Overview
The IB Economics Internal Assessment is worth 20% of your final Economics grade — often the difference between a 5 and a 7 when exams go wrong. Unlike past papers, the IA is coursework you control months before exams. This guide explains criteria, structure, and the mistakes moderators see every year.
What examiners mark
For the IB Diploma Programme, each commentary is marked on micro/macro/global syllabus link, terminology, diagram(s), analysis, and evaluation/judgement — 14 criteria per commentary, three commentaries total across the course.
Recommended structure
For the IB Diploma Programme, highlight article → define key term → draw and explain labelled diagram → analyse cause/effect using the article → evaluate with stakeholders and time horizons → word limit (~800 words each).
Workflow for a top-band IA
For the IB Diploma Programme, bank articles weekly from reputable sources. One diagram minimum, fully explained. End with "overall, …" judgement, not a summary.
Common pitfalls
For the IB Diploma Programme, article not syllabus-linked; diagram not explained; description without analysis; no evaluation; exceeding word count.
Criterion practice on MarkScheme
Draft sections can be checked against IB assessment language — [get feedback on your IA writing](/mark?subject=ib-economics-sl) where supported, and use syllabus [lessons](/ib/courses/economics-sl) to strengthen methodology and subject vocabulary.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.
HL vs SL commentaries?
Same structure — HL may expect slightly deeper policy discussion; check current guide.
Can articles repeat topics?
You need variety across micro, macro, and the global economy where required.
Practice?
Draft one commentary per month; pair with Economics past papers.