The New IB Economics Course (1)

I am now a couple of days into teaching the new IB Economics spec and am excited about the challenges that lie ahead.

The course has been structured in the following way:

External Assessment

Paper 1- 90mins, 30% weighting (40% for standard)

• Candidates required to write two essays (choice of two in each section). Section A Microeconomics. Section B Macroeconomics.

Paper 2- 90mins, 30% weighting (40% for standard)

• Data response paper. Candidates required to answer two questions (choice of two in each section.) Section A International Trade. Section B Development Economics.

Paper 3- 60mins, 20% weighting (Higher only)

• Mathematical economics. Students to answer two questions from choice of three.
• Graphic display calculators are allowed.

Comment: choice for candidates has been narrowed; they will be examined on all aspects of the course.

Internal Assessment (20%)

• Students have to submit three commentaries instead of the previous four.
• Marking has been made easier in that each commentary can be marked as an individual piece of work (out of 14).
• Up to three additional marks can be given, for the holistic approach, once entire portfolio has been submitted.

Comment: clearly easier to mark and feedback can be given after each and every piece.

The structure of the course now means that candidates will be examined on every section of the syllabus. Likewise the introduction of the mathematical paper at Higher Level closes the gap between sixth form and undergraduate economics courses.