
Competition Preparation
Welcome to the International Business Olympiad (IBO) preparation guide. This page outlines the competition structure and provides strategies to help you succeed at each stage.
Qualification Round
Global Grand Test
Format:
- Objective Exam (150 minutes)
- 300 multiple-choice questions
- Focus: Core business theories, concepts, and methodologies (aligned with the IBO Learning Syllabus)
Preparation Tips:
- Use the IBO Learning Syllabus as a study guide.
- Review business fundamentals through online courses or standard business textbooks.
- Registered participants can access practice questions in the EAE system for additional preparation.
Resources:
- IBO Learning Syllabus
- Practice Questions (Accessible in the EAE system after registered)
Final Round
The Final Round consists of two components:
Material-Based Objective Exam
Format:
- 5 business case studies (each with 15 multiple-choice questions + 5 true/false questions)
- 120-minute exam
- Focus: Applying business knowledge and analytical frameworks to real-world scenarios
Preparation Tips:
- Review Sample Questions to understand the exam format.
- Practice with consulting-style case studies (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Bain) to strengthen analytical skills.
Resources:
Case Analysis
Format:
- Teams analyze a business case, develop solutions, and present their findings.
- Focus: Problem-solving, strategic thinking, and structured communication
Preparation Tips:
- Study Sample Cases to familiarize yourself with IBO’s format.
- Practice with consulting frameworks (e.g., SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, 4Ps).
- Review classic consulting cases (e.g., Harvard Business School cases) to refine your approach.
Resources:
Recommended Readings
To deepen your business knowledge, consider:
The Trusted Advisor
By David Maister
Crack the Case
By David Ohrvall
Case In Point
By Marc Cosentino
The McKinsey Way
By Ethan Rasiel
The Pyramid Principle
By Barbara Minto
The Strategy Management
By Thompson Strickland
BCG on Strategy
By C. Stern, M. Deimler.
Say it with Charts
By Gene Zelazny
Unfolding the Napkins
By Dan Roam
Visualizing This
By Nathan Yau
Slide: ology
By Nancy Duarte
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