For internal assessment, a number of assessment criteria have been identified. Each assessment criterion has level descriptors describing specific achievement levels, together with an appropriate range of marks. The level descriptors concentrate on positive achievement, although for the lower levels failure to achieve may be included in the description.
The SL business management written commentary is assessed against seven criteria that are related to the assessment objectives for the business management course.
When the work to be assessed has been read, the descriptors for each criterion should be studied until a descriptor is reached that most appropriately describes the achievement level. If a piece of work seems to fall between two descriptors, both descriptors should be read again and the one that more appropriately describes the student’s work chosen.
There are seven assessment criteria for the written commentary.
- Criterion A: Supporting documents
- Criterion B: Choice and application of business tools, techniques and theories
- Criterion C: Choice and analysis of data and integration of ideas
- Criterion D: Conclusions
- Criterion E: Evaluation
- Criterion F: Structure
- Criterion G: Presentation
Criterion A: Supporting documents
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student selects three to five relevant supporting documents that address the issue or problem selected for commentary in appropriate depth and breadth. The criterion also assesses whether the student’s choice and presentation of the supporting documents meets formal requirements.
Criterion B: Choice and application of tools, techniques and theories
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student chooses business management tools, techniques and theories that are relevant to the issue or problem and applies these so that a greater insight into the situation of the organization ensues.
Criterion C: Choice and analysis of data and integration of ideas
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student uses data from the supporting documents effectively in order to understand and explain the issue or problem and is able to integrate ideas coherently.
Criterion D: Conclusions
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to draw relevant conclusions based on the analysis of the supporting documents and answer the commentary question.
Criterion E: Evaluation
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student evaluates his or her arguments and makes judgments that are well substantiated.
Criterion F: Structure
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student organizes his or her ideas into a structured commentary with an argument that is easy to follow.
Criterion G: Presentation
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents the written commentary well. This involves a title page, an accurate table of contents, appropriate headings and sub-headings, consistent referencing, a complete bibliography and numbered pages.
