Master the IB Business Management Standard Level exam. Learn paper structures, command terms, marking criteria, and how to score top marks on case studies.
150 teaching hours • 2 external papers • 1 internal assessment
Know exactly what to expect in each paper and how to maximize your marks.
You receive a short pre-released statement (a few paragraphs) that gives the context and background of an organization. On exam day, you get the full unseen case study with detailed data, financials, and scenarios to analyse.
What to expect:
Key Tips
Easy Marks
Watch Out
What to expect:
Key Tips
Easy Marks
Watch Out
Command terms tell you exactly what the examiner expects. Filter by Assessment Objective (AO).
Match your answer depth to the marks available.
Example questions:
One clear point per mark. No application or analysis needed.
Example questions:
Use "this means that..." and refer to the specific business in the stimulus.
Example questions:
Show cause-and-effect chains and consider multiple stakeholder impacts.
Example questions:
Present both sides, consider short-term vs long-term, refer to the business context, and give a justified recommendation.
These concepts appear throughout BM exams. Master them to score higher.
Use SWOT, PEST/STEEPLE, Ansoff Matrix, Boston Matrix, Porter's, and Force Field Analysis. Examiners reward proper application of tools.
Consider how decisions affect different stakeholders: employees, customers, shareholders, community. Show conflicting interests.
Always apply concepts to the specific business in the case study or stimulus. Generic textbook answers score low.
Practice financial calculations: break-even, ratios, investment appraisal. Always show working AND interpret results.
Learn from others' mistakes. These cost students marks every exam session.
Writing generic textbook answers not linked to the business
Reference the organization by name and use specific data from the stimulus
One-sided arguments in evaluate/discuss questions
Show advantages AND disadvantages, then give justified conclusion
Calculating without interpreting
After every calculation, write what it means: "This means the business will break even after selling 500 units"
Ignoring stakeholder perspectives
Mention how the decision affects different groups: employees, shareholders, customers, community
Not managing time on Paper 1
Know the case study so well that you spend exam time answering, not re-reading
Forgetting to give a recommendation when asked
End with a clear recommendation backed by evidence: "I would recommend X because..."
30% of final grade • 2,000 words maximum
A written commentary based on a real business issue or problem. You research an organization, collect primary/secondary data, apply business tools, and make recommendations.
Marking Criteria
Tips for Top Marks
Apply these exam skills with our BM practice questions. Get instant AI feedback that shows exactly what scored marks and how to improve.