07.+Preparation+for+Exam


 * Useful Resources for Preparation of Econ Exams: **

Key Terms in Economics: Economics A to Z (Many of the terms are relevant to IB Economics)

IB DP Econ Grade:
 * Grade Boundaries (Based on May 2016)
 * Grade Descriptors

Tips on drawing diagrams:
 * Guidance for students on diagrams
 * Accepted labels for axes in diagrams (in IB Econ exams)



Do you want to get a grade 7 in IB Econ? :

Do you want to be successful in exams?

Use graphic organizers in your revision: Graphic Organizers

To know what approach to take to answer, you need to know key command terms used in exam questions:

More suggestions for preparation of Econ exams:

Answering skills for Paper 1:
 * IB Answering Paper 1 Questions
 * The Extended-Response Questions

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Answering skills for Paper 2:

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Answering skills for HL Paper 3:

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">How to answer Evaluation Questions in Paper 1 (Extended Response) part (b) questions, and Paper 2 (Data Response) part (d) questions?
 * <span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","Book Antiqua",Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">Here is how some of the questions will be set: What to evaluate?
 * <span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","Book Antiqua",Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">Click here to get some pointers by Constantine Ziogas, an experienced IB Economics Teacher and author of Economics textbooks and study guides.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Useful websites with revision notes on Development Economics: Development Economics

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">What type of calculator can you use in Paper 3 examinations?:


 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Tips for Revision: **
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%; line-height: 1.5;">Revision of the key terms, concepts, theories and principles:
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Mere reading of the textbooks is not useful. Rote memorization may not be helpful to understanding of important things and probably not useful in exams.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Make your own notes to comprehend the materials.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Use graphic organizers such as mind map, flow chart, Venn diagram, etc. to identify the relevant essential features of those things.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">In economics, economists stress upon the analysis of cause and effect (causal) relationship, so bear in mind while you are revising for the stuff. So remember to identify clearly the 'cause' variable and the 'effect' variable. For example, in the law of demand, price is the 'cause' variable and quantity demanded is the 'effect' variable.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">In order to argue that you have demonstrated internal validity -- that you have shown there's a causal relationship -- you have to "rule out" the plausible alternative explanations, for example, using the ceteris paribus assumption.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Constant practice on drawing out the diagrams:
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Understand why a diagram is drawn like the way it is by linking the explanation to the each curves you put in the diagram.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Label each part at once upon finish drawing. For example, label the vertical axis "Price ($)" or "D" for demand curve once you finish drawing the line;
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Use RULER to assist drawing.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Constant practice on writing out the answers:
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Make use of past paper questions to practise.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Practise short paragraphs writing on explaining concepts/arguments.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Practise how to write paragraphs which are direct, incisive, coherent.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Remember when you write a sentence or a paragraph, try to KISS (Keep It Simple and Sensible).
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Adopt the following answering skills discussed below to answer the questions.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Discuss with Mr Wong your works on how to improve. Doing the questions without knowing where to improve CANNOT help you much to improve your answering skills.


 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Here are some Answering Skills/Techniques to answer the different types of Economics Exam Questions: **

=**Paper 1: 10-mark Questions:**= =With the 10-marker, the examiner is looking for simple understanding and simply knowledge of the concepts/theories. Normally the questions would ask you to explain the difference between to concepts (e.g. the difference between a change in demand and a change in quantity demanded) or to explain some aspects of micro/macro concepts/theories (e.g. how the change in interest rate might have on unemployment). It's important not to waffle!=

<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype,Book Antiqua,Palatino,serif;"> To answer a 10-marker, first **READ** the question carefully to identify identify the **key economics terms** mentioned in the question and **requirement** of the question:
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 18.2px;">**Key economic terms**: These terms will help indicate the topical area that you should based on in your answer. You have to define these terms in your answer. Beware that there may be terms not explicitly mentioned in the question but indeed the underlying concepts needed for the answer.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 18.2px;">**Requirement**: Answer to what is required in the question and do not waffle or overdo your answer, or you will find yourself running out of time. The conclusion of your answer should answer what is asked in the question.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 18.2px;">Then, adopt the "T-A-C" (stands for Terms, Account, Conclusion) to write your answer. In other words, your answer for a 10-marker should divide into three parts -- T, A and C. Remember each part may have more than one paragraph.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 18.2px;">The following is a format for a 10-marker:

=Paper 1: 15-mark Questions:= =The difference between a 10-marker and a 15-marker is that evaluation needs to come in here. By this, you need to think about from different perspectives. For example, if in a situation, as described in the 10-marker question, occurs in real life, is the theory you have learnt appropriate? Would you expect something else to happen? Since in theory, it is based on assumptions, you now might have to consider what would happen if the assumptions have been removed.=

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Adopt the "**D-E-A-L**" approach to DEAL with the 15-mark evaluation questions in Paper 1.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 18.2px;">The following is a format for a 15-marker: <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 18.2px;">

<span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">How to answer Paper 2 Data Response Questions?:
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">2-mark questions:
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">These questions seem simple, however, some answers from students are too superficial to score full marks for these questions. Equally, you should not write too much for these questions. Be precise but concise.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Use 5W1H to think of the important aspects of a key term/concept.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Formulas are acceptable.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">An example and/or a diagram (if applicable) to your definition would prove that you have a sound understanding.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">4-mark questions:
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Normally, these questions require you to draw a diagram and explain a piece of economic concepts/theory.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Two marks are available for the diagram, two for the explanation.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Diagrams should be at least one-third of the page; use a ruler, and properly label the diagrams. In essence, you drop a mark for every mistake you make.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Examples are always recommended to include in your answers.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">In this kind of question, you need to assume your readers have not much of the concepts/theories. You have to explain to them simply and go through the stages. Use lots of phrases like “…this will lead to an/results in …”, “…this is caused by…”, and “…this is shown in the diagram at the point where…”. This last one is essential: answer the question and constantly refer back to the diagram - explicitly use the labels in your diagrams.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">8-mark questions: Scroll up or click the link below for "Answering skills for Paper 2": Advice on answering Data Response questions.pdf
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">This questions questions require you to write a short essay question, but use a lot of the information in the text and/or data.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">You should be paraphrasing (or occasionally using direct quotes) the text often or referring to specific data.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Construct your essay in advance using an essay plan. Spending a few minutes minutes on this will lead to a much higher quality essay.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">It is important that essay-type questions require you to show you depth and breadth of understanding on a topic.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">A good essay should contain a small number of key arguments – perhaps no more than two or three – that have been well explained and justified.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Palatino Linotype&#39;,&#39;Book Antiqua&#39;,Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">A bad essay is where a student just list everything without really go in-depth on discussion.