Economics · Economics commentary (one of the three IA portfolio commentaries)
IB Economics Internal Assessment
Upload your Economics commentary (one of the three IA portfolio commentaries) and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the official IB Economics internal assessment commentary criteria A–E (first assessment 2022). The full IA is a portfolio of three 800-word commentaries (criteria A–E per commentary, 14 marks each) plus portfolio-wide criterion F (rubric requirements, 3 marks); this review grades one commentary against criteria A–E. Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 14 marks total
Your Economics commentary (one of the three IA portfolio commentaries) is graded against 5 criteria. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Diagrams
Relevant, accurate and correctly labelled diagram(s) included, with a full explanation. The best commentaries use dynamic diagrams — showing the shifts and movements the article describes — and explain every element that appears in them.
Terminology
Terminology relevant to the article used appropriately throughout the commentary. The goal is fluent, correct use of the language of economics in context — not defining every term.
Application and Analysis
Relevant economic theory applied to the article throughout the commentary, with effective economic analysis — the theory explains the events in the article rather than being recited in the abstract.
Key Concept
One of the nine key concepts (scarcity, choice, efficiency, equity, economic well-being, sustainability, change, interdependence, intervention) identified and its link to the article fully explained — used as a lens framing the analysis, not mentioned in passing.
Evaluation
Judgments supported by effective and balanced reasoning — for example short-run vs long-run implications, impacts on different stakeholder groups, assumptions behind the theory, and a prioritized, substantiated conclusion. Evaluate what is in the article; do not invent alternative policies the article never mentions.
Common mistakes to avoid
Diagrams
Static diagram where the article describes a change (no shifted curves)Axes, curves or equilibria left unlabelledDiagram included but never explained in the textDiagram not connected to the specific situation in the article
Terminology
Everyday language where precise economic terms existLong definition lists that eat the word count instead of applied usageTerms used incorrectly or in the wrong contextTerminology only in the introduction, not sustained throughout
Application and Analysis
Theory explained in textbook terms without linking to the articleParaphrasing the article instead of analysing itAnalysis that drifts from the article's actual events or dataOnly describing what happened, never explaining why (the economic mechanism)
Key Concept
Key concept named once in the introduction and never returned toConcept chosen that doesn't fit the article's economicsLink to the article asserted but not explainedUsing the same key concept as another commentary in the portfolio
Evaluation
Judgments stated without reasoning to support themOne-sided evaluation (no balance of winners and losers)Proposing alternative policies not mentioned in the articleNo consideration of short-run vs long-run or stakeholder impacts
Common questions
How is the IB Economics Economics commentary (one of the three IA portfolio commentaries) marked?
Your Economics commentary (one of the three IA portfolio commentaries) is marked against 5 criteria totalling 14 marks using the official IB Economics internal assessment commentary criteria A–E (first assessment 2022). The full IA is a portfolio of three 800-word commentaries (criteria A–E per commentary, 14 marks each) plus portfolio-wide criterion F (rubric requirements, 3 marks); this review grades one commentary against criteria A–E. Your teacher marks first, then the IBO moderates a random sample from your school — so your mark may be adjusted up or down if the moderator consistently disagrees with your teacher.
What is the most important criterion in the IB Economics IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Diagrams". Focus on what the mark band descriptor says for the top score and make sure every element it mentions is present in your submission.
Can I use AI to help with my Economics IA?
The IBO allows AI for feedback and research support, but the submitted work must be entirely your own. iBacalao gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on your draft — the same kind of comment your teacher would give — without generating any text for your IA.