Working capital: past paper questions
Real questions on working capital
The newest 15 of 15 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9609/13 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[3]
Explain one reason why working capital is important to a business.
See it on the paper → - 9609/23 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(ii)[3]
Explain the term working capital.
See it on the paper → - 9609/32 · February/March 2025 · Q2[8]
Analyse two methods to improve IPA’s liquidity.
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · May/June 2024 · Q5b[12]
Evaluate whether working capital is the most important source of finance for a start-up furniture manufacturer. OR
See it on the paper → - 9609/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(ii)[3]
Explain the term working capital.
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · May/June 2023 · Q5b[12]
Evaluate whether the most likely reason for the failure of a small retailer is poor management of its working capital. OR
See it on the paper → - 9609/32 · May/June 2023 · Q3a[1]
Refer to Table 1.1. Calculate, for 2023, the current ratio.
See it on the paper → - 9609/22 · October/November 2022 · Q2b(i)[3]
Refer to Table 2.1. Calculate the change in CC’s working capital between 2021 and 2022.
See it on the paper → - 9609/23 · May/June 2022 · Q1c[8]
Analyse one advantage and one disadvantage to Su of using working capital as a source of finance for the new café.
See it on the paper → - 9609/22 · February/March 2022 · Q1b(i)[3]
Refer to Table 1.1. Calculate the acid test ratio for RR.
See it on the paper → - 9609/22 · February/March 2022 · Q1b(ii)[3]
Explain one method Rehana may use to improve liquidity. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · May/June 2021 · Q3[5]
Explain the importance of working capital to a new business.
See it on the paper → - 9609/12 · February/March 2021 · Q3[5]
Explain the effects on a business of having a high level of working capital.
See it on the paper → - 9609/21 · October/November 2019 · Q2b(i)[2]
Refer to Table 2.1 and any other relevant information. Calculate the value of X.
See it on the paper → - 9609/21 · October/November 2019 · Q2b(ii)[4]
Explain two possible disadvantages to FF of decreasing working capital.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Knowledge provides the basis for demonstrating higher level skills so it is essential that students can accurately explain and apply terms that appear in the syllabus such as liquidity. Many candidates had only a partial understanding of the term and some thought it was about profit. Better answers defined liquidity as the ability to pay short-term debt or referred to having the working capital ne...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9609/32 Q2 (Cambridge)
This question was challenging for many candidates who had little understanding of the concept ‘working capital’. As a result, these candidates were unable to effectively consider and evaluate the phrase ‘poor management of its working capital’ and instead drifted into a general discussion of management and leadership functions and styles. Better answers recognised that business failure could be ca...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9609/12 Q5(b) (Cambridge)
Refer to Table 1.1. Calculate, for 2023, the current ratio. This question requires candidates to divide current assets by current liabilities, stating their answer as a ratio. There were no method marks available for this question so candidates either scored one mark or zero. The majority of candidates knew the correct formula and accurately calculated the ratio. However, many answers were not ex...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9609/32 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
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