BM External Assessment

The External Assessment assesses a range of skills, including:
– Analytical Skills: Ability to break down complex information, interpret data, and identify key business issues.
– Application of Theory: Use of relevant business concepts, theories, and tools to provide insight into real-world business scenarios.
– Critical Thinking: Evaluation of different perspectives, drawing conclusions, and making well-reasoned recommendations.
– Decision-Making: Ability to propose actionable solutions based on analysis and evidence.

To excel in the External Assessment, students are encouraged to:
– Familiarize themselves with key business theories and models.
– Practice analyzing case studies and data-response questions.
– Develop strong reasoning and evaluative skills.
– Practice structuring answers concisely, with clear arguments and evidence-based conclusions.

The Assessment Components and Weighting section outlines the structure and distribution of the external assessment in Business Management. Each component assesses different aspects of students’ knowledge and skills, with Papers 1, 2, and (for HL students) Paper 3 focusing on varied areas such as case study analysis, quantitative material interpretation, and strategic decision-making in social entrepreneurship. The weightings assigned to each paper reflect the emphasis placed on these skills at both the Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL), guiding students to balance their preparation across practical application, analysis, and critical evaluation.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 25% (HL and SL)
Paper 1 consists of a pre-released statement that provides the context and background for an unseen case study. The paper is divided into:
– Section A: Structured questions based on Units 1–5 excluding HL extension topics (20 marks).
– Section B: Extended response questions based on the case study with one question out of two choices (10 marks).

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Weighting: 30% (HL) / 35% (SL)
Paper 2 is based on unseen quantitative stimulus material. It is divided into:
– Section A: Structured questions with a quantitative focus, covering Units 1–5 (20 or 30 marks).
– Section B: Structured and extended response questions based on unseen stimulus material, with one question out of two choices (20 marks).

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Weighting: 25%
Paper 3 is exclusively for HL students and is based on stimulus material about a social enterprise. It consists of a compulsory question that assesses students’ knowledge and decision-making skills in the context of social entrepreneurship (25 marks).

The external assessment is designed to test students across four assessment objectives:
– AO1: Knowledge and Understanding – Demonstrates knowledge of business management concepts.
– AO2: Application and Analysis – Applies business management tools and analyzes data.
– AO3: Synthesis and Evaluation – Develops evaluative and synthesizing skills.
– AO4: Use of Appropriate Skills – Employs relevant business skills in responses.

Each question in the assessment papers is scored using analytic mark schemes and markbands. The markbands provide detailed level descriptors, allowing examiners to evaluate the depth and relevance of students’ responses. For extended response questions, the maximum score is achieved through a clear, substantiated argument that demonstrates thorough knowledge and application of business tools and theories.

To score within the higher markbands, students should use relevant examples and business tools in their responses. It is crucial for students to reference the stimulus material effectively and apply business management theories to real-world scenarios. This demonstrates a practical understanding of business concepts.