The IA rewards a question you can actually answer with the data you can get; the papers reward using the right tool on the company in front of you. This page goes through both, from choosing the research question to how the markbands read a Paper 2 answer.
Internal Assessment
A research-based investigation into a real organisation. SL: 30% of your final grade. HL: 20%. Up to 1,800 words for both SL and HL, based on 3 to 5 supporting documents and one key concept, marked against seven criteria (A to G, 25 marks).
12-week roadmap
Week 1 to 2: Pick organisation & rough topic
Week 3. Draft research question
Week 4. Find 3 to 5 supporting documents (dated, no more than 3 years old)
Week 5. Check each document's relevance; optional primary research (only one interview, video or audio transcript can be a supporting document)
Week 6. Choose 2 to 3 tools (SWOT, ratios, Ansoff)
Week 7 to 8: First full draft
Week 9. Teacher feedback
Week 10. Revise & tighten
Week 11. Proofread & reference
Week 12. Submit
External Assessment
Three timed papers. The breakdown:
Paper 1 (SL and HL, 1h30, 30 marks): a pre-released statement about a real business is published in advance; on the day you get an unseen case on that business. Section A, all structured questions; Section B, one extended response of two.
Paper 2 (SL 1h30, 40 marks; HL 1h45, 50 marks): unseen, quantitative stimulus across all five units.
Paper 3 (HL only, 1h15, 25 marks): a social enterprise scenario with one compulsory question that asks you to recommend a plan of action.
Command terms matter
Markschemes are written around command terms. Define earns 1 to 2 marks for accuracy. Explain needs cause-and-effect chains. Analyse needs business tools. Discuss and Evaluate need balanced arguments plus a judgement.
One complete project, Verde Café, taken apart criterion by criterion: for each of A to G, the extract that earns the marks and the version that loses them, with margin notes, then the whole project marked (22/25) and the edit that makes it 25. 14 pages.
The IA is where students gain or lose the most marks. A clear research question with two solid tools and a focused conclusion beats a sprawling essay every time. Quality over quantity.
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