Why IB Business Students Struggle With Paper 2 – A Data Story
Introduction
Every year, my G11 IB Business students surprise me with strong performance in Paper 1, yet many struggle with Paper 2. I always suspected the finance component was the reason, but until I analyzed the standardized data visually, I didn’t realize how clear the gap truly was.
About the Exams
Paper 1 primarily tests structured responses and conceptual knowledge.
Paper 2, on the other hand, is heavily quantitative:
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balance sheets
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cash flow forecasting
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break-even analysis
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investment appraisal
Students often describe Paper 2 as “the confusing one.”
The question was:
How big is the performance gap? And who needs the most support?
Insight: What the Data Reveals
The redesigned visualization highlights three clear insights:
1. Paper 1 Performance Is Consistent
Most students score between 70%–90%, showing strong understanding of theoretical business concepts.
2. Paper 2 Scores Drop Sharply
When sorted descending, the blue bars reveal a steep decline and several scores below 30%.
3. The Weakness Is Skills-Based, Not Knowledge-Based
Even strong Paper 1 students struggled in Paper 2.
This indicates a clear pattern: Students grasp business theory well, but lack confidence in financial reasoning.
Call To Action: Turning Insight into Teaching Strategy
This analysis was not just descriptive; it became prescriptive.
Based on the data, I am implementing:
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Weekly finance skills clinic
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Step-by-step financial examples
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Mini case studies integrating calculations
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Targeted support for students below 30%
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Low-stakes finance practice sheets
Conclusion
Visualization transformed a vague assumption into a targeted teaching strategy.
The data makes the story visible, and the story drives the action.