Part 1 | Balance of trade and tariffs, export channels, case for exiting the EUNote: Export distribution channels counted as both International trade and Marketing (place). | International trade A, BMarketing BThe EU C |
| Q4 | 3 · Part 2 | Entrepreneur traits, managers as communicators, data protection report | Enterprise ACommunication B, CConsumer rights C |
| Q5 | 3 · Part 2 | New product development stages, product design factors, business plans | Marketing A, BBusiness plan & expansion C |
| Q6 | 3 · Part 2 | Financial rewards; calculate and interpret ratios; limits of ratios | HRM & change AAccounts & ratios (old only) B, C |
| Q7 | 3 · Part 2 | Niche markets, pricing strategies, choosing a source of finance | Marketing A, BFinance, budgets & tax C |
Ordinary Level (old syllabus): questions per topic
Each number is how many of that year's questions needed the topic. 213 questions in all.
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance, budgets & tax | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 36 |
| Marketing | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 35 |
| Economy & government | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 27 |
| Planning, organising & control | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 25 |
| Business plan & expansion | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 24 |
| Communication | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | 3 | 1 | 22 |
| HRM & change | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 22 |
| Enterprise | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Employees, law & IR | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| International trade | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| Forms of business | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
| The EU | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
| Consumer rights | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| Insurance & risk | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Leading & motivating | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Stakeholders | 1 | 2 | – | – | 1 | 2 | – | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Ethics, community & environment | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| Contract law (old only) | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Accounts & ratios (old only) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | 6 |
Ordinary Level (old syllabus), question by question
2026 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 24 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the abbreviations USP, BIK and USC | Marketing USPHRM & change BIKFinance, budgets & tax USC |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | True/false on strategic, contingency and tactical plans | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Name the other three marketing mix elements | Marketing all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Match roles to EU Parliament, Commission and Council | The EU all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Classify examples as visible or invisible imports and exports | International trade all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Distinguish an intrapreneur from an entrepreneur | Enterprise all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Fill in two missing levels of Maslow's hierarchy | Leading & motivating all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | State the purpose of insurance proposal and claim forms | Insurance & risk all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Complete sentences on matrix structure and span of control | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Classify taxes as direct or indirect | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Two GDPR duties of a data controller | Consumer rights all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Choose correct effects of inflation, employment, interest rates, recession | Economy & government all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Identify stages of the product life cycle | Marketing (i), (ii) |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Calculate the acid test ratio | Accounts & ratios (old only) all |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match stakeholders to descriptions of their roles | Stakeholders all |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Faulty armchair: retailer duty, consumer agency, redress, Small Claims | Consumer rights A, B, C, D, E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Farming sector, factors of production, VAT cut, business ethicsNote: C (VAT cut effects) filed under Economy & government | Economy & government A, B, CEthics, community & environment D, E |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Government spending chart, expenditure types, FDI, US tariffsNote: A (drawing a chart) filed under Communication | Communication AEconomy & government BInternational trade C, D, E |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 1 | Work-to-rule, disputes, car sale contract, frustration, fair dismissal | Employees, law & IR A, B, EContract law (old only) C, D |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Salon software founder: enterprise skills, ideas, rewards, leadership, ICTNote: ICT uses filed under HRM & change (impact of technology), not Communication | Enterprise A, B, CLeading & motivating DHRM & change E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Mobile hairdresser: target market, sole trader, insurance, cash flow | Marketing AForms of business BInsurance & risk CFinance, budgets & tax D, E |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Internal recruitment, commission pay; soft drink branding and PR | HRM & change A, B, CMarketing D, E |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Powered shoe: research, product development, pricing, production, quality | Marketing A, B, CBusiness plan & expansion DPlanning, organising & control E |
