From the previous posts, I already introduced general information and tips for Economics paper 2 exam, and apart from them, this will focus more on a specific question type that accounts for the biggest mark within the paper 2 exam and the tips that can improve the quality of your answer for the question type.
Paper 2 in IB Economics is actually the one that has the most dramatic change in exam style. Previously, there were only 4 questions in Paper 2, but now the number of questions has doubled to 7-8, and the weighting of each question has also increased, not to mention the last essay question!
Let’s check your 3 core tips to nail your 15 marks essay question!
Just like the paper 1’s (b) question, this one also asks you to either Evaluate or Discuss which means your essay content should include comprehensive discussion on a given context.
1. Do analyse Pros and cons
Evaluate or Discuss means to analyse both the pros and cons of a policy or situation. For example, the given texts and data illustrate that a government is implementing a certain policy, you need to evaluate it using both the pros and cons of that policy. If this content is not included in your essay, you are not answering the question.
2. Do suggest Alternatives
What should you do after evaluating the pros and cons of a policy or situation presented from the given texts and data in paper 2? It’s time to suggest possible alternatives to that policy. You may propose one or two alternatives and analyse in detail why they can be better.
3. Do refer to and quote the given texts and data
15 marks question in paper 2 is crucially different from the 15-point question in paper 1 in this manner. This is the part that students find most difficult.
In paper 1’s 15 marks essay question, you use real-life examples with the knowledge you have studied to support your analysis and evaluation. In the Paper 2 exam, you will be given a few texts and data to read and analyse, and In order to support your analysis and evaluation, you largely rely on referring to and quoting the given texts and data. This doesn't mean you shouldn't use your own knowledge or examples you have, but the more important and major scoring point is to use the given text and data properly. Please keep this in mind!