Cambridge IGCSE

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Accounting 0452

What are grade descriptions? How do I use this resource?

Grade descriptions describe the level of performance typically demonstrated by Grade descriptions are presented as a grid with content areas at
candidates achieving the different grades awarded for a qualification. For Cambridge the start of each row and the different grades at the top of each
IGCSEs, they describe performance at three levels – grades ‘F’, ‘C’ and ‘A’. column.
Grade descriptions sit alongside other key documents that illustrate examination The content areas group together various aspects of the syllabus
standards, including: – they reflect topics, assessment objectives, key concepts,
• the syllabus, which presents what students should be taught over a course of study syllabus aims and components. The way they are organised is
and explains how this is assessed specific to each subject.
• the specimen assessment materials, which illustrate the structure of the assessment For each content area, there is a descriptor for each grade.
and the kinds of tasks that candidates complete Reading across the row from left to right, the descriptors
• grade thresholds, which show the total mark required to achieve a grade. represent increasing levels of performance, with each grade
Grade descriptions are produced with a wide range of audiences in mind. For teachers, descriptor building on, and including, the last.
they support lesson planning and curriculum development, while students may gain useful Each column represents overall performance at a particular
insights into what is required to achieve a high grade and what candidate performance at grade. Reading down the column from top to bottom, the
lower grades typically looks like. For university admissions staff and employers, and those descriptors capture the range of knowledge, understanding and
less familiar with Cambridge, they paint a picture of typical performance at different skills that a candidate ‘comfortably inside the grade’ is likely to
grades. demonstrate.
Cambridge publishes grade descriptions for a qualification once examinations have taken Cambridge produces grade descriptions to support teaching and
place for the first time, and we review them when a qualification is substantially revised. learning and the interpretation of candidate scores and grades.
They are developed by highly experienced examiners who understand performance We do not use them to set grade thresholds. As such, they
standards in the subject area and have studied samples of candidate work. cannot be used to challenge the grade awarded to any individual
candidate.

Version 1, published March 2025

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Accounting 0452 for examination 2023–26 1
Grade descriptions

Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance

understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A

The fundamentals of Students are aware that book-keeping Students show some knowledge of a manual Students have a good knowledge of the
accounting systems exist to record financial data. book-keeping system and the categories of information generated from a book-keeping
information it provides. They can differentiate system. They are able to process the
They know that the records produced will be between the roles of a book-keeper and an categories of information necessary to
used by accountants to provide financial accountant in measuring profit or losses. measure profit or loss accurately.
information such as profit or losses.
They identify and explain the purpose of a They have a broad knowledge of accounting
They distinguish between some assets and limited amount of accounting terminology that terminology and are able to apply the
liabilities. can be expressed by the accounting equation. accounting equation in a practical context.

Sources and recording of Students conduct simple calculations to Students distinguish between and apply Students complete primary documentation
data partially complete primary documentation such discounts and complete primary and post the information more accurately into
as invoices and credit notes. documentation with some accuracy for sales the ledgers, including sales, purchases and
and purchases. operating expenses, with occasional errors.

They may indicate the destination that primary They have a basic knowledge of double entry They understand and are able to explain the
documentation should take within some of the book-keeping and can transfer most purpose of the division of the ledgers from a
books of prime entry but are unable to record information from books of prime entry into control and security perspective.
ledger accounts accurately. ledger accounts and the cash book.

Verification of accounting Students are able to partially construct a trial Students construct a trial balance that may Students are able to produce most control
records balance based on limited knowledge of assets contain some errors and identify a suspense documents with a higher degree of accuracy.
and liabilities. account balance if required.

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Accounting 0452 for examination 2023–26 2
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A
They make some adjustments to cash books, They construct simple reconciliation They explain how the control processes are
but they find constructing reconciliation statements and control accounts that may constructed and the reasons for verifying
statements and control accounts more include some incorrect accounts. accounting records within a business
challenging. environment.

They are aware of the use of the journal as a They can correct most errors accurately
way to correct errors identified within a trial through the journal in order to eliminate
balance, but are less successful in accurately suspense account balances effectively.
correcting errors.

Accounting procedures Students make obvious distinctions between Students identify some differences between Students understand the reasons behind
capital and revenue receipts. capital and revenue receipts. making a range of adjustments to the financial
statements.

They have a rudimentary understanding of They are able to describe the rationale for They calculate adjustments and post them
depreciation but are less confident calculating applying depreciation and will attempt to with few errors into the appropriate ledger
and applying all types of adjustments required. calculate accruals, prepayments and other accounts.
adjustments.

They have a minimal awareness of the impact They record adjustments for depreciation and They appreciate the impact that adjustments
that adjustments have upon financial irrecoverable debts but have limited will make and have the ability to integrate
statements. understanding of how provisions impact upon them substantially into the financial
financial statements. statements.

Preparation of financial Students have limited knowledge of the Students have a broader range of knowledge Students have extensive knowledge of the
statements components required to prepare financial of the components required to prepare components and year-end adjustments
statements for business organisations. financial statements for sole traders and required to prepare financial statements for all
partnerships. types of business organisations.

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Accounting 0452 for examination 2023–26 3
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A
They are able to attempt to prepare basic sole They make attempts at most year-end They have a good understanding of double
trader statements that require minimal adjustments for these organisations. They find entry book-keeping techniques. The ability to
year-end adjustments. financial statements for limited companies, apply these skills forms a strong platform
manufacturing businesses, clubs and necessary to produce financial statements for
societies, and incomplete records challenging. all types of organisations.

Analysis and Students identify one key ratio related to Students identify several key ratios related to Students identify and calculate an extensive
interpretation profitability or asset activity. They will find it profitability, activity and returns on capital range of ratios. This knowledge includes an
difficult to calculate the ratio and interpret it employed. They are able to calculate appreciation of the limitations of financial
accurately. appropriate ratios allowing them to apply basic accounting statements. They can calculate
interpretative techniques to one or more ratios accurately and make detailed analytical
businesses. comments on reasons behind the
performance of up two organisations.

They have a limited understanding of some They have some knowledge of the interested They can recommend realistic courses of
interested parties such as business owners, parties within businesses, clubs and external action based upon interfirm comparison and
managers and club members and their role in organisations and their role in decision describe the impact this may have for relevant
decision-making within an organisation. making. interested parties.

Accounting principles Students have a superficial understanding of Students explain some accounting principles Students have a broader range of knowledge
and policies common accounting principles such as and link them with the accounting policies that of accounting principles and policies applied
‘matching’ and ‘prudence’. They are less all businesses have to apply when producing by business organisations. They apply this
confident applying accounting principles to financial accounting statements. knowledge effectively and accurately when
financial accounting statements. preparing financial accounting statements.
They recognise relevant principles and
policies that need to be applied with a medium They have an appreciation of the impact that
degree of descriptive terminology and international standards have upon the
accuracy. application of accounting policies and
principles for business organisations.

Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Accounting 0452 for examination 2023–26 4
 Area of knowledge, Typical performance Typical performance Typical performance
understanding and skills at grade F at grade C at grade A

Evaluation Students apply one evaluation criterion to Students apply two evaluation criteria to Students apply four or more criteria to source
source material. Advantages and source material. Both advantages and material. Arguments both for and against a
disadvantages of business scenarios may be disadvantages of business scenarios are business scenario are considered and
discussed at a superficial level without a clear considered with emphasis weighted towards developed into a well-balanced evaluation.
justification or recommendation made. one aspect of decision-making or justification The outcome of the process is a reasoned
of a business scenario. recommended course of action.

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Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE Accounting 0452 for examination 2023–26 © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 5