Business+Strategy

Higher Level Paper 1 includes a compulsory Section C Question (30 marks) which focuses on strategic decision making (Topic 6 of HL syllabus : Business Strategy).

Answers require the use of extension matrial and additonal information provided in the question paper as well as the pre-seen case study.

It is imperative that you complete this section thoroughly and that you do make in-depth reference to the additional information whenever possible. Most students would plan to spend up to 50 minutes on Section C which in the past has been subdivided into parts (a) (b) (c) and (d) with part (d) worth 12 marks and therefore 20 minutes should be spent answering part (d).

Typical wording for a part (d) Section C question could be:

(d) Using a decsion making framework and using information contained in the case study AND the additional information, evaluate Neil's three options to generate further revenue (12 marks) or (d) Using data from the case study and the additional information evalauate Reach Out's strategic options for the next three years (12 marks)

Note the use of the command term "evalaute" and remember to use a "strategic framework'" to answer either question.

It would be useful if you now read through pages 40 to 43 of the IB syllabus to be clear about what a strategic framework is (!) and ask yourself how many of the "questions to be considered" in Stages 1, 2 and 3 can be applied to Reach Out and what your answer to any relevant question from pages 40 to 43 would be.

Of course your answers will change dependent on the additional information provided which MUST be analysed and then used in your actual answer......