Evaluation is the skill that separates good Economics answers from excellent ones. Without evaluation, you cannot reach the top marking bands in either Paper 1 or Paper 2.
Many students struggle with evaluation because they confuse it with simply presenting advantages and disadvantages. True evaluation requires judgement.
What evaluation means in Economics
Evaluation means assessing the significance, effectiveness, or validity of an economic argument. It goes beyond description to ask:
- How significant is this effect?
- Does this work in all situations?
- What are the limitations or assumptions?
- Who benefits and who loses?
Strong vs weak evaluation
Weak: "There are advantages and disadvantages to this policy."
Strong: "While a minimum wage can reduce income inequality, its effectiveness depends on the elasticity of demand for labour. In sectors with inelastic demand, the employment effect is minimal. However, in highly competitive sectors, job losses may outweigh income gains."
Want to see how examiners would score your evaluations? Try our IB Past Paper Feedback tool for instant marking feedback.
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
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