Pearson

Edexcel AS and A Level

in Economics A

SPECIFICATION MAPPING
Staying with or switching to Pearson Edexcel Economics A
Switchin
ng to Pearrson Edexc
E cel
Eco
onomics A

Conttents
Intro
oduction
n 2 
C
Changes to
t content 2 
C
Changes to
t assessm
ment 3 
M
Mapping to the 2008
8 specifica
ations 3 
Speciification
n map: from
f 200
08 Pearrson Ede
excel 4 
Speciification
n map: ffrom 200
08 AQA 7 
Speciification
n map: from
f 200
08 OCR 11 
 A level Econ
nomics A specificatio
on maps

Intro
oduction

W
Whether you u are thinking of staying with or switching to
t Pearson Edexcel forr the
20
015 AS and d A level Ec
conomics A specificatio
ons, this doocument is an easy re
eference
gu
uide to helpp you identtify key com
mparisons and
a differen
nces between the
sp
pecifications.
Th
he Getting Started Gu uide for AS and A level Economics A – availa able free on
n the
Ecconomics pages
p of thee Edexcel website
w – in
ncludes deta
ailed coverrage of the
prrinciples be
ehind all the
e changes and
a the suppport availa
able to help
p you deliveer the
neew courses from 2015 5.

Changes to
o contentt
In
n developing the 20155 specifications we hav
ve retained
d the streng
gths of the 2008
Ec
conomics specification
ns:
● engaging
g and relev
vant content
● developm
ment econo
omics
● global fo
ocus
hanges hav
Ch ve been ma ade to the specificatio
s n content and
a the ass
sessments to
t
en
nsure the revised subjject conten
nt and asses ssment reqquirements for econom
mics are
m
met and to bring
b the sp
pecification up-to-datee:
● The nature of eco onomics: this
t introductory conteent supportts students in
developing an apprreciation of the contribbution of ec
conomics, developing
d an
ability to
o think like an econom
mist and und derstandingg that econ
nomic behavviour
can be considered through
t a range
r of pe
erspectives..
● Rationa al decision making and
a alterna
ative view
ws of consu umer beha aviour:
this intro al economics ensures the specifications include
oduction to behavioura
up-to-da ate and con
ntemporary issues in economics.
e
● Econom mic historyy and economic thinkers: aspe ects of econnomic history have
been selected and integrated
i throughoutt the course e to supporrt contextual
awareness and info orm macroe economic debate. The content de emonstratees how
economic events ca an be interppreted in diifferent way ys and how
w they impa act on
more rec cent econommic events. The inclus sion of refe
erence to ecconomic thiinkers
supportss the understanding th hat there arre differentt perspectiv
ves in econoomics,
with diffe
erent ways of approac ching resou urce allocation. Refereences to currrent
economic policies and
a issues, and the requirement to develop an awaren ness of
recent evvents are outlined
o in the
t specific
cation.
● Emergin ng and dev veloping economies
e s: Theme 4 focuses macroeconom
m mics in
the globa
al context, with partic
cular reference to eme
erging and developing
economies. This de emonstrates s how econnomic conce
epts and theories can be
applied in different and real world
w contexxts.
● al markets
Financia s: the incluusion of the
e role of fina
ancial markkets, the ro
ole of
banks an
nd market failure
f in th
he financial sector equ uip students
s with an
understa
anding of th
his important economic influence e.
A level Economics A specification map
ps

Changes to
o assessm
ment
Chhanges havve been maade to the approach
a off the AS lev
vel and A le
evel assess
sments
to
o ensure the
ey are clear and consistent, enabling studeents to undeerstand the
e skills
th
hey are required to de
emonstrate within asseessments:
● A reduction in the variety
v of command
c w
words use
ed, careful definition
d o the
of
skills tha
at comprise
e each comm mand word d and consis
stent applic
cation of th
he
comman nd words wiithin and accross asses
ssments.
● Skills baased mark k schemes s that focus
s on the qua alities students are reequired
to demonstrate in their
t answe ers rather than the quantity of po oints within
n
responsees. Clarity of s comprising each com
o the skills mmand worrd reflects howh
teacherss and examiners descrribe the qua alities of student work k, so the
expectattions are cle
ear for teac
chers and for
f markers s which limits subjectivity.
● The intro
oduction of short-answwer questio
ons compris sing multip ple choice and
short annswer elem ments. Thesse questionns focus on knowledge e, understa
anding
and appllication, ensuring ques
stions are explicit
e and
d clear in th
he knowledge and
understaanding studdents are re
equired to demonstrat
d te.
● Choice isi provided for the exttended ope en-response e questionss, enabling
studentss to respond
d to an issuue based on n a contextt they are more
m engag
ged or
familiar with.
w There
e is no choice of data response question. Th his allows students
s
to focus on one, bro
oader data response context,
c whhich supporrts compara ability
across papers and reduces
r tim
me spent in the exam on process sing a seconnd data
responsee context and question n that will not
n contribu ute to the overall
o marrks.

