IB Economics HL · 2022 to 2025

4.2 Types of trade protection

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HL archive · 2022 to 2026

4.2 Types of trade protection

Latest exam session: May 2026

questions
17
questions
papers
14
papers
exam sessions
7
exam sessions
micro-topics
4

Micro-topics in 4.2 Types of trade protection

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 25

    4.2.1

    Tariffs

    8 questions · in 25% of papersAppears in 8 of the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (25%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P2 TZA

  • 16

    4.2.2

    Quotas and subsidies

    5 questions · in 16% of papersAppears in 5 of the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (16%), at least once each.

    Rising

    last May 26 P3 TZA

  • 3

    4.2.3

    Administrative barriers and other forms of protection

    1 question · in 3% of papersAppears in 1 of the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (3%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last Nov 24 P2

  • 6

    4.2.4

    Calculating welfare effects of trade protection (HL)

    3 questions · in 6% of papersAppears in 2 of the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (6%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last Nov 24 P3

Exam pattern

How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.

Does it repeat?

Questions per year for each micro-topic.

fewermore

Micro-topic20222023202420252026
4.2.1TariffsFrequently tested
2Tariffs, 2022: 2 questions1Tariffs, 2023: 1 question2Tariffs, 2024: 2 questions2Tariffs, 2025: 2 questions1Tariffs, 2026: 1 question
4.2.2Quotas and subsidiesRising · last May 26 P3 TZA
1Quotas and subsidies, 2022: 1 question·Quotas and subsidies, 2023: 0 questions2Quotas and subsidies, 2024: 2 questions1Quotas and subsidies, 2025: 1 question1Quotas and subsidies, 2026: 1 question
4.2.4Calculating welfare effects of trade protection (HL)Occasional
2Calculating welfare effects of trade protection (HL), 2022: 2 questions·Calculating welfare effects of trade protection (HL), 2023: 0 questions1Calculating welfare effects of trade protection (HL), 2024: 1 question·Calculating welfare effects of trade protection (HL), 2025: 0 questions·Calculating welfare effects of trade protection (HL), 2026: 0 questions
4.2.3Administrative barriers and other forms of protectionLess common
·Administrative barriers and other forms of protection, 2022: 0 questions·Administrative barriers and other forms of protection, 2023: 0 questions1Administrative barriers and other forms of protection, 2024: 1 question·Administrative barriers and other forms of protection, 2025: 0 questions·Administrative barriers and other forms of protection, 2026: 0 questions
  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten
  • Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen

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Questions on 4.2 Types of trade protection, by exam session

Which papers asked about 4.2 Types of trade protection, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Economics HL exam sessions are covered for 4.2 Types of trade protection?

8 exam sessions from 2022 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1, 2 and 3 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 14 papers in this archive.

Which 4.2 Types of trade protection topic comes up most?

Tariffs (4.2.1): in 25% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZA. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 3.3 marks in a paper that includes it.

Can I see the original question and mark scheme?

No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.

What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?

Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.

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