| Q9 | 2 · Part 2 | Festivals and community, LEO services; retailer expansion, distribution, finance | Ethics, community & environment AEconomy & government BBusiness plan & expansion CMarketing DFinance, budgets & tax E |
2025 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 24 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the abbreviations EGM, LEO and GDP | Communication EGMEconomy & government LEO, GDP |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Complete the missing factors of productionNote: Factors of production filed under Economy & government | Economy & government all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | True/false on Maslow's needs and McGregor's Theory Y | Leading & motivating all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Label fixed costs, revenue, total costs and break-even on a chartNote: Break-even has no own topic; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility) | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Two benefits of teamwork for an organisation | HRM & change all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Match descriptions to job, batch or mass production | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Match images to sales promotion, personal selling, sponsorship | Marketing all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Complete a sentence on co-operative stakeholder relationships | Stakeholders all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Fill in a matrix organisation structure | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Fill missing figures in a cash flow forecast | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Match explanations to types of plan | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Choose correct terms on credit cards, overdrafts, hire purchase, bad debts | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Explain franchising and name an example | Forms of business all |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Classify examples as visible or invisible exports | International trade all |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match economic terms such as inflation to meanings | Economy & government all |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Ticket pricing complaints: sale of goods rights, redress, Small Claims, CCPC | Consumer rights A, B, C, D, E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Eco hotel: environmental risk, local economy, sectors, fuel taxes, state helpNote: Benefits to local economy/community filed under Ethics, community & environment | Ethics, community & environment A, BEconomy & government C, EFinance, budgets & tax D |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Apple tax ruling, inflation, trade with the EU, EU institutionsNote: B (EU court ruling's effect on economy) filed under Economy & government | International trade AEconomy & government B, CThe EU D, E |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 1 | Nurses' industrial action, stakeholder effects, ending contracts, WRC | Employees, law & IR A, D, EStakeholders BContract law (old only) C |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Make-up founder: risks, rewards, ideas, enterprise, social media, stock | Enterprise A, B, CCommunication DPlanning, organising & control E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Football club AGM: meetings, officer duties, notice, cash flow, finance | Communication A, B, CFinance, budgets & tax D, E |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | New factory jobs: training, rewards, recruitment, pay, net salary | HRM & change A, B, C, DFinance, budgets & tax E |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Chocolate brand: branding, pricing, target market, research, life cycle | Marketing A, B, C, D, E |
| Q9 | 2 · Part 2 | Retail partnership: expansion, SWOT, Enterprise Ireland, business insurance | Business plan & expansion APlanning, organising & control BEconomy & government CInsurance & risk D, E |
2024 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 24 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the abbreviations ATM, DIRT and APR | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Complete sentences on the EU Parliament and Court of Auditors | The EU all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Choose correct terms on structures, span of control, delayering | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Match real business deals to methods of expansion | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Two ways a firm can be more environmentally friendly | Ethics, community & environment all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Identify stages of the product life cycle | Marketing (i), (ii) |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | True/false on costs, break-even and margin of safetyNote: Break-even has no own topic; filed under Business plan & expansion (feasibility) | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Calculate an employee's net annual take-home pay | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Match roles to LEO, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland | Economy & government all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Name the other three parts of a SWOT/SCOT analysis | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Two ways a firm can encourage intrapreneurship | Enterprise all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Match remedies for breach of contract to explanations | Contract law (old only) all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Fill in the stages of team formation | HRM & change all |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Classify statements as public or private limited company | Forms of business all |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match types of plan to their explanations | Planning, organising & control all |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Faulty smartwatch rights and redress; work-to-rule and trade unions | Consumer rights A, BEmployees, law & IR C, D, E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Butter co-op: economic sectors, taxes, corporation tax, unemployment | Economy & government A, B, D(ii), EForms of business CFinance, budgets & tax D(i) |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Balance of payments, trade benefits, barriers, global businesses | International trade A, B, C, D, E |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 1 | Unfair dismissal, dispute resolution, consumer protection, contract elements | Employees, law & IR A, BConsumer rights C, DContract law (old only) E |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Games developer: enterprise, Maslow, democratic leaders, teams, GDPR | Enterprise ALeading & motivating B, CHRM & change DConsumer rights E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Banking apps, household insurance and principles, mortgages | Finance, budgets & tax A, D, EInsurance & risk B, C |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Staff retention: rewards, HR functions, job descriptions, technology, empowerment | HRM & change A, B, C, D, E |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Supermarket: mass production, wholesalers, own brands, promotions, sponsorship | Business plan & expansion AMarketing B, C, D, E |
| Q9 | 2 · Part 2 | Crisp maker: idea generation, research, packaging, expansion, long-term finance | Marketing A, B, CBusiness plan & expansion DFinance, budgets & tax E |
2023 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 24 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the abbreviations VAT, ECB and DIRT | Finance, budgets & tax VAT, DIRTThe EU ECB |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Classify manager actions as controller or facilitator styleNote: Controller/facilitator filed under HRM & change (changing role of management) | HRM & change all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Two reasons why a business expands | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | True/false on features of business ownership forms | Forms of business all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Fill in two missing levels of Maslow's hierarchy | Leading & motivating all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Explain USP and give a product example | Marketing (i), (ii) |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Fill in missing steps of recruitment and selection | HRM & change all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Choose correct terms on industrial action, claims and interest groups | Employees, law & IR (i), (ii), (iii)Stakeholders (iv) |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Match product images to pricing strategies | Marketing all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Write a staff memo about changing passwords | Communication all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Match statements to EU policies | The EU all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Match roles to LEO, Fáilte Ireland and IDA | Economy & government all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Complete the missing factors of productionNote: Factors of production filed under Economy & government | Economy & government all |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Complete and read a guesthouse cash flow forecast | Finance, budgets & tax (i), (ii), (iii) |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match sources of finance to their descriptions | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Unfair dismissal, WRC, stakeholders, co-operation, ending contracts | Employees, law & IR A, BStakeholders C, DContract law (old only) E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Multinationals, government incentives, employment, inflation, business ethicsNote: B (incentives for MNCs) filed under Economy & government | International trade AEconomy & government B, C, DEthics, community & environment E |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Export markets, trade barriers, balance of payments, EU membership | International trade A, B, CThe EU D, E |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 1 | Credit note refund rights, consumer agency; unions and industrial action | Consumer rights A, BEmployees, law & IR C, D, E |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Online sweet shop: enterprise, stock control, leadership, delegation, ICTNote: Delegation filed under Leading & motivating; ICT uses filed under HRM & change (impact of technology), not Communication | Enterprise APlanning, organising & control BLeading & motivating C, DHRM & change E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Golf club AGM: meeting terms, officer duties, loan, insurance | Communication A, BFinance, budgets & tax CInsurance & risk D, E |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Payroll worker: net salary, PAYE, recruitment, commission, rewards | Finance, budgets & tax A, BHRM & change C, D, E |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Coffee chain: loyalty schemes, social media ads, pricing, franchise, plan | Marketing A, B, CForms of business DBusiness plan & expansion E |
| Q9 | 2 · Part 2 | Sportswear start-up: ideas, research, batch production, product developmentNote: E (start-up challenges) filed under Business plan & expansion | Enterprise AMarketing B, DBusiness plan & expansion C, E |
