IB

Economics External Assessment (SL Only)

External Assessment Paper 1, SL and HL

Paper 1 SL

Components
Paper 1 has 2 Sections A & B
Both sections have 2 Questions (1 & 2 for Section A and 3 & 4 for Section B)
Each Question has 2 parts: A [10 marks] & B [15 marks]
Students must select and 1 question form Section A and 1 from Section B for
a total of 50 marks (25 for each section)

Command terms to teach/explain students
Part A: AO1 + AO2 + AO4 Part B: A01 + AO2 + AO3 + AO4
AO1 - State, Outline, Define, Describe, List
AO2 Explain, Distinguish, analyses, apply, suggest, and comment
AO3 Compare/Contrast, discuss, evaluate, examine, justify, to what extent
AO4 Construct, derive, determine, draw, identify, label, measure, plot, show
(that), sketch, solve.

Key Issues to explain students

Questions Part A:
1 Both sections are required to draw a full chart and explain it with correct
concept and theory!
2 Student has to know how to correctly label the chart.
3 Students should use an example to comment their ideas and with very low
mistakes.

Questions Part B:
To answer part B questions additionally answer with part A. Points students
must add:
1 An evaluation of strengths and limitations or comparison between concepts
of their answer, depending on the questions.
2 An opinion or conclusion about their answer.
If possible we can teach our students how to answer AO3 Command Terms.





IB Econ SL 2015-2016 City Honors School

RPyszczek@BuffaloSchool.org


External Assessment Paper 2, SL and HL

Two different methods are used to assess students.

Detailed markschemes specific to each examination paper
Markbands

Paper 2 is a "Data Response Question" written paper and students are invited
to answer one question from two on International Economics and one
question from two on Development Economics. Students are granted 60
minutes for answer this paper.

Each of the questions will receive 20 marks making for a total of 40
marks. Paper 2 has a weighting of 40% at SL and 30% at HL.

Paper 2 is designed to allow students to demonstrate their competencies in
relation to the economics assessment objectives and in particular their
knowledge of International and Development Economics.

Students are to be made aware of the different command terms such that they
understand the depth of treatment required.

Students are expected where appropriate to use correctly labeled diagrams. A
question may specify that a diagram is essential but sometimes it will not and
the student must rely on his or her own judgment as to whether the use of a
diagram is a good idea.

Students should try to use examples in their answers and should try to
explain why these examples are appropriate in the context.

Students are expected to be able to define the economic terms used in the
syllabus.









IB Econ SL 2015-2016 City Honors School

RPyszczek@BuffaloSchool.org

Paper 2 (SL and HL)

The questions are each subdivided into four parts, (a), (b), (c) and (d).

Section A

The principal focus is on International Economics.
Students may be required to draw on other sections of the syllabus
The command terms used in each question indicate the depth required


Section B

The principal focus is on Development Economics
Students may be required to draw on other sections of the syllabus
The command terms used in each question indicate the depth required

Although the structure is the same the HL and SL questions may be different.

External Assessment Markbands

Section A and section B

The assessment markbands are used for ALL paper 2 questions. There will be
specific markshemes for specific questions to be used in conjunction with the
markbands.

The markbands for:

Part (a): (i) and (ii) are 0,1 and 2

Parts (b) and (c) are 0,1-2 and 3-4

Part (d) is 0, 1-2, 3-5 and 6-8

Once the markband has been established the marker will decide if the student
is at the lower, middle or upper part of the markband.





IB Econ SL 2015-2016 City Honors School

RPyszczek@BuffaloSchool.org

Key Issues and Concepts for HL only Paper 3 short essay questions.

(DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR COURSE, just included for clarity)

Paper 3 is unique to HL students and is worth 20% of the final IB grade.
Students will write response to 2 of 3 questions.
Total writing time is 1 hour or 60 Minutes.

Total marks available: 50 with each question worth 25 marks (25 X 2=50).
As the questions may cover HL extension material from sections 1-4 of the
syllabus, some of which is quantitative that may require calculations, students
are allowed a graphic display calculator.
Command terms will determine depth of response and the number of parts
for each question will vary.

Markbands are available that represent the generic requirements and marks
assigned to each level. Markschemes are question specific markbands that
are more detailed and tailored to a specific question. It is advised that you
study the markbands and markschemes with exemplars to model proper IB
requirements for each section of the syllabus.

It is also advised that you review the Command Terms and their associated
Assessment Objectives

Assessment objective Paper 3
AO1knowledge and understanding -Yes
AO2application and analysis -Yes
AO3synthesis and evaluation-No
AO4selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and
techniques- Yes
An example markband would be:

Level descriptor Marks 04
0 The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. 0
1 The written response is limited. 12
2 The written response is clear. 34

(DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR COURSE, just included for clarity)

IB Econ SL 2015-2016 City Honors School

RPyszczek@BuffaloSchool.org