Back to resources

Official IB Economics IA criteria

Read the official IB Economics Internal Assessment criteria with markbands, guiding questions, and notes. Use the selectors to switch subject, level, or component; the optional AI grading prompt stays at the bottom for self-review.

Step 1 — what are you working on?

Step 2 — narrow it down

Group
Subject
Level

Official criteria

Economics · All · Internal assessment portfolio

6 criteriaTotal 17 marks

Criterion A: Diagrams

3 marks
  • 0

    The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1

    Relevant diagram(s) are included but not explained, or the explanations are incorrect.

  • 2

    Relevant, accurate and correctly labelled diagram(s) are included, with a limited explanation.

  • 3

    Relevant, accurate and correctly labelled diagram(s) are included, with a full explanation.

Criterion B: Terminology

2 marks
  • 0

    The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1

    Economic terminology relevant to the article is included in the commentary.

  • 2

    Economic terminology relevant to the article is used appropriately throughout the commentary.

Criterion C: Application and analysis

3 marks
  • 0

    The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1

    Relevant economic theory is applied to the article with limited analysis.

  • 2

    Relevant economic theory is applied to the article throughout the commentary with appropriate economic analysis.

  • 3

    Relevant economic theory is applied to the article throughout the commentary with effective economic analysis.

Criterion D: Key concept

3 marks
  • 0

    Either the work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below or the key concept identified has already been used in another commentary.

  • 1

    A key concept is identified and there has been an attempt to link it to the article.

  • 2

    A key concept is identified and the link to the article is partially explained.

  • 3

    A key concept is identified and the link to the article is fully explained.

Criterion E: Evaluation

3 marks
  • 0

    The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1

    Judgments are made that are supported by limited reasoning.

  • 2

    Judgments are made that are supported by appropriate reasoning.

  • 3

    Judgments are made that are supported by effective and balanced reasoning.

Criterion F: Rubric requirements

3 marks
  • 0

    The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1

    One rubric requirement is met.

  • 2

    Two rubric requirements are met.

  • 3

    Three rubric requirements are met.

Optional: AI grading prompt

For self-review only

A copyable prompt that embeds the criteria above and asks an AI to grade the work criterion by criterion. Use it as a draft sanity check — not a substitute for teacher or examiner feedback.

Common questions

Where do the criteria come from?

The criteria are stored locally in a structured database that mirrors the official IB descriptors. The page only displays them — descriptor wording is preserved as written, with no paraphrasing.

Why pick subject, level, and component?

The criteria differ by assessment type, subject, level, and component. The selectors at the top filter the database to the criteria set that applies to your specific submission.

What is the AI grading prompt at the bottom for?

It is an optional helper. The prompt embeds the same criteria you see above and asks an AI to evaluate the work criterion by criterion. Useful for a quick self-review before teacher feedback.

Is my work sent anywhere?

No. The page only loads criteria. If you choose to use the AI prompt, you copy it manually and paste it into the AI tool of your choice — nothing leaves this page.

More IB resources

Other tools that pair well with the official criteria.

View all resources