IB Business Management Command Terms Guide
An essential skill for IB exam success is understanding what the exam question is asking you and how you are expected to respond. You’ll want to be sure you have a firm grasp of this so as not to miss out on important points. Luckily, our IB Business Management Command Terms Guide can help you strengthen your understanding of the command terms you may encounter in your exam and how to effectively respond to each type. Written by experienced IB teacher, Paul Clark, the advice below was extracted from our IB Business Management Study Guide series. You’ll want to check it out (link below) if you’re looking for a study resource that provides a comprehensive review of the syllabus, while also giving you lots of top exam tips and more than 90 IB style questions to get you exam ready.
IB Business Management Command Terms & Assessment Objectives
The following is a summary of the command terms for your IB Business Management exam alongside their associated assessment objectives (AO). To give yourself the best opportunity of achieving top marks, study this guidance and practice answering a variety of question types with different command terms to build your confidence.
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding – the lowest skill level
AO1 Command Terms: Define, Describe, Outline, State
AO1 Requirements: If you see these command terms, the examiner wants you to show that you have learned information and understand its meaning. You are not required to explain it – simply list, define, outline or state. Do not write too much for these types of questions – in most cases, a bullet point list is enough. Few marks are allocated to these questions. Relate the marks to the time you spend on your answer.
AO2: Demonstrate application and analysis – relate your knowledge to business data and case studies
AO2 Command Terms: Analyse, Apply, Comment, Demonstrate, Distinguish, Explain, Suggest
AO2 Requirements: If questions use these command terms, you are required to show that you can break down ideas into simpler parts, such as advantages and disadvantages, and to apply your knowledge to stimulus materials you are given e.g. case study materials. So, for instance, you might explain a theory, such as Ansoff’s growth matrix and then apply it to the case study materials.
AO3: Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation – the highest skill level
AO3 Command Terms: Compare, Compare and Contrast, Contrast, Discuss, Evaluate, Examine, Justify, Recommend, To what extend?
AO3 Requirements: If questions use these command terms, you are required to rearrange ideas and to make supported judgments (reach conclusions) based on evidence or a set of criteria. Your answers must be balanced showing both sides to an answer, even if one side is weaker. Then you should conclude which is the better option and why, or make recommendations for future action. In a case study question, for example, you might select the best strategic option for the firm, as it moves forward.
Answers should be in full prose and structured, showing you understand the main issues and how they relate. Your conclusion will contain a judgment, although you can also make judgments throughout. Spend more time on your answers to these questions than AO1 and AO2 questions, checking the mark allocation for guidance. DO NOT leave these questions unanswered, even if it means answering them first.
AO4: Demonstrate a variety of appropriate skills – mostly practical skills
AO4 Command Terms: Annotate, Calculate, Complete, Construct, Determine, Draw, Identify, Label, Plot, Prepare
AO4 Requirements: If questions use these command terms, you are required to show that you understand business tools and can apply them to given situations. You may be asked to construct diagrams or graphs. If you are, pay attention to presentation skills, such as including a key, labelling axes or appropriate titles. Please use a ruler to construct graphs and models! In most cases, you will also need a calculator, so enter the examination room totally equipped.
More IB Business Management top tips
You must take note of the command terms used in examination questions because these indicate the breadth and depth of answers required by the examiner.
The marks allocated for the question, or parts of the question, are also another key indicator of the depth and breadth expected.
Before entering the examination room be sure you know how much time to allocate to each mark awarded, by totalling the minutes available and dividing by the maximum marks possible.
For more expert guidance on how to best prepare for your IB Business Management exam, check out our study guides for Business Management Standard Level and Business Management Higher Level or visit our IB Business Management subject page.
