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ECONOMICS · IB Diploma Programme

ECONOMICS/22

Paper 2

Economics · 2024 · Variant 2

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.0/5

Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.0 / 5

Total marks

65

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Role of Government Intervention and Equity Policies

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

65

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.0 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

Success in Paper 1 heavily depended on structured evaluations in the 15-mark questions.

2

High-scoring candidates did not just explain subsidies or fiscal policy; they actively weighed their advantages against opportunity costs, welfare losses, and alternative policies (like supply-side strategies).

3

In Paper 2, diagram accuracy was the ultimate differentiator.

4

Candidates who carefully illustrated the shift in the supply of a currency when imports fall, or the contraction of domestic supply during quota removal, easily secured full marks.

5

Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Knowledge and Understanding5
Application and Analysis4
Synthesis and3
Mathematical and2
Diagrammatic1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Knowledge and UnderstandingKnowledge andUnderstandingApplication and AnalysisApplication andAnalysisSynthesis andSynthesis andMathematical andMathematical andDiagrammaticDiagrammatic
SkillWeightShare
  • Knowledge and Understanding

    Weight: 5100%
  • Application and Analysis

    Weight: 480%
  • Synthesis and

    Weight: 360%
  • Mathematical and

    Weight: 240%
  • Diagrammatic

    Weight: 120%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions

Level 7

Excellent — top band for competitive university offers

Level 6

Very good — strong HL performance

Level 5

Good — solid pass at higher level

Level 4

Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits

Level 3

Mediocre

Level 2

Poor

Level 1

Very poor

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

ExplainFrequency: 13

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

EvaluateFrequency: 4

Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.

DefineFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.

CalculateFrequency: 4

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

IdentifyFrequency: 1

Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.

DiscussFrequency: 1

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Part a (Mic30m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 3

Paper 1 Part b (Mic45m / 15 marks

Min per mark: 3

Paper 2 Part g (Dat45m / 15 marks

Min per mark: 3

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Role of government in microeconomics

19 marks this session

Economics of inequality and poverty

15 marks this session

Competitive market equilibrium

10 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Economic growth and/or economic development strategies

15
29
17
61

Role of government in microeconomics

15
19
34

Macroeconomic objectives

25
25

Measuring economic activity and illustrating its variations

20
20

Supply-side policies

19
19

Exchange rates

19
19

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1 (Standard Level):

25 marks75 min

Paper 2 (Standard Level):

40 marks105 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    Success in Paper 1 heavily depended on structured evaluations in the 15-mark questions.

  • 2Message

    High-scoring candidates did not just explain subsidies or fiscal policy; they actively weighed their advantages against opportunity costs, welfare losses, and alternative policies (like supply-side strategies).

  • 3Message

    In Paper 2, diagram accuracy was the ultimate differentiator.

  • 4Message

    Candidates who carefully illustrated the shift in the supply of a currency when imports fall, or the contraction of domestic supply during quota removal, easily secured full marks.

  • 5Message

    Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Economics

Success in Paper 1 heavily depended on structured evaluations in the 15-mark questions. High-scoring candidates did not just explain subsidies or fiscal policy; they actively weighed their advantages against opportunity costs, welfare losses, and alternative policies (like supply

  • Success in Paper 1 heavily depended on structured evaluations in the 15-mark questions.

  • High-scoring candidates did not just explain subsidies or fiscal policy; they actively weighed their advantages against opportunity costs, welfare losses, and alternative policies (like supply-side strategies).

  • In Paper 2, diagram accuracy was the ultimate differentiator.

Total marks
65
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5

Session analysis

Success in Paper 1 heavily depended on structured evaluations in the 15-mark questions. High-scoring candidates did not just explain subsidies or fiscal policy; they actively weighed their advantages against opportunity costs, welfare losses, and alternative policies (like supply-side strategies). In Paper 2, diagram accuracy was the ultimate differentiator. Candidates who carefully illustrated the shift in the supply of a currency when imports fall, or the contraction of domestic supply during quota removal, easily secured full marks.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1 (Standard Level):

25 marks75 min

Paper 2 (Standard Level):

40 marks105 min

Top chapters

Role of government in microeconomics19 marks
Economics of inequality and poverty15 marks
Competitive market equilibrium10 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Competitive market equilibrium10 marks
Role of government in microecon19 marks
Measuring economic activity and4 marks
Elasticity of demand3 marks
Variations in economic activity4 marks
Types of trade protection4 marks
Exchange rates6 marks
Economics of inequality and pov15 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

69% within easy or medium reach

15
30
20
Easy: 15 marksMedium: 30 marksHard: 20 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Explain13 times
Evaluate4 times
Define4 times
Calculate4 times
Identify1 times
Discuss1 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

65Marks
  • Extended / Data-Response Essay

    30·2·46%

  • Diagram & Explanation

    16·4·25%

  • Medium Essay

    10·1·15%

  • Calculations / Short Answer

    5·3·8%

  • Definitions

    4·2·6%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Role of government…Economics of inequ…Elasticity of demandExchange rates

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

320133.82014320153.82016320173.820182.220193.420203.220213.420223.5202332024

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Part a (Mic

0.33 m/min
10
30

Paper 1 Part b (Mic

0.33 m/min
15
45

Paper 2 Part g (Dat

0.33 m/min
15
45

Total marks

40

Total time

120 min

Avg pace

0.33

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

0163349657 estimated6 estimated5 estimated4 estimated3 estimated2 estimated1 estimated102529343842465065

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Demand management (demand-side policies)—monetary policy

85%

85%

Sustainable development

80%

80%

Arguments for and against trade control/ protection

75%

75%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 45min
Total marks
40

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

ECONOMICS/22 — IB Diploma Programme Economics (2024) | Revui