Main menu For students For teachers Explore our subjects Student events & courses

Explore

More for students
Sign in

Free Business resources

Simulation

Margin of Error (Budgets & Variances) | Simulation | AQA A-Level Business (2026) | Unit 3.1.4

Level:
A-Level
Board:
AQA

Last updated 2 Jun 2026

Share this content:

A brilliant finance detective story that shows students the story behind adverse and favourable variances.

Simulation link

Play the Margin of Error Simulation here

ABOUT THE SIMULATION

Students investigate The Mayfair Grand Hotel, where owner Margaret Margin faces a £22,000 adverse profit variance. They interview suspects including Henri, Victoria, Stefan, Bernie and Felicity. The gameplay shows that favourable variances are not always good, zero variance can be suspicious, and poor budgeting can create pressure for poor decisions.

Download the Teacher Guide to Margin of Error

Sign in to download

or create a free account

Share this content:

You might also like

Budgeting and Variances | John Lewis & Waitrose Tackle a £19m Adverse Energy Cost Variance

4th December 2022

Understanding Budgets and Variance Analysis | Classroom Poster / Student Handout

Poster / Student Handout

Profit Budgets - AQA/ Edexcel A Level Business Bellwork / Revision Activity

21st November 2017

Profit and Variance Practice Calculations - SAS Case Study

17th May 2015

Variance Analysis

Topic Videos

Budgeting Methods - Incremental Budgeting

Study Notes

Variances - Illustrated Example

Study Notes

Variances - Introduction

Study Notes