The main difference lies in depth and assessment. HL requires 240 teaching hours compared to 150 for SL and includes additional topics like detailed HR management and Operations Management. Assessment-wise, HL students sit a Paper 3 exam focused on social enterprise, whereas SL students do not.

Students are assessed through external exams and an Internal Assessment (IA). Paper 1 is based on a pre-released case study, and Paper 2 focuses on unseen stimulus material with quantitative elements. HL students also take Paper 3. The IA is a research project solving a real-world business issue.

To ace your IA, choose a real business with accessible financial and strategic data. Use a conceptual lens to frame your analysis and apply key theories like Porter’s Five Forces or Ansoff’s Matrix. Ensure your work is concise, analytical, and well-referenced.

Our free consultation is a 20–30 minute session with a Student Success Expert. It’s an opportunity to discuss your current academic standing, identify priority areas, and build a clear roadmap for success. There is absolutely no obligation to purchase tutoring—just expert advice to get you on track.

Lanterna tutors are high-achieving IB graduates who have mastered the specific demands of Business Management. They can help you decode "cryptic" markschemes, refine your exam technique for case studies, and provide personalized feedback on your IA to ensure it meets top-tier criteria.

The difficulty increase is generally considered manageable, often rated around 2.33 out of 5 by experts. While HL involves more content and the extra Paper 3, the core concepts remain similar. If you are a strong analytical thinker interested in strategic decision-making, HL is a great choice.