Weekly IB Economics Analytics Report

AD/AS and supply-side shifts caused most errors this week

Aggregate quiz data show strong mastery of simple demand-side policy effects but recurring confusion about supply-side shifts (SRAS vs LRAS) and multi-effect diagrams.

2026-W23

AD/AS and supply-side shifts caused most errors this week

Aggregate quiz data show strong mastery of simple demand-side policy effects but recurring confusion about supply-side shifts (SRAS vs LRAS) and multi-effect diagrams.

Published June 14, 2026

Total attempts (week)

141

Active learners

29

Average score

76.2%

Overall question accuracy

74.7%

Average time per question

20.1s

1. Weekly Overview

Supply-side curve shifts were the weakest area this week.

Class-level performance was solid overall (average score ~76%) with consistent success on straightforward demand-side questions (interest rates, taxes). However, the largest errors concentrated in Unit 3.2 macro topics that require distinguishing SRAS vs LRAS and tracing the short- vs long-run consequences of wage, technology and institutional changes. Time-on-question was unusually high for multi-effect micro diagrams, indicating hesitation or extra working through combined shifts.

Student takeaway: Focus next on Unit 3.2: practice when and why SRAS and LRAS shift (technology, wages, institutions) and rehearse labelled AD/AS diagrams that separate short-run and long-run effects.

2. Key Patterns

Main Insights

Confusion distinguishing SRAS vs LRAS when technology or capacity changes

The weakest item (correct rate ~21.9%) asked which curve shifts when technology is wiped out; many students selected incorrect curves or directions, showing uncertainty about which curves represent short-run versus long-run productive capacity.

Advice: Revise the definitions and diagrams for SRAS and LRAS: link technological change and capital destruction to reductions in productive capacity (LRAS left), and practice labelling both SRAS and LRAS shifts when appropriate.

Strength on straightforward demand-side policy effects

Several AD questions had perfect accuracy (100%), notably those on interest rate cuts and higher income taxes reducing AD; this shows reliable understanding of basic monetary and fiscal transmission to aggregate demand.

Advice: Keep using clear AD reasoning steps (consumer spending, investment, net exports) and apply them to slightly more complex contexts (e.g., combine with simultaneous supply shocks).

Multi-effect diagrams are time-consuming and error-prone

Micro questions that combine opposing effects (e.g., cost-saving AI vs negative media) produced very long average times and below-average accuracy, suggesting students spend a lot of time trying to reconcile simultaneous shifts.

Advice: Practice breaking multi-effect diagram problems into steps: (1) identify each individual effect and its direction, (2) draw each shift separately, (3) combine and annotate net outcomes (price, quantity, welfare).

3. Revision Plan

Priority Areas

Short-run vs long-run supply (SRAS vs LRAS) · 3.2

Lowest accuracy on technology/capacity shift questions; students confuse which curve represents productive capacity.

Action: Work through 5 labelled AD/AS diagrams showing technology loss, productivity gains, and temporary shocks; write one-sentence explanations for curve choice.

Wages, unemployment and AS · 3.2

Errors on questions about nominal wage rises and payroll tax changes indicate unclear links between labour costs, SRAS and unemployment.

Action: Practice causal chains: wage → cost of production → SRAS position → price/output/unemployment; use two worked examples for unions and for tax cuts.

Exchange rates and aggregate demand · 3.2

Mixed answers on depreciation effects suggest inconsistent treatment of net exports component of AD.

Action: Drill 4 scenarios of currency appreciation/depreciation and list impacts on exports, imports, AD and AD curve shift direction.

Multi-effect supply/demand diagrams · 2.2

High time spent and lower accuracy when multiple opposing effects are present.

Action: Practice decomposing combined shifts on paper: draw separate diagrams for each effect then overlay and annotate net changes.

4. Question Evidence

Featured Questions

Most Wrong Questions

QuestionTopicUnitAttemptsCorrectWrongAvg Time
Due to an AI takeover that ends in all technology being wiped out, many firms end up operating with outdated machinery and inefficient production methods. In the three-curve diagram, which curve is most directly influenced and in which direction does it shift?Macroeconomics3.23221.9%78.1%33.4 s
What happens to the economy if the government cuts payroll taxes on firms, reducing the cost of hiring workers?Macroeconomics3.23246.9%53.1%32.7 s
How is the economy affected when nominal wages rise significantly across the economy due to strong trade union bargaining?Macroeconomics3.22334.8%65.2%32.0 s
What happens to aggregate demand if the domestic currency depreciates sharply against major trading partners’ currencies?Macroeconomics3.21850.0%50.0%31.2 s
What is the short-run impact on the economy when the government launches a large infrastructure programme, increasing spending on roads, railways and public transport?Macroeconomics3.22867.9%32.1%35.0 s

Most Correct Questions

QuestionTopicUnitAttemptsCorrectWrongAvg Time
In the short run, what is the effect on aggregate demand when central banks significantly lower interest rates, making it cheaper for firms to borrow and invest in new machinery?Macroeconomics3.222100.0%0.0%55.7 s
How is the economy impacted when there is a significant improvement in worker productivity due to automation?Macroeconomics3.221100.0%0.0%20.6 s
What is the effect on the economy when the central bank cuts interest rates significantly, making both consumer credit and firm borrowing cheaper?Macroeconomics3.220100.0%0.0%13.6 s
What happens to aggregate demand if the government raises income taxes on households, reducing their disposable income?Macroeconomics3.220100.0%0.0%11.4 s
How is the LRAS curve affected if institutions weaken over time, for example through rising corruption and weaker enforcement of property rights?Macroeconomics3.219100.0%0.0%14.1 s

Most Time Spent Questions

QuestionTopicUnitAttemptsCorrectWrongAvg Time
In a single diagram for streaming subscriptions, show the effects of a major cost-saving AI recommendation system and negative media coverage that makes some users cancel their subscriptions.Microeconomics2.21546.7%53.3%1.5 min
A commercial bank receives an initial deposit of $1,000 and the required reserve ratio is 10%. Using the money multiplier formula, calculate how much new credit the banking system created.macroeconomics3.3540.0%60.0%1.3 min
Global coffee prices stay high for several years after a demand surge; in the long run, what happens to the market supply of coffee?Microeconomics2.2616.7%83.3%1.1 min
The government raises the indirect tax on sugary drinks. What happens to the market supply of sugary drinks?Microeconomics2.26100.0%0.0%1.0 min
Farmers expect the price of wheat to fall significantly in the near future. What is likely to happen to the current market supply of wheat?Microeconomics2.2683.3%16.7%57.3 s

5. Conclusion

Next steps

Focus short practice sessions on Unit 3.2 SRAS vs LRAS shifts and on drawing combined diagrams step-by-step; use one timed diagram exercise and two short written explanations per topic this week.

Note: This weekly report is automatically generated and may contain mistakes. Always double-check key points before using them for revision.

This report is based on anonymized aggregate quiz activity for the week; no individual student data is shown.

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