2022 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 24 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the abbreviations PLC, CEO and ICTNote: CEO not tied to a topic | Forms of business PLCCommunication ICT |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Classify pictured businesses by category of industry | Economy & government all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Match statements to McGregor's Theory X or Theory Y | Leading & motivating all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Link chocolate maker examples to factors of productionNote: Factors of production filed under Economy & government | Economy & government all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Complete a functional organisation chart | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Name two EU institutions | The EU all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Choose correct facts about forms of business ownership | Forms of business all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Complete definitions of tactical and contingency plans | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Distinguish a takeover from a merger | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Calculate the acid test ratio | Accounts & ratios (old only) all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Match explanations to barriers to trade | International trade all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | True/false on insurance premiums, actuaries and indemnity | Insurance & risk all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Name the other three marketing mix elements | Marketing all |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Identify production methods for given products | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match economic terms such as inflation to meanings | Economy & government all |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Torn jersey: consumer law, Small Claims; gender discrimination, disputes | Consumer rights A, B, CEmployees, law & IR D, E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Corporation tax, government role, supermarket ethics and communityNote: A split: tax definition Finance, policy impact Economy | Finance, budgets & tax A(i)Economy & government A(ii), BEthics, community & environment C, D, E |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Imports, balance of trade, trade challenges, EU membership benefits | International trade A, B, C, DThe EU E |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 1 | Factory fire stakeholders, interest groups, contracts, CCPC | Stakeholders A, BConsumer rights EContract law (old only) C, D |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Sustainable clothing founders: enterprise, quality control, social media, SWOT | Enterprise A, BPlanning, organising & control C, ECommunication D |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Dog groomer: medium-term finance, insurance, profit chart, ICTNote: ICT uses filed under HRM & change (impact of technology), not Communication | Finance, budgets & tax AInsurance & risk B, CCommunication DHRM & change E |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Insurance sales agent: training, teams, commission pay, recruitmentNote: E (employer/employee relations as HR task) filed under HRM | HRM & change A, B, C(i), D, EFinance, budgets & tax C(ii) |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Christening gown maker: sole trader, ideas, business plan, USP, LEO | Forms of business AEnterprise BBusiness plan & expansion CMarketing DEconomy & government E |
| Q9 | 2 · Part 2 | Cereal brand: life cycle, research, target market, PR, advertising | Marketing A, B, C, D, E |
2021 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 24 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the banking abbreviations PIN, ATM and APR | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | True/false on chairperson, secretary and quorum at meetings | Communication all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Complete a sentence on market segmentation | Marketing all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Match product examples to sources of business ideas | Enterprise all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Put the steps of the control process in order | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Two lawful reasons for dismissing an employee | Employees, law & IR all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Match descriptions to EU institutions | The EU all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Calculate an employee's net annual take-home pay | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Two benefits of teamwork for an organisation | HRM & change all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Identify the body offering industrial relations mediation | Employees, law & IR all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Work out gross and net profit percentages | Accounts & ratios (old only) (i), (ii) |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Match ICT and data protection terms to meanings | Communication 1, 2, 5Consumer rights 3, 4 |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Complete the missing factors of productionNote: Factors of production filed under Economy & government | Economy & government all |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Classify business situations using a SWOT analysis | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Choose correct terms on TQM, empowerment and CAD | HRM & change all |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | CCPC, sale of goods rights and redress; unions and strikes | Consumer rights A, B, CEmployees, law & IR D, E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Burger bar franchising; economic sectors; hospitality VAT cutNote: E (VAT cut effects) filed under Economy & government | Forms of business A, B, CEconomy & government D, E |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Balance of payments, trade barriers, multinationals relocating after BrexitNote: E (Brexit relocation) not also