HOW TO ANSWER A 2 MARK QUESTION (AO1)

 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding

o Example: Define, Describe, State
 No more than 3 sentences
 1 mark for a clear definition that shows knowledge and understanding of the term and takes into
account key aspects
o i.e. the definition of economies of scales should mention into account the reduction of unit
price / variable cost per unit
o Include a formula if applicable
 1 mark for showing an example, preferably one that links to the case study

HOW TO ANSWER A 4 MARK QUESTION:

ADVANTAGES VS DISADVANTAGES (AO2)
 Demonstrate application and analysis
o Example: Analyze, Comment, Explain
 Show advantages and disadvantages
o 1 paragraph for advantages
o 1 paragraph for disadvantages
 1 mark for each correct advantage / disadvantage identifying or described
 1 mark for explanation and applied to case study
o Example: “an advantage to operating as a public limited company is that it is easier access to
additional capital” is 1 mark
o Example: “an advantage to operating as a public limited company is that it is easier access to
additional capital. Company X may need to additional capital to implement its repositioning
strategy since they will need new machines to produce the additional products” is 2 marks

HOW TO ANSWER A 4 MARK QUESTION:

NON ADVANTAGES VS DISADVANTAGES (AO2)
 Demonstrate application and analysis
o Example: Analyze, Comment, Explain
 1 mark for demonstrating some idea of the answer to the question
 2 marks for demonstrating a clear understanding answer to the question
 1 mark for some link to the case study
 2 marks for a through link to the case study
 HOW TO ANSWER A 6 MARK QUESTION:
ADVANTAGES VS DISADVANTAGES (AO2)
 Demonstrate application and analysis
o Example: Apply, Explain
 Usually there are 3 answers (i.e. “Explain two benefits and one negative …”)
 Mark as 2 + 2 + 2 where:
o 1 mark for a correct benefit / negative consequence identified
o 1 mark for a relevant explanation with application to the case study
o Example: “an advantage to operating as a public limited company is that it is easier access to
additional capital” is 1 mark
o Example: “an advantage to operating as a public limited company is that it is easier access to
additional capital. Company X may need to additional capital to implement its repositioning
strategy since they will need new machines to produce the additional products” is 2 marks

HOW TO ANSWER A 6 MARK QUESTION:

NON ADVANTAGES VS DISADVANTAGES (AO2)
 Demonstrate application and analysis
o Example: Analyze, Comment, Explain
 1 mark for demonstrating some idea of the answer to the question
 2 marks for demonstrating a clear understanding answer to the question
 1 mark for some link to the case study
 2 marks for a through link to the case study
 HOW TO ANSWER A 10 MARK QUESTION:
ONE OPTION (AO3)
 Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation
o Example: Compare, Evaluate, Examine
 Minimum 5 paragraphs
 BALANCE!!
o The response is one that covers at least two issue for and at least two argument against
each option
INTRODUCTION
 Explain the issue and why

PARAGRAPH 1
 Pro / Positives
o List all the advantages / pros of the situation
 Avoid sweeping (generic) statements and make sure the argument is substantiated with examples
and evidence from the case
 If possible, use all aspects of the syllabus to answer the question
 Use at least 3 course-keywords in your answer

PARAGRAPH 2
 Cons / Negatives
o Same as Pro / Positives

PARAGRAPH 3
 Your analysis
o Compare the positive and the negatives
o Provide judgment
o Decide which option is best

CONCLUSION
 Always start with “In Conclusion”
o A quick summary of the your answer

 For one relevant issue that is one-sided, a maximum of 3 marks will be awarded
 For more than one relevant issue that is one-sided, a maximum of 4 marks will be awarded
 if you answer shows a balanced analysis and understanding throughout the response with
reference to the case study but there is no judgment / conclusion, you can only receive a maximum
of 5 to 6 marks
 If you give judgment / conclusions that are not based on analysis / explanation already given in your
answer, you can only receive a maximum of 7 to 8 marks
 HOW TO ANSWER A 10 MARK QUESTION:
COMPARE 2 OPTIONS (AO3)
 Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation
o Example: Compare, Evaluate, Examine
 Minimum 5 paragraphs
 BALANCE!!
o The response is one that covers at least two issue for and at least two argument against
each option
INTRODUCTION
 Explain the issue and why

PARAGRAPH 1
 Pro / Positives AND Cons / Negatives for option 1
 Avoid sweeping (generic) statements and make sure the argument is substantiated with examples
and evidence from the case
 If possible, use all aspects of the syllabus to answer the question
 Use at least 3 course-keywords in your answer

PARAGRAPH 2
 Pro / Positives AND Cons / Negatives for option 2
o Same as Pro / Positives

PARAGRAPH 3
 Your analysis
o Compare the positive and the negatives
o Provide judgment
o Decide which option is best