M
Mapping to
o the 200
08 specifiications
Thhis guide maps
m the cu
urrent (20088) A level specification
s ns for Pearson Edexce el, AQA
annd OCR to the
t new (2015) A leve arson Edexcel so you can
el specificattion for Pea
identify key comparison ns and diffe
erences to support your planning g and deliveery of
th
he new spec cifications. The specifications mu ust be referrred to as the
t authorittative
so
ource of infformation.
 A level Econ
nomics A specificatio
on maps

Spec
cificatiion ma
ap: from 200
08 Pearrson Edexcel

2015 Pearson
2
2008
8 Pearson
n Edexcel specific
cation E
Edexcel
s
specificat
tion
Unit Section Topic
1 1.3.1 Scarcity 1
1.1.3
Production possibility frontiers 1
1.1.4
Specialisa
ation and th
he division of labour 1
1.1.5
Free mark
ket and mix
xed econom
mies 1
1.1.6
Positive a
and normative econom
mics 1
1.1.2
1.3.2 Movemen
nt along the
e demand curve
c 1
1.2.2
Shifts in the
t demand
d curve 1
1.2.2
Price, inco
ome and crross elasticities of dem
mand 1
1.2.3
1.3.3 Movemen
nt along the
e supply curve 1
1.2.4
Shifts in the
t supply curve 1
1.2.4, 1.2.9
9
Price elas
sticity of supply 1
1.2.5
1.3.4 Determination of ma
arket equilibrium 1
1.2.6
Consumer and produ
ucer surplu
us 1
1.2.8
Functions
s of the pric
ce mechanism 1
1.2.7
1.3.5 Price mec
chanism 1
1.2.7
Indirect taxes and subsidies 1
1.2.9
1.3.6 Demand and
a supply of labour 3
3.5.1, 3.5.2
2
1.3.7 Market fa
ailure 1
1.3.1
Externalitties 1
1.3.2
Public goo
ods 1
1.3.3
Imperfectt market information 1
1.3.4
Labour im
mmobility 3
3.5.2
Unstable commodity
y markets -
1.3.8 Methods of
o governm
ment interve
ention 1
1.4.1
1.3.9 Governme
ent failure 1
1.4.2
2 2.3.1 Economic
c growth 2
2.1.1
Inflation 2
2.1.2
Employment and unemployment 2
2.1.3
Balance of
o Payments
s 2
2.1.4
Measures
s of develop
pment – HD
DI 4
4.3.1
A level Economics A specification map
ps

Other me
easures of developmen
d nt 4
4.3.1
2.3.2 National income
i 2
2.4.1
Income and wealth 2
2.4.1
Injections
s and withd
drawals 2
2.4.2
2.3.3 The comp
ponents of AD:
A C + I + G + (X – M) 2
2.2.1
Consumption (C) 2
2.2.2
Investme
ent (I) 2
2.2.3
Governme
ent expend
diture (G) 2
2.2.4
Exports – Imports (X
X – M) 2
2.2.5
Movemen
nts along an
nd shifts off the AD currve 2
2.2.1
2.3.4 Aggregate
e supply 2
2.3.1
Movemen
nts along an
nd shifts off the AS currve 2
2.3.1
2.3.5 Equilibrium level of output 2
2.4.3
The multiplier 2
2.4.4
2.3.6 Actual and potential growth 2
2.5.1
Causes an
nd constraints on grow
wth 2
2.5.1
Benefits of
o growth 2
2.5.4
Costs of growth
g 2
2.5.4
2.3.7 Current macroecono
m omic objecttives 2
2.6.1
Conflicts between ob
bjectives 2
2.6.4
2.3.8 Demand-side policie
es 2
2.6.2
Supply-side policies 2
2.6.3
2.3.9 Conflicts resulting frrom the use
e of policy 2
2.6.4
instrumen nts
3 3.3.1 Objective
es 3
3.2.1
3.3.2 Company
y growth 3
3.1.1 3.1.2,, 3.1.3
3.3.3 Revenue 3
3.3.1
3.3.4 Costs 3
3.3.2
Economie
es and disec
conomies of
o scale 3
3.3.3
3.3.5 Productive and alloc
cative efficie
ency 3
3.4.1
3.3.6 Normal and superno
ormal profitt 3
3.3.4
Profit max
ximisation 3
3.3.4
3.3.7 Barriers tto market entry
e and exit 3
3.4.4, 3.4.7
7
3.3.8 Market co
oncentration 3
3.4.4
3.3.9 Perfect co
ompetition 3
3.4.2
Monopoly
y 3
3.4.3, 3.4.5
5
 A level Econ
nomics A specificatio
on maps

