Economics exams

Paper 1
y

4 questions, each with Part A (10 marks) and part B. (15 marks) o First will be to explain a concept (1st order thinking) o Second will be to evaluate or discuss (higher order thinking) Use 5 min reading time to work out each question o Spend no more than 20 min on part A o Leave 40 min for part B

Paper 2
y y y y

Answer 3 out of 6 questions Each question worth 10 marks Exam is hour long = 20 min per question Questions are generally short answer, lower order thinking questions (what/why)

Paper 3
y y y

y y y

Data response 2 hours Answer 3 out of 5 data responses, each one is based on one topic of the syllabus o Each question has parts a.b.c.d. o A= 2 definitions (2 marks each) (8 min) o B = explains something/ generally a diagram or calculate question (4 marks) o C = explain something (often using diagram) (4 marks) o D = essay question ( using your own knowledge of economics ) (8 marks)  Evaluation  Need depth and breadth (higher order thinking) Make sure you have plenty for C/D It s not a comprehension so don t copy out extracts of the text However, use both the text and data available to illustrate your answer

General Tips
y

y y y y y

Spoon feed the marker o Highlight key words o Use subheadings o Use point form is appropriate/necessary Generally to get all of the marks you need to be hitting all of the must includes in the criteria and also some of the may includes Work with your strengths/what you re good at Relate all questions to topic it s covering o Apply theory and analyse it (that hat marker is looking for) Be rigid with time management Consider social factors as well as economic (STEEPLE) o S: social o T: technological o E: Economic o E: Environmental o P: Political (privatisation/nationalisation, popularity) o L: Legal o E: ethical considerations (externalities/ profit satisfaction) Try for a diagram per Question, if in doubt do it. (unless unnecessary, i.e development question or definition) o Don t do a diagram however if it is irrelevant to the question o Make diagrams have a page (no mucking around) o Use a couple of colours to make them clear o Label everything (headings with units) and annotate if needed o Remember arrows on axis and lines etc o Do not over load them with info do 2 or 3 instead o Not labelling diagrams correctly will lose you marks! o Integrate your diagrams into your answer ( this is shown in the diagram below ) Definitions o Say at least 2 things o Fact enhance example Remember 3 orders of thinking o 1st order (what) (explain what is happening/definition questions) o 2nd order (why) (diagrams/analysis questions) o 3rd order (so what) Get stuck into evaluate questions to get the higher marks

Cannot just list things, you actually need to rank ideas according to how good they are (i.e. how effective different policies are).

Definitions, diagrams, discussion