CONCLUSION
 Always start with “In Conclusion”
o A quick summary of the your answer

 For one relevant issue that is one-sided, a maximum of 3 marks will be awarded
 For more than one relevant issue that is one-sided, a maximum of 4 marks will be awarded
 if you answer shows a balanced analysis and understanding throughout the response with
reference to the case study but there is no judgment / conclusion, you can only receive a maximum
of 5 to 6 marks
 If you give judgment / conclusions that are not based on analysis / explanation already given in your
answer, you can only receive a maximum of 7 to 8 marks
 HOW TO ANSWER AN ERQ (AO3)
INTRODUCTION
 Definition of concept or concepts
o Have a memorized list of definition of each of the six CUEGIS concepts
 The organization(s) the ERQ will be focusing on
o “Wikipedia” definition – 1 or 2 sentences that state here the company is located, what they
produce, and what industry they are in
o If they have a famous CEO, state that person and how they are linked to the concept
 What IB Business theory or model that will be used
o If you are using a model (e.g. Ansoff), state and define which 2 or 3 that will be focused on
o If you are using a theory (e.g. crisis management), define it
 List and identify the internal and external stakeholders that will be discussed
 Connecting sentences – How the concept, the organization, the theory / model and the
stakeholders all relate and what the ERQ is going to show
o Example “Apple, based on Steve Job’s philosophy and continued with Tim Cook’s leadership,
has generally relied on innovation to improve their competitiveness in an increasingly
globalized technology market.”
o Mention the sector or sectors and be contextual – there might be an awful lot of changes in
that particular sector, refer to that
o If there is a famous CEO, how do they relate to the question
o Make sure your hypothesis is actually an answer to the question because it’s going to be the
focus of your essay

PARAGRAPH 1
 If the question is about 2 concepts, check if it is an “and” or “or” question
o If “and” (i.e. innovation and ethics), then every paragraph must demonstrate both concepts
o If “or” (i.e. innovation or ethics) then paragraph 1 can be about innovation and paragraph 2
can be about ethics
 The example should be up-to-date and linked to the concept
 If using a model, identify which part of the model this will paragraph is focusing on
o Example diversification
 Avoid sweeping (generic) statements and make sure the argument is substantiated with examples
and evidence
o 5Ws that include dates, location
 Show the advantages and disadvantages that occurred due to situation
 Refer to concept throughout - linking it the example at the company. Impress with your
knowledge!!
 Use at least 3 course-keywords in your answer. Don’t just drop them in, but use them to go
deeper - show that you really know what these mean, by using them to give some really thoughtful
insights about the company
o Don’t just say that the company has used “job production.” Say “They use job
production because it allows them to provide a higher quality product, from the customer’s
perspective. Customers get exactly what they want and this increases customer loyalty”
 Don’t worry about doing this in the right order
O You might explain how the company has really embraced the concept (i.e. strategy) and it’s
benefited them with competitive advantage, using some true facts about the company
 Explain response of and possible conflicts between stakeholder (that were listed in the
introduction) interests and some ways that the stakeholders have priorities in common
O Make sure each of the stakeholder interests is completely clear, so the reader understands
the exact reasons for the conflict - if there is a conflict
PARAGRAPH 2 & 3
 2nd point that supports your CUEGIS concept(s)
o Same information as in Paragraph 1 however on a new example

CONCLUSION
 Always start with “In conclusion”
 Pull it all together in terms of the concept(s)
 What is the end result for the company
o Are they doing well or not and how is their success or failure related to the concept?

HOW TO ANSWER A GRAPHING QUESTION (AO4)

BREAK EVEN
 Always start with a title
o “Break Even for Company A”
 Label x-axis as “Units”
 Label y-axis as “Cost / Revenue ($)”
 Label the 3 curves as “TR”, “TC” and “TF”
 Label the Break Even Point (where TR crosses TC)
o Draw dotted lines to the x and y axis and label the amount / revenue
 Label the Margin of Safety
 Label the output unit.
o Draw dotted lines to the x and y axis and label the amount / revenue

BALANCE SHEET / PROFIT & LOSS / CASH FLOW

 Always start with a title
o “Balance Sheet for Company X as of December 31, 2016”
o “P&L for Company Y for the year ending December 31, 2016”
o “6 month Cash Flow for Company Z beginning January 2016”
 For Balance Sheet:
o Remember order of liquidity for current assets and current liabilities
o Net Assets = Equity
 For Cash Flow:
o If you have to spend money, it is a cash outflow
o If you are receiving money, it is a cash inflow

DECISION TREE
 Always add the legend
o Decision Point = 
o Probability Node = 
o Rejected options = //
 Include Forecasted revenue
 Label each probability with a description and the probability %age or cost