European Baccalaureate Economics exam-day guide
European Baccalaureate Economics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Candidate identification document
Bring the photo ID your school or examination centre requires. The exact accepted documents (national ID, passport, school card) are set by the centre, so confirm with the provider which form is valid and whether a photocopy is acceptable.
Examination timetable and room allocation
Download or print the personalised timetable showing subject, date, start time, duration and room. Confirm the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time. Room and seat allocation are centre-specific: confirm with the provider.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two) plus spares
Written Economics answers are normally completed in ink. Bring several working pens of the same colour and a spare cartridge or second pen, since running out mid-essay wastes time you cannot recover.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Needed for rough diagrams, tables and any multiple-choice answer sheet. Even if diagrams are drawn in ink, a pencil lets you plan graphs and cross out errors cleanly before committing.
Ruler
Essential for labelled axes, straight demand and supply lines, and shift arrows on diagrams. A transparent ruler is safest if the centre restricts opaque pencil cases.
Non-programmable calculator
Useful for elasticity, percentage change, index numbers, multiplier and GDP-per-capita calculations. Check the centre's permitted-models list and whether programmable or graphing calculators are banned: confirm with the provider.
Clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many centres require a transparent container so invigilators can check contents without opening it. If unsure, carry items loose in a clear bag and confirm the provider's rule.
Analogue or simple wristwatch
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones are prohibited at the desk. A basic watch lets you allocate time across sections. Smartwatches are normally banned, so leave them at home.
No notes, textbooks or electronic devices at the desk
Leave revision notes, phones, earbuds and smart devices outside the exam room or in the designated area. Possession at the desk can be treated as malpractice even if unused.
Water in a transparent bottle, label removed
Hydration helps concentration over a long paper. Many centres require a clear bottle with labels removed; confirm the provider's food and drink policy, including whether small snacks are allowed.
Plan your arrival and transport
Work out the route and add a buffer for delays. Arriving late can cost reading time and may affect admission to the room; the late-admission rule is centre-specific, so confirm with the provider.
Know the paper's structure and mark allocation in advance
Before the day, confirm the number and weighting of sections, whether questions are compulsory or chosen, and the total duration. This determines how you split your time, so verify against the official specification rather than memory.
Plan the day
Confirm the logistics: exact date, start and reporting times, room, permitted calculator and ID. Re-read the official specification for the paper's structure, section weightings and command words (define, explain, analyse, evaluate). Build a one-page summary of core diagrams, formulas and definitions, and stop learning brand-new topics after this point.
Do timed practice under exam conditions: one full paper or one long essay plus data-response question, writing by hand. Mark it against the criteria, focusing on whether evaluation is developed and whether diagrams are fully labelled. Identify your two weakest areas and revise only those.
Consolidate rather than cram. Review your summary sheet, rehearse diagram construction from memory (axes, labels, equilibrium, shifts, welfare areas) and practise structuring essays: definition, mechanism, diagram, evidence or example, evaluation, judgement. Prepare your equipment bag and lay out clothes and ID.
Do a light review only, then stop. Check transport and set two alarms. Eat normally, avoid all-night revision and aim for a full night's sleep. Pack the bag with pens, pencil, ruler, calculator, ID, timetable and water, and place it by the door. Confirm the centre's arrival instructions once more.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and avoid last-minute discussion of topics with other candidates, which tends to trigger panic. Hand in phones and notes as instructed. Once seated, read the front cover, check the number of pages and confirm the instructions before the start signal.
Read the whole paper or all questions before writing. Note the marks per question and convert them into minutes, allowing roughly one minute per mark plus reading and checking time, adjusted to the actual duration. Decide which optional questions you will answer and in what order, starting with the one you know best but never skipping a compulsory section.
Answer in the required format, showing working for calculations and labelling every diagram with title, axes and curves. Use economic terminology precisely and link each point to the question's context. For evaluation questions, weigh both sides and reach a supported judgement rather than listing points. If stuck, leave space and move on.
Stop writing new content and check: every required question attempted, question numbers and page references correct, units and percentages stated, diagrams labelled, and no answers left in the wrong section. Cross out rough work you do not want marked. Use remaining time to strengthen an evaluation paragraph rather than to start a new point.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identification the centre requires; if you are unsure which documents are accepted or what to do if yours is lost, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Electronic devices, including phones, smartwatches and earbuds, must be switched off and stored outside the desk area. Keep them out of pockets at the desk to avoid any suspicion of malpractice.
Do not communicate with other candidates once inside the examination room, and do not borrow equipment during the paper. Raise your hand and wait for the invigilator if you need anything.
Breaks and toilet access are at the invigilator's discretion and are usually accompanied. Confirm the centre's policy in advance, and plan fluid intake so you do not lose writing time.
Marks are awarded for economic reasoning, correct use of terminology, accurate diagrams and developed evaluation, not for length alone. A concise, well-structured answer with a labelled diagram usually scores better than a long unstructured one.
Show all working in calculations and state units and direction of change. Method marks are often available even when the final figure is wrong, so never leave a calculation blank.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or you feel unwell, tell an invigilator immediately and follow the centre's procedure. Special consideration rules and deadlines are set by the provider, so confirm them rather than assuming.
Academic honesty applies throughout: no unauthorised materials, no impersonation and no attempt to view others' work. The exact penalties and appeals process are governed by the provider's regulations; confirm the details with them.