AQASpec 3.6Foundation & Higher~35 min

Finance

Business · Topic revision workspace

Topic progress0%

Read the notes, score 80% and know 75% of the cards.

Topic overview

What you need to know

Finance measures performance and supports decisions through cash flow, sources of finance, revenue, costs, profit, break-even and financial ratios.

Exam tip

Show the formula, substitute values and interpret the result for the named business.

Revision notes

Core ideas

Secure these ideas first. Say each definition in your own words, then connect it to the topic overview.

  • Cash flow: Money entering and leaving a business over time.
  • Fixed cost: A cost that does not change directly with output in the short run.
  • Variable cost: A cost that changes as output changes.

Revision notes

Apply it in the exam

The exam will rarely ask for an isolated definition. Practise selecting the right idea and using it as part of a complete explanation or method.

  • Break-even: The output or sales level at which total revenue equals total cost.
  • Gross profit: Sales revenue minus cost of sales.
  • Net cash flow: Total cash inflows minus total cash outflows during a period.

Core knowledge

Key facts for Finance

1

Cash flow

Money entering and leaving a business over time.

2

Fixed cost

A cost that does not change directly with output in the short run.

3

Variable cost

A cost that changes as output changes.

4

Break-even

The output or sales level at which total revenue equals total cost.

5

Gross profit

Sales revenue minus cost of sales.

6

Net cash flow

Total cash inflows minus total cash outflows during a period.

Active recall

Close the notes and answer these

  1. 1.Without looking, explain cash flow and give one example or consequence.
  2. 2.Without looking, explain fixed cost and give one example or consequence.
  3. 3.Without looking, explain variable cost and give one example or consequence.
  4. 4.Without looking, explain break-even and give one example or consequence.

Content reviewed 23 July 2026 against the current linked specification.

Finished learning?

Mark the notes complete, then test what you can recall.