Economics · IB SL
IB Economics SL — papers & markbands
Extended response (Paper 1), data response (Paper 2) and — at HL — a quantitative/policy paper (Paper 3). Below are the papers you'll sit and how examiners award marks. Practise past papers, learn the markbands, then check your own answers for feedback.
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Economics SL chapters
21 topics · free- 1.1Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost
- 1.2Economics as a social science and the role of models
- 1.3The central concepts: efficiency, equity, sustainability and change
- 2.1Demand and the law of demand
- 2.2Supply and the law of supply
- 2.3Market equilibrium and the price mechanism
- 2.7Market failure: externalities and the environment
- 2.8Market failure: public goods and common pool resources
- 2.10Market structures: perfect competition and monopoly
- 2.11Market structures: monopolistic competition and oligopoly
- 3.2Aggregate demand and aggregate supply
- 3.3Low unemployment
- 3.5Economic growth
- 3.6Economic equality and the role of taxation
- 3.7Demand-side policies: fiscal and monetary policy
- 3.8Supply-side policies
- 4.2Free trade and protectionism
- 4.3Economic integration and the WTO
- 4.6Sustainable development
- 4.7Measuring economic development
- 4.8Barriers to development and economic development strategies
Papers in Economics SL
- Paper 1SL
Practise this paper under timed conditions, then mark against the band descriptors.
- Paper 2SL
Drill the question style, then review the markbands to push into the top band.
How IB marking differs
Unlike point-based A-Level mark schemes, IB uses markbands — examiners place your answer in a level band against descriptors. Knowing the band wording is how you turn a 5 into a 7.
Check your work
Upload a photo of your answer and get structured, criteria-based feedback on where the marks are.
Get feedback →Frequently asked questions
- What papers are in IB Economics SL?
- IB Economics at SL is assessed by Paper 1, Paper 2, plus internal assessment. Extended response (Paper 1), data response (Paper 2) and — at HL — a quantitative/policy paper (Paper 3).
- How is IB Economics marked?
- IB uses markbands and assessment criteria rather than point-based A-Level marking codes — examiners place your response in a level band against descriptors. Our guides show what separates the top band from the middle on each paper.
- Where can I find IB Economics SL past papers?
- Browse every recent Economics SL exam series on our IB Economics past-papers page, organised by session and paper, with mark-scheme guidance for each.
- Is there a free IB Economics course?
- Yes — MarkScheme has a free topic-by-topic IB Economics course with worked examples, flashcards, and criterion practice marking on every syllabus point.
Best free IB Economics resources
Hand-picked, fully legal and free — official IB papers plus the best teacher-made notes and solutions.