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IB Economics Paper 1: Splitting Explanation from Evaluation
Evaluation has nothing to weigh until the explanation is clean
Paper 1 is a written essay paper in two parts: explain the mechanism, then evaluate. Most marks are lost in the second part, where evaluation is written as a second explanation. Real evaluation names the assumption, the time frame, the elasticity and the stakeholders, then states which side outweighs the other.
How is IB Economics Paper 1 assessed, and what does each part carry?
Paper 1 (SL and HL extended response): one of three, (a) 10 + (b) 15 (SL 30% / HL 20%); Paper 2 (SL and HL data response): 40 marks, parts (a)-(g) (SL 40% / HL 30%); Paper 3 (HL only policy paper): 60 marks, two compulsory questions of 30 (HL 30%); Internal assessment (IA): three commentaries, 800 words each, 45 marks (SL 30% / HL 20%)
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (SL and HL extended response) | one of three, (a) 10 + (b) 15 | SL 30% / HL 20% | 1 h 15 min |
| Paper 2 (SL and HL data response) | 40 marks, parts (a)-(g) | SL 40% / HL 30% | 1 h 45 min |
| Paper 3 (HL only policy paper) | 60 marks, two compulsory questions of 30 | HL 30% | 1 h 45 min |
| Internal assessment (IA) | three commentaries, 800 words each, 45 marks | SL 30% / HL 20% | 20 teaching hours |
IB Economics drilling technique: a Paper 1 essay needs four layers – definition, diagram, explanation and evaluation – and part (b) must carry a real-world example to support the judgement. In calculations (multiplier, elasticity, deadweight loss) write the formula first, then substitute, and state the units.
What each paper is actually testing
| Paper | Drill focus | How marks are lost |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (SL and HL extended response) | definition, diagram, evaluation, real example | Evaluation repeats the mechanism with no judgement anywhere. |
| Paper 2 (SL and HL data response) | read the data, quote it, quantify | The diagram contradicts the text, or never appears. |
| Paper 3 (HL only policy paper) | policy advice with data and limits | The example says only the government, with no policy name or year. |
| Internal assessment (IA) | real article, diagram, evaluation | The first question takes the clock and the second gets half. |
What is each IB Economics Paper 1 paper really testing, and what should you drill?
Paper 1 (SL and HL extended response): definition, diagram, evaluation, real example; Paper 2 (SL and HL data response): read the data, quote it, quantify; Paper 3 (HL only policy paper): policy advice with data and limits; Internal assessment (IA): real article, diagram, evaluation
Drill order: by topic, then by year, then the mark scheme
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. By topic | Work through each topic, starting with the paper that allows least help (no calculator / closed book) | Exposes what is genuinely not understood |
| 2. By year | Whole papers to time, one or two a week | Trains pace, stamina and question selection |
| 3. Mark scheme | Go through the marking scheme question by question and log the scoring steps you missed | Most lost marks are written wrong, not thought wrong |
Should drilling go by topic first or by year?
By topic first, then whole papers by year, then the mark scheme. The first third of the time goes topic by topic (8-10 years of the same topic back to back), the middle switches to timed whole papers, and the last fortnight only redoes the recurring errors from your log.
A 12-week drilling timetable
| Week | Phase | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-3 | By topic: foundation | Topic by topic, starting with the easiest marks, building habits and recall |
| Weeks 4-6 | By topic: core | 8-10 years of the same topic back to back, errors classified by topic |
| Weeks 7-8 | By topic: advanced and electives | Elective and higher-order topics, now under time pressure |
| Weeks 9-10 | By year: timed papers | One full paper a week, timed, no reference materials |
| Week 11 | Mark scheme work | Question by question against the marking scheme; list the scoring steps you omitted |
| Week 12 | Plug holes and simulate | Only the recurring errors from your log, then one full exam simulation |
Subject-specific weighting for this timetable: Weeks 1-3: one mechanism card per topic, a paragraph of explanation, one diagram and the assumption most often misstated, with two evaluation lines on the back.\nWeeks 4-6: evaluation paragraphs only, eight minutes each, carrying a judgement sentence, two reasons and one counter.\nWeeks 7-9: diagram and text together, drawing before writing and checking afterwards that both say the same thing.\nWeeks 10-12: two full questions a week, half the clock reserved for the second part, then unseen material in the final fortnight.
Use it properly: this is not a checklist to finish. Every week must keep time for redoing errors, or from week 9 you will be repeating the same batch.
Pacing
| Paper | Time | Suggested split |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (SL and HL extended response) | 1 h 15 min | 10 min plan, 20 min (a), 40 min (b) |
| Paper 2 (SL and HL data response) | 1 h 45 min | time by marks, formula first in calculations |
| Paper 3 (HL only policy paper) | 1 h 45 min | 50 min a question, 5 min to check |
| Internal assessment (IA) | 20 teaching hours | one unit and one key concept per commentary |
How should the time be split inside each IB Economics Paper 1 paper?
Paper 1 (SL and HL extended response): 10 min plan, 20 min (a), 40 min (b); Paper 2 (SL and HL data response): time by marks, formula first in calculations; Paper 3 (HL only policy paper): 50 min a question, 5 min to check; Internal assessment (IA): one unit and one key concept per commentary
The drilling mistakes that cost the most marks
| Mistake | What it looks like | What actually happens | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definitions without a diagram | A text-only essay with no supply-and-demand or AD/AS diagram | Part (a) rarely passes half marks | At least one diagram per essay with the shift marked |
| No real-world example in (b) | Abstract theory only, no country or industry | The evaluation band is capped | One real example per part (b) |
| Wrong multiplier or elasticity formula | Written as 1/MPC or %dP / %dQ | The calculation and the explanation after it both fail | Multiplier = 1 / (1 – MPC); PED = %dQ / %dP |
The error log and the mark scheme
Three columns: the question and the judgement taken; which evaluation lines were used and which were missing; whether the loss was mechanism, diagram, evaluation or example. Evaluation slips get one sentence added naming which side outweighs.
How many years should you drill?
Paper 1 runs on mechanism plus evaluation, so five years covers the main topics; command terms and assessment requirements should be read from the current subject guide, with old papers kept for structure.
How many years of past papers is enough?
Paper 1 runs on mechanism plus evaluation, so five years covers the main topics; command terms and assessment requirements should be read from the current subject guide, with old papers kept for structure.
Frequently asked questions
Is this page a mock paper or a drilling guide?
This is the IB Economics Paper 1 drilling guide: assessment structure, drill order, a 12-week timetable, pacing, common mark losses and the error-log method. For questions with answers, use the IB Economics Paper 1 mock papers linked under Related.
By topic or by year first?
By topic. Eight to ten years of the same topic back to back is what exposes repeating errors; going straight to whole papers just repeats the same batch under time pressure.
How should the error log be written?
Do not copy out questions. Per error record four things: question reference, which step failed (concept, wording, calculation), what the mark scheme requires, and the correct action next time.
How long should the evaluation be?
Long enough for a judgement, two reasons and one counter, then stop. Length spent re-explaining earns less, because the marks sit in the judgement.
What if there is no real data to cite?
Use direction and magnitude rather than invented precision, saying it rose, slowed or was inelastic, which satisfies evaluation without fabrication.
Official references
| Resource | What to use it for |
|---|---|
| IB Economics subject page (first assessment 2022) | Confirm the marks, times and weightings of Papers 1-3 and the IA |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-alevel-economics-9708-paper-2-mock-2027/ | A-Level Economics 9708 Paper 2 drilling mock |
Related: practice area · A-Level Economics 9708 drill guide · IB Economics data response drilling mock
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