Guidance for external assessment (found on Reddit)

Paper 3: Policy (HL only)

Time

1 hour 45 minutes

Weighting

Higher level 30%

Structure

• Students answer every part of both questions. No choices are given.
• The two questions are each subdivided into two main parts: (a) and (b). Part (a) is subdivided into several more parts.

Content

Questions in this paper are drawn from the four units of the syllabus.

Students may use a calculator. A scientific calculator is sufficient. If using a graphic display calculator (GDC), do not use the graphing function to plot, for example, demand and supply graphs from algebraic functions. It does not work well because of the reversal of the dependent (Q) and independent (P) variables on the axes.

Assessment objectives

(See the “Relevant AOs in more detail” section in this document for more detail.) Answers should demonstrate the following assessment objectives (AOs).

AO1—knowledge and understanding AO2—application and analysis

AO3—synthesis and evaluation (only for part (b) answers) AO4—use and application of appropriate skills

Overall advice

• Look carefully at the command terms in each question. In combination with the marks allocated, they indicate the depth required. (See the list of command terms in this “Specific recommendations for each part” section.)
• During the five-minute reading time, look particularly at the part (b) questions. Then, as you work through the part (a) questions, consider how the information in them might be utilized to provide supporting evidence for the analysis and evaluation in the answer to the part (b) question.
• Suggested time allocations
  • Q1 part (a): about 30 minutes in total
  • Q1 part (b): about 20 minutes
  • Q2 part (a): about 30 minutes in total
  • Q2 part (b): about 20 minutes
  • The suggested time allocations reflect the marks awarded—20 marks in total for all the subparts in part (a) and 10 marks for part (b). However, an excellent answer to the part (b) question would probably benefit from more time being allocated to it if the student can work rapidly through the part (a) questions.

Specific recommendations for each part

Part (a) questions [20 marks]

See teaching point 1.