Choose an MYP Economics tutor who teaches core concepts with accurate diagrams, applies them to real-world examples and builds the evaluation skills assessed in the Individuals and Societies criteria. MYP Economics often feels new to students, and it lays the foundation for DP Economics. This guide explains what the course covers, where students struggle and how to choose a tutor.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches IB MYP and DP subjects one-to-one.

Key takeaways

• MYP Economics is part of Individuals and Societies.
• It’s assessed with the four I&S criteria.
• Diagrams and real examples are central.
• It prepares students well for DP Economics.

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What is MYP Economics?

MYP Economics is a course within the IB MYP Individuals and Societies subject group that introduces how economies work, including scarcity, markets, supply and demand, and government policy. It’s assessed with the I&S criteria. See the IB Middle Years Programme.

Concept	What students learn
Scarcity and choice	Opportunity cost
Markets	Supply, demand and price
Market failure	Externalities and public goods
Government	Taxes, subsidies and regulation
Macroeconomics	Growth, inflation and unemployment

Where do students lose marks?

Most marks are lost through inaccurate diagrams, explanations that don’t use economic terms precisely, and evaluations that lack balance or real examples. Other problems:

• shifting the wrong curve;
• not explaining the chain of effects;
• generic examples;
• no clear judgement.

Signs your child needs an Economics tutor

• confused by diagrams;
• low criterion D scores;
• difficulty linking theory to the news;
• planning to take DP Economics.

How to choose an MYP Economics tutor: step by step

1. Share recent work and criterion scores.
2. Identify weak concepts or criteria.
3. Book a trial lesson on a supply and demand problem.
4. Check the tutor draws and explains diagrams clearly.
5. Ask about evaluation practice.
6. Agree a plan linked to assessments.

Browse our IB MYP tutors; we can match an economics specialist.

What should a good Economics tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
Diagram skills	Accuracy earns marks
Precise terminology	Criterion A
Real examples	Application
Evaluation	Criterion D
DP awareness	Smooth transition

How to explain a market change

1. Identify the event, such as a rise in costs.
2. Decide which curve shifts and in which direction.
3. Draw the new equilibrium.
4. Explain the effects on price and quantity.
5. Evaluate who gains and who loses.

What does a good lesson look like?

1. A news story linked to a concept.
2. The concept taught with a diagram.
3. A short applied question.
4. An evaluation paragraph.
5. Feedback against the criteria.

Preparing for DP Economics

Students who master diagrams, terminology and evaluation in the MYP start DP Economics with a big advantage. See our guide to choosing an IB economics tutor.

When should students start?

MYP 4 or 5 is the usual time, especially if DP Economics is planned.

How to tell tutoring is working

• accurate diagrams;
• explanations that use economic terms;
• balanced evaluations;
• rising criterion scores.

How parents can help

• discuss prices, jobs and news at home;
• ask your child to explain why prices change;
• encourage reading business news.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. Have you taught MYP Economics?
2. How do you teach diagrams?
3. Can you help prepare for DP Economics?

How much tutoring is enough?

One hour every week or two suits most MYP students.

Common MYP Economics diagrams

Diagram	Used to show
Supply and demand	How prices are set and change
Price ceiling or floor	Effects of government price controls
Tax or subsidy	Effects on price, quantity and revenue
Externality	Over- or under-production
Circular flow	How money moves through an economy

A tutor can practise each diagram until your child can draw, label and explain it from memory.

Using real-world examples

Real examples make economics answers convincing. Encourage your child to follow one or two current issues, such as fuel prices, a new tax or a change in interest rates, and practise explaining them with the concepts and diagrams above. A tutor can bring in recent news to keep lessons relevant.

Investigating in Economics

Criterion B asks students to plan and carry out an investigation, so economics projects need a focused question, suitable data sources and a clear method. For example, a student might investigate how a local café sets its prices. A tutor can help with research skills while the investigation remains the student’s own.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online IB MYP tutoring, including Economics.

• A tutor matched to your child’s MYP year.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See our IB MYP tuition page.

Common mistakes

• Wrong curve shifts → identify the cause first.
• Vague terms → use precise vocabulary.
• No real examples → link to the news.
• No judgement → evaluate and conclude.

Talk to us

For related subjects, see an MYP Individuals and Societies tutor and choosing an IGCSE economics tutor. Or contact our team.

Summary: choose an MYP Economics tutor who teaches accurate diagrams, precise terms and balanced evaluation, preparing your child for DP Economics.

Frequently asked questions

Is Economics taught in the MYP? +

Yes, in many schools. Economics sits within the Individuals and Societies subject group, either as a separate course or as part of integrated humanities, especially in MYP 4 and 5.

How is MYP Economics assessed? +

Using the Individuals and Societies criteria: knowing and understanding, investigating, communicating and thinking critically, each scored 0 to 8.

Does MYP Economics prepare students for DP Economics? +

Yes. It introduces key concepts such as supply and demand, markets and government intervention, and builds the analysis and evaluation skills DP Economics needs.

What do students find hardest? +

Using diagrams accurately, applying concepts to real examples and evaluating policies with balanced arguments.

Does Tutopiya offer MYP Economics tutors? +

Yes. Tutopiya's MYP curriculum includes Economics, taught one-to-one online. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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