What's the difference between a 10-marker and a 15-marker and how would I go about answering these?

These essay style questions create the bulk of your micro/macro studies, and it's important to know how to answer them effectively and efficiently.

With the 10 mark style questions, the examiner is looking for simply knowledge or simple understanding. Normally the question would ask you to describe the difference between two concepts, or ask you to explain some aspect of micro/macro. It's important not to waffle. For the 10-markers, you do not need an introduction/conclusion paragraph, one sentence for each is more than enough. Other than that, just answer the question and make sure not too write too much, or you'll find yourself running out of time. Include 2 diagrams at most, you should normally only need 1, or none at all.

With 15 mark style questions, you need to explain, analyse and EVALUATE. This is the key difference is the fact that evaluation needs to come in here. By this, I mean that you need to think about how strong your arguments are. For example, if such a situation, as described in the questions, occurs in real life, is the theory you have learnt appropriate? Would you expect something else to happen? If you're drawing diagrams, you need to justify them by using them to help your explanation. Don't include them just for the sake of it. Include 3 diagrams maximum, you'd normally only need 2. Also do not deviate from the question. E.G. if it's asking you about efficiency between perfect competition and monopoly, there's no real reason to bring in monopolistic competition or oligopalies (for HL).