6.1 - Topic Overview

Overview

Chapter 6.1 will focus on Papers 1 and 2 for the SL and HL External Assessment Paper 1 will be common for SL and HL. The structure of paper 2 for both levels will be similar, but HL students can expect to be assessed on a wider range of topics.

SL/HL Paper 1

Part of Paper 1 will be given in the form of apre-released statementThis statement is deliberately broad in scope.

SL/HL Paper 1 Preparation Guidance

A useful way to begin is to re-read thepre-released statement. While defining terms which are not in theBusiness Management Guide.

It would be sensible to also research some organizations that are already operating in the industry or market that is the focus of the pre-released statement.

A SWOTorSTEEPLE analysis of these organizations could be a really good starting point into understanding the pre-released statement for Paper 1.

For Paper 1

It is expected of students to spend only 5 hours on the preparation of Paper 1.

The final examinations answers must be in context to the case-study paper and industry or market that it focuses on.

It is extremely important that there should be no prepared answers and your responses must be applied to the business in thestimulus material

For Paper 2

Students will receive an examination booklet where they can read the questions, and will write their answers to multiple sets of questions based on short case studies and stimulus material.

Section A of Paper 2 will contain three quantitative questions which will all require a short answer. Section B questions will asses qualitative skills of the student. Like explanations and discussions regarding the case-study.

For both sections the questions will be subdivided into parts. These parts will coverA01 ,A02,A03andA04

A01,A02,A03,A04 Question Information

Assessment Objective questions carry the highest marks. They are more difficult because they require the student to have knowledge ofbusiness contentandbusiness application related to the business within the case study.

One-Sided answers will not score high marks if there is no counter arguments. For an argument to score highly there needs to be arguments in favor and against.

Similarly answers that arenot substantiated will loose marks.

Break even questions are extremely popular for both SL and HL. This is especially true for Paper 2 Section A

For A04 questions it is important to show all of your work, especially for the calculate questions. Even if the final answer is incorrect the student can still receive partial marks for showing the work associated with the question.

6.2 - Topic Overview

External Assessment for guidance for HL paper 3(HL only)

Chapter 6.2 is for HL students only and will focus on Paper 3. SL students are encouraged to read through this material as there is additional information onbusiness leaders,entrepreneurs,social enterprisesandchange agents There is also some guidance on choosing a social enterprise as the subject of the internal assessment.

The IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable International Baccalaureate and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

6.2 The Aims Of The Business Management Course

1 Develop as confident creative and compassionate business leaders, entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs and as change agents.

2 Foster an informed understanding of ethical and sustainable business practices.

3 Explore the connections between individuals, businesses, and society.

4 Engage with decision making as a process and skill.

HL Warning

For paper 3 or HL papers only, Answers that are Too Generic will not score highly. You will not know the content until you are told to begin the examination, so prepared answers will not be possible.

There are 2 main reason for this.

1 There are many Different Needs or Stakeholderswhich could be part of the case study and there are an unlimited amount of challenges

2 the stimulus will also be written to include a multitude of possible future courses of action

The Stimulus Material

The Stimulus Material will comprise a variety of different items, which could be excerpts of emails, memos, social media posts, newspaper articles and so on.

There are three questions which need to be answered:

A01question for 2 marks.

A02question for 17 marks.

A03question for 17 marks.

There are a total of 25 marks for each paper.

6.3 - Topic Overview

Introduction To Internal Assessment Business Management

This introduction give an overview of the internal assessment and highlight the importance of Business Management Guide. It also describe how "business research project" is an internal assessment for both the SL and HL student to take. Students are expected to study for about 20 hours and is provide guidance for planning the business project. There is really no "right" way to approach it but using and following research proposal which provide guidance that can help make a great progress.

The Purpose Of The Business Research Project And Contribution To Your Final Mark

The purpose of this research project allow student to apply their skills, knowledge, and pursue personal interests. It also describe how the internal assessment help meet the requirements for SL and HL students and how the research project help achieve to the final mark.

Guidance On Starting the Business Research Project

A guidance is where the topic being chosen must be connected to the course content and to one life. And where they can indicate one knowledge on the subject and offer an example to the proposal for the business research.

Requirements And Structure Of The Report

This section describe the requirements and the need to select a real issue or problem to help develop research question and write a written report. This report should include introduction, main body, conclusion and have about 1,800 words in totals and should have primary and/or secondary sources.

The Importance Of Collecting Supporting Documents

This importance outlines what is require for a supporting documents that should not be more than 3 years old and can include both video or audio file. It should include primary and secondary sources to support the documents.

Guidance On The Research Process

The research process is where research should be a trial-and-error process where students may research one or two organizations before they make their final research question. Teacher's can help provide milestones and checkpoints or assist them.

The Choice Of An Organization And An Appropriate Business Concept

A choice is the importance of choosing and making decision onto an organization and concept to help understand the subject matter including sustainability or ethics. It is also important to apply one concept and only one concept no more than one.

The Selection Of Appropriate Business Content (Theories) And Tools

A selection is where it is important to select an relevant theories and tools that can help student understand and apply it to the organization that they are studying. It include using tools like a SWOT analysis , STEEPLE analysis , BCG matrix or Ansoff matrix and other to help student.

Revision Strategies - Business Management Content And Chunking

A revision is an strategies in business management content and that revision is an activity where it require effective strategic to obtain information. It also describe the use of chunking, that involves breaking revision process into a short intervals and having a minutes break to allow absorption of marketing theory. This section highlight the importance of asking questions to approach learning and help recall information.

Asking Questions: An Inquiry Approach

An inquiry approach is the need to ask questions such as AO2 and AO3 which also include the need for students to be able to explain and analyze the marketing mix to what extent as an important piece in business management. The need to understand the elements of the marketing mix and be able to evaluate it which require a more in depth analysis. It provide guidance on revising for final stage and using techniques like writing notes or flashcards to help memory and asking necessary questions.

Linking Business Content To Contexts And Concepts

This linking concepts is where linking to different areas of business management practice like market research can benefit in learning and obtaining information which help deepen the knowledge of business content. It also use real-world examples and the importance of understanding business management concepts to enhance knowledge.

The Business Management Toolkit

This business management toolkit is where students are given a chance to review the toolkit and being able to clarity and explain the use of these tools which can help assist them in decision making. This toolkit include SWOT analysis , Ansoff matrix , STEEPLE analysis , Descriptive statistics and other tools for SL and HL students. It also describe HL only tools which include Force field analysis , Hofstede's cultural dimensions and other tools.

6.4 - Topic Overview

Prior knowledge of Descriptive Statistics

Descriptive Statistics will be used in the IB course which aims to show how this knowledge can be applied to business Management as part of an inquiry approach.

Prior Mathematical knowledge for Paper 2

Mean

Mode

Median

Standard Deviation

For Paper 2

Along with these mathematical concepts It is expected of students to learn these Business concepts likeEthical Business,and Sustainable Businesson the preparation of Paper 2.

Graphs for Paper 2

In Paper 2, there are many calculations students should be aware of so to display these results students should use Bar graph Pie Chart and Pictogramand there advantages and disadvantages and when to use.

Sample Questions for Paper 2

Here are some sample questions for you to practices:

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3