tagged The EU | International trade A, B, C, D, E |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 1 | Trade union benefits, disputes, shop stewards, unlawful job advert | Employees, law & IR A, B, C, D, E |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Grocery app founders: enterprise, ICT, motivation, Maslow, leadershipNote: ICT uses filed under HRM & change (impact of technology), not Communication | Enterprise AHRM & change BLeading & motivating C, D, E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Hotel redundancies: rewards, HR functions, redundancy pay, motor insuranceNote: C (redundancy calculation) filed under HRM | HRM & change A, B, CInsurance & risk D, E |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Golf club: cash flow forecast, meetings, long-term finance, business plan | Finance, budgets & tax A, B, DCommunication CBusiness plan & expansion E |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Chocolate maker: product development, field research, production, packaging | Marketing A, B, D, EBusiness plan & expansion C |
| Q9 | 2 · Part 2 | Hardware store: branding, pricing, sales promotion, expansion, mergers | Marketing A, B, CBusiness plan & expansion D, E |
2019 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 23 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the meeting abbreviations AGM, AOB and EGM | Communication all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Match two products to premium and penetration pricing | Marketing (i), (ii) |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Complete a sentence on the duty of full disclosure | Insurance & risk all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Two advantages of the euro for Irish consumers | The EU all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Draft a memo warning managers about GDPR finesNote: Memo task; GDPR only the subject matter | Communication all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Choose correct terms about contract formation | Contract law (old only) all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Explain corporation tax and VAT | Finance, budgets & tax (i), (ii) |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Match statements to autocratic, democratic or laissez-faire leaders | Leading & motivating all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Complete a manufacturer-to-consumer distribution channel | Marketing all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Two reasons for an entrepreneur to write a business plan | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Calculate the current ratio from given figures | Accounts & ratios (old only) all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Place car models on the product life cycle | Marketing all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | True/false on idea generation and product development stages | Marketing all |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Choose suitable communication methods for three workplace situations | Communication (i), (ii), (iii) |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match privatisation, indigenous firms and economic sectors to meanings | Forms of business 1, 2Economy & government 3, 4, 5 |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Faulty dress: sale of goods, redress, Small Claims; discrimination, disputes | Consumer rights A, B, CEmployees, law & IR D, E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Graph government spending; benefits for business; multinationalsNote: A (drawing a chart) filed under Communication | Communication AEconomy & government B, CInternational trade D, E |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Imports, exports, balance of payments, EU trading partners, tariffs | International trade A, B, C, D, E(ii)The EU E(i) |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 2 | Toy retailer: enterprise skills, start-up risks, plans, stock, structureNote: B (risks of starting up) filed under Enterprise | Enterprise A, BPlanning, organising & control C, D, E |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Retail staff: training, benefit-in-kind, gross pay, net salaryNote: D (gross pay) filed under HRM; E (deductions) under Finance | HRM & change A, B, C, DFinance, budgets & tax E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Ice cream bar: idea sources, market research, pricing, SWOT, environment | Enterprise AMarketing B, CPlanning, organising & control DEthics, community & environment E |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Eco cutlery firm: sole trader, batch production, finance, expansion, merger | Forms of business ABusiness plan & expansion B, D, EFinance, budgets & tax C |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Retailers: sponsorship, sales promotions, advertising, franchising | Marketing A, B, CForms of business D, E |
2018 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 23 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand the abbreviations DIRT, PIN and PAYE | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | Classify examples as intrapreneurship or entrepreneurship | Enterprise all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Define privatisation using a former state firm | Forms of business all |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Complete definitions of a merger and a strategic alliance | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Fill in the missing parts of a SWOT analysis | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Calculate an employee's net annual take-home pay | Finance, budgets & tax all |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | True/false on tax, span of control, interest groups, unionsNote: Mixed statements across four topics | Finance, budgets & tax statement 1Planning, organising & control statement 2Stakeholders statement 3Employees, law & IR statement 