There Are No Awards For...

There’s a popular trend on Instagram where people joke about things that don’t come with awards—like staying up all night, replying to emails immediately, or eating a salad without dressing. The idea is simple: some things just don’t deserve the extra effort, while others definitely do. So, I decided to apply this to IB Business exams as a fun (and funny) way to remind students of what they should and shouldn’t do on exam day. Because let’s face it—we can drill exam techniques into their heads, but sometimes a little humor helps it stick.

IB Business Awards

Looking for other exam tips, relatable IB Business jokes, or fun trends, check out my Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/down_to_business_learning?igsh=cHg4Y3d1bGh5ZDJm&utm_source=qr

So without further ado... here is my list of things students don't get awards for!

1. Finishing the Exam First

   
   

Ah yes, the "speed racer" students who treat the IB Business exam like a 100-meter sprint. The reality? There are no extra points for being the first one to put your pen down. Rushing just increases the chances of careless mistakes, skipped questions, and vague, undeveloped answers. Instead, students should pace themselves, use the full time wisely, and check their work. The finish line isn’t the goal—maximizing marks is!

2. Doing Calculations Without a Calculator

   
   

Mental math skills are great, and sure, their math teacher might be impressed, but exam markers won’t hand out bonus points for solving break-even analysis in your head. In fact, they will only hand out zero points if you make a silly mistake. If students have a calculator, they should use it. The goal isn’t to impress, it’s to get the right answer (and show working when necessary)!

3. Doing the Exam in Order

   
   

Some students believe they must tackle the exam exactly as it appears: Section A, then Section B, no exceptions. But this isn’t a treasure hunt, there’s no mandatory route! With the exception of Paper 3 (which makes the most sense to do in order), students should start with the questions they feel most confident about. Building momentum with easier or more familiar questions can boost confidence and leave more time for trickier ones later.

4. Wasting Reading Time

   
   

The IB gives students five precious minutes to read through the paper before writing begins. What do some students do with this gift? Stare at the ceiling like they’ve suddenly forgotten why they’re here. Instead, they should be skimming the questions, identifying key information, and deciding their game plan. That five-minute head start can be the difference between a well-structured answer and a scrambled mess.

5. Repeating the Business Name

   
   

Some students seem to think that application = mentioning the business name a million times. “Coca-Cola should increase its marketing. Coca-Cola should reduce costs. Coca-Cola needs to focus on customers.” Nope. That’s not application. Real application means using specific case study details and linking them directly to the business problem or strategy. We need analysis, not a corporate mantra.

So, as we head into the final weeks before the exams, let’s remind our students that the real reward isn’t finishing first, showing off mental math, or following the exam in order—it’s walking out of the exam hall knowing they gave themselves the best chance to succeed.

Did you enjoy this post? This is part of a four-week blog series leading up to the IB Business exams. Check back each Tuesday for more exam tips, strategies, and advice to help students perform their best!