IB Economics Evaluation Phrases for Full Marks

Evaluation is the skill that separates a solid IB Economics answer from a top-band one. The easiest way to improve it quickly is to stop writing vague balances and start writing conditional judgments.

This page works best when paired with the 15-mark essay guide so you can see exactly where these phrases belong.

Evaluation phrases that actually help

• "This depends on the elasticity of..."
• "In the short run... however, in the long run..."
• "The effect is likely to be stronger when..."
• "This may benefit producers, but consumers could..."
• "To a limited extent, this policy works because..."

What evaluation means in IB Economics

Evaluation means weighing significance, effectiveness, or limitations. It goes beyond description and asks:

• How significant is this effect?
• Does this work in all situations?
• What are the limitations or assumptions?
• Who benefits and who loses?

Strong versus weak evaluation

The evaluation framework

Use these approaches to generate evaluation points:

• Short run vs long run: Effects often differ over time
• Stakeholder analysis: Different groups are affected differently
• Assumptions: What assumptions does the theory rely on?
• Magnitude: How large is the effect? Does the size matter?
• Context: Does the country's level of development matter?

Common mistakes

• Listing pros and cons: This is not evaluation — you must weigh them and make a judgement
• Adding evaluation as an afterthought: Weave evaluation throughout your answer
• No conclusion: Always state your overall judgement