4 |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Name two official forms of industrial action | Employees, law & IR all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Write a memo to managers about data security | Communication all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Describe a multinational company with an example | International trade all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Explain agenda and minutes of a meeting | Communication all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Name the three other factors of productionNote: Factors of production filed under Economy & government | Economy & government all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Identify public relations methods from examples | Marketing all |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | Classify company statements by type of plan | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match international trade terms to their meanings | International trade allThe EU Regulation |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Stakeholder relationships, faulty goods, Small Claims, discrimination grounds | Stakeholders A, BConsumer rights C, DEmployees, law & IR E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Builder: economic sectors, local benefits, MNCs, ethics, limited liabilityNote: Benefits to local economy/community filed under Ethics, community & environment | Economy & government AEthics, community & environment B, DInternational trade CForms of business E |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Balance of payments, exports, EU trade, exporting to China | International trade A, B, C, EThe EU D |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 2 | Healthy food start-up: enterprise, communication, leadership, Maslow, stock | Enterprise ACommunication BLeading & motivating C, DPlanning, organising & control E |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Motor insurance terms and principles; job advert terms and teamwork | Insurance & risk A, B, CHRM & change D, E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Digital marketing service: advertising, research, liquidity ratios, promotionsNote: D (business expenses) filed under Accounts & ratios | Marketing A, B, EAccounts & ratios (old only) C, D |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Product life cycle, packaging, target market, distribution, test marketing | Marketing A, B, C, D, E |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | LEO start-ups: ownership forms, business plan, finance, job production | Forms of business ABusiness plan & expansion B, D, EFinance, budgets & tax C |
2017 · Ordinary Level (old syllabus) · 23 questions
| Q | Section | What it asks (our summary) | Topics, with the parts that need them |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1-1 | 1 · Short | Expand three abbreviations: USC, CEO and SWOTNote: CEO not tied to a topic | Finance, budgets & tax USCPlanning, organising & control SWOT |
| S1-2 | 1 · Short | List the elements of a legally valid contract | Contract law (old only) all |
| S1-3 | 1 · Short | Identify communication methods in a chart and a memo | Communication (i), (ii) |
| S1-4 | 1 · Short | Name the remaining marketing mix elements | Marketing all |
| S1-5 | 1 · Short | Business uses of word processing and spreadsheet softwareNote: Software uses filed under Communication | Communication (i), (ii) |
| S1-6 | 1 · Short | Work out gross and net profit percentages | Accounts & ratios (old only) (i), (ii) |
| S1-7 | 1 · Short | Fill the gaps in a definition of intrapreneurship | Enterprise all |
| S1-8 | 1 · Short | Grounds of discrimination banned by equality law | Employees, law & IR all |
| S1-9 | 1 · Short | Two advantages of quality control | Planning, organising & control all |
| S1-10 | 1 · Short | Match real deals to merger, takeover, franchise or allianceNote: Franchise here treated as an expansion method | Business plan & expansion all |
| S1-11 | 1 · Short | Pick the term for a union vote on action | Employees, law & IR all |
| S1-12 | 1 · Short | Name two EU institutions | The EU all |
| S1-13 | 1 · Short | Define visible imports and invisible exports | International trade (i), (ii) |
| S1-14 | 1 · Short | True/false on insurance principles and business taxes | Insurance & risk statements 1,4,5Finance, budgets & tax statements 2,3 |
| S1-15 | 1 · Short | Match stakeholders to descriptions of their roles | Stakeholders all |
| Q1 | 2 · Part 1 | Consumer Protection Act provisions; trade unions and industrial disputes | Consumer rights A, BEmployees, law & IR C, D, E |
| Q2 | 2 · Part 1 | Tourism sector, local community benefits and VAT on tourismNote: E (VAT rate effects) filed under Economy & government | Economy & government A, B, EEthics, community & environment CFinance, budgets & tax D |
| Q3 | 2 · Part 1 | Brexit: EU membership, trade barriers and global business | The EU A, CInternational trade B, D, E |
| Q4 | 2 · Part 2 | Sports travel firm: entrepreneurship, planning, delegation and AGM documentsNote: Delegation filed under Leading & motivating | Enterprise APlanning, organising & control BLeading & motivating CCommunication D, E |
| Q5 | 2 · Part 2 | Restaurant cash flow, medium-term finance, current account and insurance | Finance, budgets & tax A, B, C, DInsurance & risk E |
| Q6 | 2 · Part 2 | Study app: product development stages, ideas, job description, rewards | Marketing AEnterprise BHRM & change C, D, E |
| Q7 | 2 · Part 2 | Knitwear brand: branding, life cycle, online selling, research, ICTNote: ICT uses filed under HRM & change (impact of technology), not Communication | Marketing A, B, C, DHRM & change E |
| Q8 | 2 · Part 2 | Coffee partnership: liability, production methods, distribution, promotions | Forms of business ABusiness plan & expansion BEnterprise CMarketing D, E |
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