The IB Economics IA catches many students off guard, and it’s not because the economics is hard.
What trips students up is not understanding what the IA actually is and what examiners want before they even pick an article.
This guide breaks it all down.
What the IB Economics IA Actually Involves
The IB Economics IA is a portfolio of three short commentaries. Each commentary is based on a real-world news article, and each one must be tied to a different unit of the syllabus: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and the Global Economy.
Each commentary has a strict 800-word limit. That is not a guideline. It’s a hard cap. Go over it and you risk losing marks.
At Standard Level (SL), the portfolio counts for 30% of your final grade. At Higher Level (HL), it accounts for 20%. Either way, it carries significant weight, so you want to treat it seriously from the start.
The Five Criteria Examiners Use to Mark Your Work
Before you write a single word, understand how your work will be marked. Every commentary is graded on five criteria, and there are three additional marks for your portfolio as a whole.
| Criterion | What It Tests | Max Marks |
| A – Diagrams | Relevant, accurate, and clearly labeled diagram with full explanation | 3 |
| B – Terminology | Correct use of economic terms in context | 2 |
| C – Application and Analysis | Linking economic theory to the article | 3 |
| D – Key Concepts | Using one of the nine WISE Choices concepts effectively | 3 |
| E – Evaluation | Your judgment and reasoning about outcomes | 3 |
| Portfolio Requirements | Three different syllabus units, different sources, articles within 12 months | 3 |
That gives you a maximum of 45 marks across the full portfolio. To get there, you need every commentary to hit on all five criteria.
The nine key concepts you can draw from are Scarcity, Choice, Efficiency, Equity, Economic Well-Being, Sustainability, Change, Interdependence, and Intervention.
You cannot reuse the same concept across all three commentaries, so plan this from the beginning.
How to Choose the Right Article
This is where students spend too little time — and then regret it later. A good article can make your commentary much easier to write. A poor one will make every step of the process harder.
Here is what a strong article looks like:
- Published within 12 months of writing your commentary (not 12 months before your submission date – before writing the commentary)
- Comes from a reputable source: think the Financial Times, BBC News, The Economist, or The Wall Street Journal
- Focuses on a real economic event with clear, analyzable data
- Has a clear link to one syllabus unit – Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, or the Global Economy
- Leaves room for you to draw at least one original diagram
Avoid opinion pieces. Avoid blogs. Avoid anything that is already full of economic conclusions. Your job is to do the analysis, not restate what a columnist already wrote.
You can explore IB Economics IA topics on Help for Assessment if you need direction before searching for articles.
How to Structure Each Commentary
There is no officially prescribed structure, but a logical flow will help you hit every criterion cleanly. Here is a format that works:
Open With The Context
Introduce the article, name the key economic issue, and state the key concept you will use. Keep this tight, two to three sentences max.
Draw and Explain Your Diagram
Your diagram should show the economic problem clearly. Label the axes, the curves, any intersections or shaded areas. Then explain what the diagram shows in plain terms. Do not assume the reader can interpret it without help.
Apply Economic Theory
This is where you connect the article’s event to what you have learned. If the article is about a government placing a price ceiling on fuel, walk through demand, supply, as well as why a ceiling below the equilibrium creates a shortage. Your analysis must be grounded in the article, not floating in general theory.
Bring in Your Key Concept
One of the most common mistakes students make is mentioning the key concept briefly at the start and never returning to it. Examiners want to see it woven into your analysis, not dropped in as an afterthought.
Evaluate
Do not just describe. Offer your judgment:
- Does the policy solve the problem?
- Who benefits, and who does not?
- What are the limits of the solution?
A good evaluation weighs different perspectives and shows that economic outcomes are rarely black and white.
What Your Diagram Needs to Include
A lot of marks are sitting in Criterion A, and students frequently leave them on the table. A weak diagram – or worse, a missing one – will cost you.
Every diagram in your IB Internal Assessment must have:
- A clear, descriptive title
- Properly labeled X and Y axes
- Labeled curves (supply curve, demand curve, average cost)
- Marked intersections with letters or points (P1, Q1)
- Shaded regions where relevant (deadweight loss, consumer surplus)
You should draw one diagram for the problem and, where applicable, one for the solution. If you merge them into a single diagram, make sure it stays readable and discuss it with your teacher first.
Do You Need Help Writing Your IB Economics IA?
Writing three commentaries that each score well across five criteria is a demanding task — especially when you are managing multiple IB subjects at once.
That is where Help for Assessment comes in.
The team works with IB students specifically. Whether you need a first draft written, your existing commentary reviewed, or full support from article selection through to evaluation, there are writers here who know exactly what IB examiners want.
You can place an order for as little as $12.99 per page, and first-time users get up to 10% off. Every piece is written to your specific syllabus requirements — not from a generic template.
If your deadline is close or you are not confident your commentary hits all five criteria, order your Economics IA here and get started today.