We are writing to explain a change in how students qualify for the International Business Olympiad — and the reasons behind it.
Over the past years, we have seen a growing number of students register for the competition without genuinely preparing for it. Some joined without a real intention to compete, and some looked for shortcuts rather than doing the work. We take our integrity rules seriously — they exist to protect every honest participant.
This pattern did real damage. It consumed operational resources that should have gone toward supporting committed students. It took time and energy from students who were not truly engaged — energy they could have invested in something they genuinely care about. And it diluted the field for the students who had prepared seriously, making the competition less meaningful than it should be.
That is why, beginning in 2027, qualification will be earned differently. To compete, students must first complete the official IBO Study Bundle on LearningFirst — structured lessons and rich practice materials that reach well beyond a syllabus, studied at your own pace, with quizzes that confirm your learning. There is no separate qualification examination to sit; the qualification is the study itself.
We chose this model deliberately. Passing an exam proves performance on one day. Completing the study bundle proves sustained commitment — and it gives every qualifier the preparation they need before the competition even begins.
For students who are serious about business, this should not feel like a new burden. The bundle is the preparation you would undertake anyway — and because every qualifier has completed it, you will compete among peers who are as prepared as you are. For students who are not yet ready to make that investment, the requirement is an honest signal: either commit to the preparation, or step aside. Both outcomes leave the field stronger.
Our goal is simple. Every student who reaches the competition should be someone who has genuinely prepared and who wants to be there. Every award should stand for real achievement. We would rather serve fewer students deeply than many students superficially — and we believe the students who matter most to us will agree.
Thank you to everyone who takes this competition seriously. The 2027 IBO is built for you.