Business Management Past Papers 2026
Browse all available Business Management sessions from 2014-2025. This archive currently includes 444 official papers and 8 donated papers.
26
Sessions
452
Papers
444
Official
2014-2025
Years
November 2025
Latest Session
26
Sessions
2014–2025
125
Question Papers
98
Markschemes
78% coverage
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute = how fast you have to write. Anything above 0.85 is tight; above 1.0 is brutal.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Case Study (pre-released statement) | 30 | 1h 30m | 0.33 | Steady |
| Paper 2 | Structured Questions (HL) | 50 | 1h 45m | 0.48 | Steady |
| Paper 3 | Social Enterprise (HL only) | 25 | 1h 15m | 0.33 | Steady |
Components: 3 papers, up to 3 variants each. Component data extracted from 3 official IB subject reports (2024, 2025).
November 2025
Latest Session
26
Sessions
2014–2025
110
Question Papers
86
Markschemes
78% coverage
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute = how fast you have to write. Anything above 0.85 is tight; above 1.0 is brutal.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Case Study (pre-released statement) | 30 | 1h 30m | 0.33 | Steady |
| Paper 2 | Structured Questions (SL) | 40 | 1h 30m | 0.44 | Steady |
Components: 2 papers, up to 3 variants each. Component data extracted from 3 official IB subject reports (2024, 2025).
Yearly Exam Sessions
What IB examiners say about Business Management
Verbatim quotes from 3 official IB subject reports (2025–2024). Every quote is attributable to a specific paper and session — these are the things IB markers flag year after year.
Copying from the case study instead of showing subject…
Too many students just lifted sentences from the case study, without sufficient added value to gain marks. In a business management examination, students are expected to show and apply subject knowledge.
Generic answers without application to the stimulus
Some answers remained too theoretical and were not sufficiently applied to the case study. Business management is an applied subject, so students must apply their knowledge to the context given.
Over-concise definitions
Minimalistic definitions (as few words as possible) are unlikely to achieve 2 marks; students should be coached and trained to develop their answer.
About IB Business Management
IB Business Management is a Group 3 subject that focuses on the theory and practice of business at local, national, and international levels. Topics include business organisation and environment, human resource management, finance and accounts, marketing, and operations management. The course develops analytical and evaluative skills through real business case studies.
IB Business Management is available at SL and HL. It is one of the most popular IB subjects globally, valued by students aiming for business, management, economics, or social science degrees. Our archive includes past papers and mark schemes for Paper 1 (case study) and Paper 2 (structured questions).
Exam Format
Paper 1 (SL: 1 hr 15 min / HL: 2 hr 15 min)
Pre-seen case study about a real or fictional organisation. Questions require applying business management tools to the company.
Paper 2 (SL: 1 hr 45 min / HL: 1 hr 45 min)
Structured questions and extended responses on any area of the syllabus. No pre-seen material.
SL vs HL
SL and HL study the same core topics but HL goes deeper into financial analysis (HL-only content includes investment appraisal, critical path analysis, and more advanced finance). HL Paper 1 requires more in-depth analysis of the case study organisation.
Study Tips for IB Business Management
- ✓Study the pre-released case study thoroughly before Paper 1 — annotate it and identify relevant theory.
- ✓Always link business theory to the case study company in Paper 1 answers.
- ✓Use business acronyms correctly: SWOT, PEST, BCG matrix, Ansoff matrix — examiners reward accurate tool application.
- ✓For 'evaluate' or 'to what extent' questions, always provide a judgement supported by evidence.
- ✓Learn all HL financial ratios and practice interpreting financial statements.
Questions, answered.
A pre-seen document released before Paper 1 describing a business organisation. Paper 1 questions require application of BM theory to this specific company.
IB Business Management HL is well-regarded for business, management, economics, and social science degrees at most universities.
Key tools include SWOT analysis, PEST/PESTLE, Ansoff matrix, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix, Porter's Five Forces, break-even analysis, and ratio analysis.