How to complete an effective IB Economics IA Portfolio

What Is the IB Economics IA Portfolio?

The Internal Assessment in IB Economics consists of a portfolio of three commentaries, each based on a different published news article or media source. Each commentary should be between 650 and 800 words and must cover a different section of the syllabus: microeconomics, macroeconomics, and the global economy. Together, the three commentaries make up 20% of your final Economics grade at both SL and HL. You may also find our resource on IB economics syllabus new pattern changes helpful. (This guide has been for 2025-26 submissions.)

Unlike other IB IAs that require original research or experiments, the Economics IA asks you to apply economic theory to real-world events. This makes it both more accessible and more challenging — accessible because the articles are already written for you, but challenging because you need to demonstrate genuine analytical depth in a very tight word count.

Many students struggle with transforming raw economic concepts into polished, mark-earning commentaries. Understanding how to select strong articles, construct effective analyses, and craft robust evaluations is the foundation of a top-scoring portfolio.

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Understanding the Assessment Criteria

Each commentary is marked out of 14 marks, giving a total of 42 marks for the portfolio. The same five criteria apply to each commentary.

Criterion A: Diagrams (3 marks)

You must include relevant, correctly drawn, and fully labelled economic diagrams. Each commentary should contain at least one diagram, though two is often appropriate. Diagrams must be directly related to the analysis in your commentary — do not include a diagram just because it looks relevant. Every diagram must be referenced and explained in your text.

Criterion B: Terminology (2 marks)

You should use economic terminology accurately and appropriately throughout your commentary. This means using the correct technical terms (price elasticity of demand, aggregate supply, comparative advantage) rather than everyday language. Avoid using jargon incorrectly, as this will cost you marks rather than earn them.

Criterion C: Application (2 marks)

This criterion assesses how well you apply economic concepts to the specific real-world situation described in your article. You must go beyond general theory to show how it applies to the particular case. Use specific data, facts, and details from your article to support your analysis.

Criterion D: Analysis (3 marks)

This is the most demanding criterion. You need to explain how economic theory works in the context of your article, showing cause-and-effect relationships and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the economic concepts involved. Strong analysis connects theory to the real-world situation at multiple levels.

Criterion E: Evaluation (4 marks)

Evaluation carries the most marks and is where most students fall short. You must make judgements about the effectiveness of policies, the likely outcomes of economic events, or the limitations of economic models when applied to the real world. Consider different stakeholders, short-run versus long-run effects, and the assumptions underlying your analysis.

Choosing the Right Articles

Article selection is one of the most important decisions you will make for your Economics IA. A good article makes the commentary much easier to write, while a poor article creates unnecessary difficulties.

What Makes a Good Article

Look for articles that focus on a specific economic event, policy, or issue rather than broad overviews. The best articles contain data and specific details you can reference. They should clearly relate to identifiable economic concepts and lend themselves to diagrammatic analysis. Articles from reputable news sources like The Economist, Financial Times, BBC, or national newspapers tend to work well.

What to Avoid

Avoid articles that are too broad or cover multiple economic issues simultaneously. Steer clear of opinion pieces that contain more commentary than factual reporting. Do not choose articles that are too old — ideally, your article should have been published within one year of writing your commentary. Also avoid articles that only marginally relate to economics or that would require you to stretch the economic analysis.

Covering the Three Sections

You need one commentary from each section of the syllabus. For microeconomics, look for articles about market failures, government intervention in specific markets, price controls, taxation, or firm behaviour. For macroeconomics, seek articles about inflation, unemployment, fiscal or monetary policy, or economic growth. For the global economy, find articles about trade agreements, exchange rates, trade barriers, economic development, or globalisation. For extensive guidance on topic selection, explore our comprehensive resource on 20 topic ideas for Economics IAs. For more on this, see our guide on finding Economics IA examples.

Structuring Your Commentary

Introduction

Begin with a brief summary of the article (two or three sentences) and identify the key economic issue. State which economic concepts and theories you will apply. Keep this concise — in a 650-to-800-word commentary, you cannot afford to spend more than 80 to 100 words on the introduction.

Main Body: Application and Analysis

This is the core of your commentary. Introduce the relevant economic theory, then apply it specifically to the situation described in your article. Include your diagrams here, explaining how they illustrate the economic relationships at play. Use data and details from the article to support your points. Aim for two or three well-developed analytical paragraphs rather than many superficial ones.

Evaluation

Dedicate a substantial portion of your commentary (at least 150 to 200 words) to evaluation. Consider the limitations of the economic models you have applied. Discuss short-run versus long-run effects. Analyse the impact on different stakeholders. Question the assumptions underlying your analysis. Suggest alternative outcomes or policies. Strong evaluation demonstrates mature economic thinking.

Conclusion

Wrap up briefly with a balanced overall assessment. This should reflect the nuanced thinking from your evaluation rather than simply restating your earlier analysis.

Drawing Effective Diagrams

Diagrams are central to the Economics IA and are worth a significant portion of your marks. Follow these guidelines for maximum impact.

Technical Requirements

Every diagram must have a title, correctly labelled axes, clearly marked curves or lines, and indicators showing shifts or movements. Use arrows to show the direction of shifts. Label equilibrium points clearly (P1, Q1 for initial; P2, Q2 for new equilibrium). If you draw supply and demand diagrams, ensure the axes show "Price" and "Quantity" with the correct labels for what is being measured.

