Answering the Paper 2 Essay (DP IB Economics): Revision Note

How to answer IB Economics Paper 2 fifteen-mark question

• Paper 2 part (g) is a 15-mark data-response evaluation question

• Although it has the same mark allocation as a Paper 1 (b) essay, it assesses different skills and must be approached differently

• In Paper 2, evaluation must be rooted in the stimulus material

  • Economic theory is essential, but it must always be applied directly to the data, text, and context provided

  • Answers that resemble Paper 1 essays are capped, even if the theory is accurate

What examiners are looking for in Paper 2 (g)

• Paper 2 (g) primarily assesses:

  • AO2 (application) – effective and explicit use of the stimulus material

  • AO3 (evaluation) – balanced and context-specific judgment

  • supported by AO1 (knowledge) and AO4 (data interpretation)

• To reach the top mark band, students must:

  • refer explicitly to figures, trends, or information in the stimulus

  • integrate data into analysis and evaluation

  • avoid generic or memorised responses

Structure of a strong Paper 2 essay

• A high-scoring Paper 2 (g) response typically includes:

  1. Introduction

     • Brief definitions of key terms

     • Clear identification of the economic issue in the given context

  2. Analytical paragraphs

     • Relevant economic theory

     • Explicit reference to data from the stimulus

     • Clear cause-and-effect reasoning

  3. Evaluation

     • Strengths and weaknesses of policies or outcomes

     • Short-run vs long-run effects

     • Distributional impacts

     • Limitations of data or policy effectiveness

  4. Conclusion

     • A reasoned judgment directly linked to the evidence provided