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Paper 1 Pre-release case study

Aims and overview of the Paper 1 assessment

The Paper 1 examination for May 2022 has been rescheduled for Friday 28th April 2023 (morning session for Exam zones B and C, and afternoon session for Exam zone A). For details of Exam zone, click the link here.

The Paper 1 examination for November 2023 is scheduled for Monday 24th October 2023 (afternoon session). This is the final examination of the Paper 1 in its current format.

Please click the icon below to see the revised timings and weightings that were used for the Paper 1 exams for the M21 to N22 sessions. These adaptations were made by the IB in recognition of the huge challenges that students and teachers faced during the prolonged coronavirus pandemic and school closures.

Revised timings, marks, and weights for IB Business Management exams (May 2021 - Nov 2022)

Revised timings

Assessment component

Current exam time

Amended exam time

SL Paper 1

1 hr 15 mins

1 hr1

SL Paper 2

1 hr 45 mins

1 hr 15 mins2

1 SL candidates answer only one question (not two) from Section A, plus the complusory question in Section B.

2 Section C (CUEGIS essay) has been removed from the May 2022 Paper 2 exam.

Assessment component

Current exam time

Amended exam time

HL Paper 1

2 hr 15 mins

1 hr 15 mins3

HL Paper 2

2 hr 15 mins

1 hr 45 mins4

3 HL students answer two questions from Section A and the compulsory question in Section B. Section C of the examination (including unseen data/information for the PU case study) has been removed for M22.

4 Section C (CUEGIS essay) has also been removed from the M21 - N22 Paper 2 exam.

Revised marks and weightings (SL)

Component

Current

marks

Modified

marks

Current weighting

Modified weighting

Paper 1

40

30

30%

30%

Paper 2

50

30

45%

35%

IA

25

25

25%

35%

Total weighting

100%

100%

Revised marks and weightings (HL)

Component

Current

marks

Modified

marks

Current weighting

Modified weighting

Paper 1

60

40

35%

30%

Paper 2

70

50

40%

35%

IA

25

25

25%

35%

Total weighting

100%

100%

Source: M21 adapted assessment: Modified marks, weightings and examination times, p.11

Download a PDF version of the revised timings, marks, and weights by clicking the link here.

Please note that the IB has announced to Heads of School and DP Coordinators that the above changes will also apply to the examinations in May 2022 and November 2022.

The main aims and overview of the Paper 1 assessment are as follows:

  • Promotes a holistic approach to IB Business Management

  • Assesses all 5 topics of the IB BM syllabus

  • Section C: Extended response (essay) question (HL Only)

  • Carries 30% in the examination for SL and 35% for HL

  • Demands extensive analytical and critical thinking skills.

The pre-issued case study

Each exam session, the IB releases a pre-issued case study for the external examinations. This is made available on the PRC (Programme Resources Centre) - speak with your IB Coordinator if you are not sure how to access this resource.

For the May examination, the pre-issued case study is made available in February. For the November examination, the pre-issued case study is available on the PRC in August.

The case study is based on a hypothetical organization, which covers all 5 units in the syllabus. It can act as a useful stimuls for students when revising for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Note: students must not use this organization for their CUEGIS essay in Paper 2, Section C!

FAQ 1: So, what would happen if a student decided to write about the organization featured in Paper 1 for their CUEGIS essay in Section C of Paper 2?

The CUEGIS essay in Paper 2 must be based on a real-world organization. The organization featured in the Paper 1pre-issued case study is a fictitious business. Therefore, students will be penalized if they choose to use the business organization featured in Paper 1!

Note: Schools are responsible for providing the formulae sheet + a clean copy of the pre-issued case study for students in the external exam. It is therefore useful to practice this by setting students a mock/trial exam for Paper 1.

Paper 1 – Standard Level

  • Section A: answer 2 of 3 structured questions

  • 10 marks per question; there are no AO3 questions in Section A

  • Additional unseen additional material in Section B

  • Section B: answer the compulsory structured question worth 20 marks

  • Total = 40 marks

  • Time = 1 hour 15 mins examination

FAQ 2: What happens if a student answers all three questions in Section A?

This is not a recommended strategy! However, in such a case, the examiner will mark all three answers and award the top two marks. However, there is an opportunity cost if answering all three questions in Section A because students are likely to run out of time for Section B of the exam.

Paper 1 – Higher Level

  • Section A: answer 2 of 3 structured questions

  • 10 marks per question; there are no AO3 questions in Section A

  • Additional unseen additional material in Section B

  • Section B: answer the compulsory structured question worth 20 marks

  • Total = 40 marks

  • Time = 1 hour 15 mins examination

  • Section C:

    Additional unseen material will be provided in the actual Paper 1 exam

    Answer the compulsory question worth 20 marks

    HL extension topics may be assessed

  • Total = 60 marks

  • Time = 2 hour 15 mins examination

FAQ 3: How do the HL and SL Paper 1 examinations differ from each other?

Sections A and B are very similar for SL and HL, although the latter can include HL extension or HL only topics as mentioned in the Guide (page 54). The main difference is Section C for HL only students, which is a single question worth 20 marks. This requires students to answer a business strategy question based on the pre-released material and the additional stimulus materials in Section B and Section C of the examination.

 ATL Activity - What do you know about the Paper 1 assessment?

What do you know about the Paper 1 assessment? Use any resource you have access to (such as the IB Business Management Guide) to answer the following questions:

1Which two items must a school provide for students in the Paper 1 Business Management exam?

The formulae sheet plus a clean copy of the pre-issued case study.

2What is tested in Section C of Paper 1 (HL Only)?

Business decision-making and business strategy, using tools/theories/techniques such as decision trees or investment appraisal techniques.

3Are there any AO3 questions in Part A of the exam paper?

No – only up to AO2 (such as describe or explain).

4Can quantitative questions appear in Section B of the Paper 1 exam?

Yes, potentially. Section B is different for SL and HL but students can expect data / quantitative questions (although this is not prescriptive).

5What is the rule on the use of calculators in the Paper 1 exam?

A 4-function calculator would suffice; graphic display calculators (GDCs) with storage devices must have the memory completely swiped and checked by an exams invigilator.

6What is the weighting of the Paper 1 exam for HL? SL?

35% for HL and 30% for SL - as stated on pages 53 and 54 of the official IB Business Management Guide. These weighting represent at least three grade boundaries for the Paper 1 examination, so schools are strongly advised to devote adequate time to review and revise the syllabus through the context of the organization and information contained in the pre-issued case study.

Click the banner above to see details of two workshops being hosted by InThinking to support teachers preparing for the M22 Paper 1 examination.

For lesson ideas, research tasks, and other resources for the various IB Paper 1 case studies, click on the relevant hyperlink below:

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