Integration With Text

Every diagram must be explicitly referenced in your written analysis. Do not just include a diagram and expect the examiner to make the connection. Explain what the diagram shows, how it relates to the article, and what the shift or movement represents in the real-world context you are analysing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Exceeding the word count

The 800-word maximum is strictly enforced. If your commentary exceeds 800 words, the examiner will stop reading at 800 words and any evaluation or analysis beyond that point will not be credited. Practice writing concisely and editing ruthlessly.

2. Describing the article instead of analysing it

Many students spend too much of their word count summarising the article rather than applying economic theory. The examiner has read your article — they do not need a detailed summary. Focus on analysis and evaluation.

3. Including irrelevant diagrams

A diagram that does not directly support your analysis will not earn marks and wastes space in your commentary. Every diagram should be essential to your argument, not decorative.

4. Weak or missing evaluation

Evaluation is worth the most marks but is the criterion where students most commonly underperform. If your commentary reads as a straightforward application of theory without questioning assumptions, considering alternative perspectives, or weighing different outcomes, you are leaving marks on the table.

5. Choosing articles that are too similar

Each commentary must demonstrate different economic concepts. If all three articles essentially cover supply and demand, you will miss opportunities to show the breadth of your economic understanding. Ensure genuine variety across your portfolio.

Early Engagement Gets You Started

Beginning your Economics IA planning early in your course gives you time to find strong articles, understand which economic concepts each article best illustrates, and develop robust commentaries. Starting with clear article selection and structured analysis prevents last-minute scrambling and ensures each commentary meets its full potential.

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Our Economics tutors have guided hundreds of students through the IA portfolio process. Whether you need help with article selection, diagram construction, strengthening your analysis, or perfecting your evaluation sections, we'll match you with a tutor who knows exactly what examiners want. For additional context on IB Economics strategies, review our guide on 5 pieces of advice for an IB Economics student. Find your tutor →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct structure for an IB Economics IA portfolio?

The IB Economics IA portfolio consists of three commentaries, each approximately 600–750 words, analysing real economic articles or data sources. Each commentary must address stimulus materials (typically economic articles, statistics, or case studies) and structure your analysis around specific economic concepts and theories relevant to your IB curriculum. The portfolio should demonstrate breadth across different economic topics—ideally incorporating microeconomic, macroeconomic, and development economics content. Your portfolio should be organised with clear sections for each commentary, including the stimulus material and your analytical response, making it easy for examiners to identify where you've applied specific economic concepts.

How do I select appropriate articles or economic sources for my commentaries?

Choose articles from reputable economic publications—newspapers with strong business sections, economic journals, or official statistical publications—that discuss current or recent economic phenomena. The article should clearly relate to economic concepts within the IB syllabus; avoid sources that are purely journalistic or lack substantive economic content. Ensure the article is recent enough to demonstrate engagement with contemporary economics, though older sources discussing significant historical economic events are also acceptable. Select diverse sources: some commentaries might analyse newspaper articles, whilst others might analyse government statistical reports or economist analyses, providing variety in your portfolio evidence.

How should I balance microeconomic and macroeconomic commentaries within my portfolio?

The IB syllabus encompasses both microeconomics (consumer behaviour, firm decisions, market structures) and macroeconomics (national income, inflation, exchange rates, economic growth). Your portfolio should demonstrate confident application of concepts from both branches; typically, aim for at least one strong microeconomic and one macroeconomic commentary, with your third commentary addressing either branch depending on your knowledge. Balancing both areas shows breadth of understanding and prevents the portfolio from appearing one-dimensional. When selecting articles, explicitly consider whether they address supply and demand dynamics, firm behaviour, or national economic indicators, ensuring your final portfolio covers different economic domains.

What word count guidelines should I follow, and how does this affect quality?

Each commentary should be approximately 600–750 words, with examiners emphasising that quality of economic analysis matters far more than achieving a specific word count. Brief commentaries that develop sophisticated analysis of a few key concepts will score higher than longer responses with superficial coverage of many topics. Structure your response to introduce the stimulus article and relevant economic concepts, develop the analysis by applying theory to real economic situations, and conclude by evaluating the implications of the economic phenomenon. Conversely, avoid excessively long commentaries that repeat analysis or include unnecessary background information; concise, focused writing that demonstrates command of economic concepts is always preferable. Explore our detailed guide on scoring a 7 in Math HL for more tips.

What mistakes should I avoid to ensure my portfolio achieves a high grade?

Common pitfalls include selecting articles lacking clear economic content, merely summarising the article without providing economic analysis, or applying concepts superficially without demonstrating genuine understanding. Avoid generic statements like "supply and demand affects prices" without specific application to the scenario; examiners reward precise, contextual economic reasoning. Some students neglect to link multiple concepts together; strong commentaries show how concepts interconnect—for example, discussing how exchange rates affect both import/export competitiveness and macroeconomic stability. Additionally, ensure you select articles that genuinely interest you, as authentic engagement typically produces more thoughtful analysis than selecting sources purely because they're easily accessible.

How can I ensure my commentaries demonstrate authentic economic thinking and boost my overall grade?

Move beyond textbook definitions by engaging critically with the economic concepts your article raises; ask yourself whether the phenomenon described aligns with theory, what assumptions might be questioned, and what real-world factors might complicate theoretical predictions. Include quantitative analysis where relevant—citing specific statistics from your article and calculating simple ratios or percentage changes to strengthen your analytical arguments. Demonstrate awareness of diverse economic perspectives; for instance, discuss both free-market and interventionist viewpoints when analysing government economic policy. Your portfolio should reveal genuine curiosity about economic problems in the real world rather than mechanical application of economic models. For detailed guidance on selecting articles and structuring effective commentaries, explore our find-tutor service and review expert advice on 20 topic ideas for Economics IAs.