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BUSINESS-MANAGEMENT · IB Diploma Programme

BUSINESS-MANAGEMENT/11

Paper 1

Business Management · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.2/5

Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.2 / 5

Total marks

70

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Growth and evolution

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

70

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.2 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

A comprehensive examination analysis of the May 2024 IB Business Management HL/SL Paper 1 and SL Paper 2, highlighting key quantitative requirements, critical examiner insights, and strategic evaluation of corporate growth options.

2

Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Quantitative7
Theoretical Applied6
Strategic Evaluation4
Precise Terminology2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

QuantitativeQuantitativeTheoretical AppliedTheoreticalAppliedStrategic EvaluationStrategicEvaluationPrecise TerminologyPreciseTerminology
SkillWeightShare
  • Quantitative

    Weight: 7100%
  • Theoretical Applied

    Weight: 686%
  • Strategic Evaluation

    Weight: 457%
  • Precise Terminology

    Weight: 229%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions

Level 7

Excellent — top band for competitive university offers

Level 6

Very good — strong HL performance

Level 5

Good — solid pass at higher level

Level 4

Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits

Level 3

Mediocre

Level 2

Poor

Level 1

Very poor

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

DefineFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.

StateFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 1

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

ExplainFrequency: 6

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

CalculateFrequency: 4

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

AnalyseFrequency: 1

Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.

CommentFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Comment” questions.

DiscussFrequency: 3

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Section B30m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 3

Paper 2 Section A45m / 20 marks

Min per mark: 2.3

Paper 2 Section B45m / 20 marks

Min per mark: 2.3

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Growth and evolution

24 marks this session

Leadership and management

8 marks this session

Final accounts

6 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Growth and evolution

10
24
22
56

The seven Ps of the marketing mix

22
8
30

Marketing planning

22
22

Location

20
20

Motivation and demotivation

8
8

Leadership and management

8
8

Break-even analysis

6
6

Final accounts

6
6

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1 (Before One PLC Case Study):

30 marks90 min

Paper 2 Standard Level:

40 marks90 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    A comprehensive examination analysis of the May 2024 IB Business Management HL/SL Paper 1 and SL Paper 2, highlighting key quantitative requirements, critical examiner insights, and strategic evaluation of corporate growth options.

  • 2Message

    Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Business Management

A comprehensive examination analysis of the May 2024 IB Business Management HL/SL Paper 1 and SL Paper 2, highlighting key quantitative requirements, critical examiner insights, and strategic evaluation of corporate growth options.

  • A comprehensive examination analysis of the May 2024 IB Business Management HL/SL Paper 1 and SL Paper 2, highlighting key quantitative requirements, critical examiner insights, and strategic evaluation of corporate growth options.

  • Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Total marks
70
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5

Session analysis

A comprehensive examination analysis of the May 2024 IB Business Management HL/SL Paper 1 and SL Paper 2, highlighting key quantitative requirements, critical examiner insights, and strategic evaluation of corporate growth options.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1 (Before One PLC Case Study):

30 marks90 min

Paper 2 Standard Level:

40 marks90 min

Top chapters

Growth and evolution24 marks
Leadership and management8 marks
Final accounts6 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Growth and evolution24 marks
Leadership and management8 marks
Final accounts6 marks
Break-even analysis6 marks
The seven Ps of the marketing m6 marks
Types of business entities4 marks
Costs and revenues4 marks
Introduction to finance4 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

74% within easy or medium reach

20
32
18
Easy: 20 marksMedium: 32 marksHard: 18 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Define3 times
State3 times
Describe1 times
Explain6 times
Calculate4 times
Analyse1 times
Comment2 times
Discuss3 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

70Marks
  • AO2 - Application and calculation

    34·11·49%

  • AO4 - Evaluation and recommendation

    20·2·29%

  • AO1 - Knowledge and understanding

    10·5·14%

  • AO3 - Analysis and synthesis

    6·1·9%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Growth and evolutionThe seven Ps of th…Final accountsBreak-even analysisLeadership and man…

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.82014420153.420163.520173.820183.82019320203.220213.820223.820233.22024

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Section B

0.33 m/min
10
30

Paper 2 Section A

0.44 m/min
20
45

Paper 2 Section B

0.44 m/min
20
45

Total marks

50

Total time

120 min

Avg pace

0.42

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Cash flow

5%

5%

Motivation and demotivation

4%

4%

Lean production and quality management

4%

4%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 30min
Total marks
30

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

BUSINESS-MANAGEMENT/11 — IB Diploma Programme Business Management (2024) | Revui