IB Economics Paper 1 Strategy

IB Economics Paper 1 is the extended-response paper. At both SL and HL, it tests your ability to write structured economic arguments with definitions, diagrams, and evaluation.

A clear strategy ensures you cover all the marking criteria and manage your time effectively.

Paper 1 format overview

Paper 1 presents questions grouped by syllabus section. Each question has two parts:

• Part (a) — 10 marks: Explain an economic concept using definitions, theory, and diagrams
• Part (b) — 15 marks: Evaluate, discuss, or assess a policy or issue using real-world examples and evaluation

SL students answer one question (25 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes). HL students answer two questions (50 marks, 2 hours 15 minutes).

Time management

• Part (a): ~25 minutes — define, explain, diagram
• Part (b): ~40 minutes — evaluate with structure
• Review: 5-10 minutes

Sharpen your Paper 1 technique by practising with past paper questions and getting AI-powered marking feedback.

Essay structure

For Part (a):

1. Define key terms
2. Explain the economic theory clearly
3. Draw and explain a relevant diagram
4. Give a real-world example if possible

For Part (b), see our guide on structuring 15-mark Economics essays.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a question based on Part (a) alone — check Part (b) first
• Writing Part (a) as a full essay — keep it focused on explanation
• Skipping diagrams in Part (a) — they are usually expected
• No evaluation in Part (b) — evaluation is required for top marks