Wednesday 6 July 2011

IB Economics Paper 1 SL details (First examination 2013)


In this post we are going to discuss in details Economics Paper 1 for SL students (as per the new syllabus with first examination in 2013).

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 40%
Maximum for paper 1 is 50 marks.

The structure of this paper is the same as HL paper 1 but the questions that require extended responses may be the same as, or different from, the HL paper 1 questions.
• Students answer two questions in total, one from section A and one from section B.
• In each section, students are required to answer one question from a choice of two.
• The questions are each subdivided into two parts, (a) and (b).

Section A
• The principal focus is on section 1 of the syllabus—microeconomics.
• While the principal focus of the questions is on section 1, it is likely that students will be required to draw on other sections of the syllabus.
• The command terms used in each question, or part thereof, indicate the depth required.
• Part (a) of each question requires knowledge and understanding, application and analysis and the selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques. The maximum for this part is 10 marks.
• Part (b) of each question requires knowledge and understanding, application and analysis, synthesis and evaluation, and the selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques.
The maximum for this part is 15 marks.
• The section A question is worth a total of 25 marks.

Section B
• The principal focus is on section 2 of the syllabus—macroeconomics.
• While the principal focus of the questions is on section 2, it is likely that students will be required to draw on other sections of the syllabus.
• The command terms used in each question, or part thereof, indicate the depth required.
• Part (a) of each question requires knowledge and understanding, application and analysis, and the selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques. The maximum for this part is 10 marks.
• Part (b) of each question requires knowledge and understanding, application and analysis, synthesis and evaluation, and the selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques.
The maximum for this part is 15 marks.
• The section B question is worth a total of 25 marks.

Responses are assessed with an analytic markscheme specific to the question paper, which indicates the required responses, any particular breakdown of marks and the markbands used to allocate marks.


source: IB Economics Guide (first examination 2013)