Operations management (AS Level): past paper questions
Real questions on operations management (as level)
The newest 20 of 236 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9609/11 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[2]
Define the term ‘buffer inventory’.
See it on the paper → - 9609/11 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[3]
Explain one advantage to a business of labour intensive operations.
See it on the paper → - 9609/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[8]
Analyse two advantages to a business of using job production.
See it on the paper → - 9609/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[12]
‘Mass customisation has an important impact on the success of a sports footwear manufacturer.’ Evaluate this view. Or
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · May/June 2026 · Q4[5]
Analyse one likely impact on a business if it operates over maximum capacity. Section B Answer one question only. Either
See it on the paper → - 9609/21 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[8]
Analyse two benefits to CC of capital intensive operations.
See it on the paper → - 9609/21 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[1]
Identify one feature of JIC (Just in Case) inventory management.
See it on the paper → - 9609/22 · May/June 2026 · Q2d[12]
Evaluate the importance of improved Supply Chain Management to ZF’s future success.
See it on the paper → - 9609/23 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(i)[3]
Refer to Table 2.1 and other information. Calculate LC’s capacity utilisation in 2025.
See it on the paper → - 9609/23 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(ii)[3]
Explain one benefit to LC of operating under maximum capacity.
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · February/March 2026 · Q3a[2]
Define the term JIC (Just in Case).
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · February/March 2026 · Q3b[3]
Explain one method of improving capacity utilisation.
See it on the paper → - 9609/22 · February/March 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
Identify one limitation to a business of labour-intensive operations.
See it on the paper → - 9609/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
Define the term labour productivity.
See it on the paper → - 9609/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[3]
Explain one way that a business can improve labour productivity.
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · October/November 2025 · Q4[5]
Analyse one reason why a business might hold low levels of inventory. Section B Answer one question only. EITHER
See it on the paper → - 9609/13 · October/November 2025 · Q4[5]
Analyse one impact on a business of outsourcing. Section B Answer one question only. EITHER
See it on the paper → - 9609/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[12]
Evaluate whether outsourcing is the most suitable way to increase NN’s production capacity.
See it on the paper → - 9609/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(i)[1]
Identify one stage of the transformational process.
See it on the paper → - 9609/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[3]
Explain the term outsourcing.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates were asked to analyse two limitations to a business of capital- intensive operations. Strong answers cited limitations such as high initial investment costs, high continuing maintenance costs and technological dependence. This was a more popular question than Question 6(a) and most limitations were soundly applied and the analysis was well developed.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9609/12 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
This question, as with Question 1(d), requires a judgement and the wording of the question led more candidates into doing this. However, as with Question 1(d), too few candidates gave enough evaluation to fully answer the question. Candidates generally had a good understanding of Just in Time (JIT) and could argue the benefits and/or the costs to RCR of introducing it. However, judgements were o...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9609/22 Q2(d) (Cambridge)
Most candidates understood that their answers should be placed in the nodes on the network diagram in the answer booklet. Many candidates gained two marks by correctly identifying the latest finish time of Activity D and the earliest start time of Activity G. A few candidates added a new node linked to Activity G – this was unnecessary. There were a significant minority of candidates who did not u...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9609/32 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.