IB Economics Paper 3 Guide
Prepare for HL policy analysis with quantitative skills, diagrams and reasoned recommendations.
Duration
1h 45m
Two questions
Level
HL
Higher Level only
Marks
60
30 marks x 2
Calculator
Yes
GDC recommended
Paper 1
SLHLMaster structured economic essay writing for microeconomics, macroeconomics and global economics.
Paper 2
SLHLBuild confidence with case-study questions, calculations, diagrams and source-based evaluation.
Paper 3
HLPrepare for HL policy analysis with quantitative skills, diagrams and reasoned recommendations.
- Calculate, interpret and use quantitative results accurately.
- Use diagrams and data to support policy analysis.
- Recommend policies while acknowledging trade-offs and limitations.
- There are two compulsory questions, each worth 30 marks.
- Part (a) is 20 marks and focuses on calculations, interpretation and explanation.
- Part (b) is 10 marks and asks for policy recommendation or evaluation.
- Show all working for calculations, then explain what the number means economically.
- Link policy recommendations to the data rather than giving generic solutions.
- Evaluate using trade-offs, stakeholder impacts, time periods and feasibility.
- Treating Paper 3 like an essay paper and underusing quantitative evidence.
- Making a policy recommendation without explaining opportunity costs or trade-offs.
- Skipping units, labels or interpretation after calculations.
- Practice calculations under timed conditions.
- Revise policy tools for micro, macro and global economics.
- Write short recommendations that balance effectiveness, equity and feasibility.
Ready to practise?
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