Monopson
ny 3
3.4.6
Oligopoly 3
3.4.4
3.3.10 Contestab
bility 3
3.4.7
3.3.11 Governme ent intervention to ma
aintain 3
3.6.1, 3.6.2
2
competition in markkets
4 4.3.1 Causes off globalisation 4
4.1.1
Effects off globalisation 4
4.1.1
4.3.2 Patterns of
o trade 4
4.1.3
Specialisa
ation and co
omparative
e advantage
e 4
4.1.2
WTO 4
4.1.5
Restrictions on free trade 4
4.1.6
Protection
nism 4
4.3.3
4.3.3 Balance of
o Payments
s 4
4.1.7
Current account
a deficits and su
urpluses 4
4.1.7
Influences on exchange rates 4
4.1.8
Changes in exchange rates 4
4.1.8
Monetary
y union 4
4.1.5
4.3.4 Measures
s of compettitiveness 4
4.1.9
Factors in
nfluencing competitive
c eness 4
4.1.9
Governme
ent policy 4
4.3.3
4.3.5 Absolute and relative poverty 4
4.2.1
Measurem
ments of ine
equality 4
4.2.2
4.3.6 Limits to growth and
d developm
ment 4
4.3.2
4.3.7 Macroeco
onomic polic
cies 4
4.5.4
Public exp
penditure 4
4.5.1
Taxation 4
4.5.2
Public sec
ctor borrow
wing and pu
ublic sector debt 4
4.5.3
4.3.8 Ways of promoting
p growth
g and
d development 4
4.3.3
A level Economics A specification map
ps

Spec
cificatiion ma
ap: from 200
08 AQA
A

2015 Pearson
2
2008 AQA
A speciification E
Edexcel
s
specificat
tion
Unit Section Topic
1 3.1.1 The nature
e and purpo
ose of econ
nomic activity -
Economic resources 1
1.1.3
The econo
omic objectiives of indiv
viduals, firm
ms and 1
1.2.1, 2.6.1
1
governments
Scarcity, choice
c and allocation of
o resources 1
1.1.3
Production
n possibility
y diagrams 1
1.1.4
Value judg
gements, positive and normative
e 1
1.1.2
statements
3.1.2 The determ
minants of the demand for goods
s and 1
1.2.2
services
Price, inco
ome and cro
oss elasticitties of dem
mand 1
1.2.3
The determ
minants of the supply of goods and
a 1
1.2.4
services
Price elastticity of sup
pply 1
1.2.5
The determ
mination off equilibrium
m market prices
p 1
1.2.6
Application
ns of demand and sup
pply analysis to 1
1.2.6, 1.2.7
7
particular markets
The interre
elationship between markets
m 1
1.2.6, 1.2.7
7
How mark
kets allocate
e resources
s 1
1.2.7
3.1.3 Specialisattion, divisio
on of labour and excha
ange 1
1.1.5
Production
n 1
1.1.4, 3.4.1
1
Economies
s and diseconomies off scale 3
3.3.3
3.1.4 The meaniing of mark
ket failure 1
1.3.1
Public goods 1
1.3.3
Positive an
nd negative
e externalities in 1
1.3.2
consumptiion
Merit and demerit go
oods 1
1.3.2
Monopoly and allocattion of reso
ources 3
3.4.5
Immobility
y of factors of producttion 1
1.3.1
Inequalitie
es in the dis
stribution of
o income and
a 4
4.2.2
wealth
3.1.5 Rationale for
f governm
ment interv
vention 1
1.4.1
Methods of
o governme
ent intervention to correct 1
1.4.1

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p for pu
urchasing institu
ution only. This material is not copyright
c free. 7
 A level Econ
nomics A specificatio
on maps

distortions
s in individu
ual markets
s
Governme
ent failure 1
1.4.2
The impac
ct of govern
nment interrvention on
n 1
1.4.2
market outcomes
2 3.2.1 Macroecon
nomic indica
ators 2.1.1, 2.1.2
2 2, 2.1.3,
2
2.1.4
The econo
omic cycle 2
2.5.3
3.2.2 The circula
ar flow of in
ncome 2
2.4.1
Aggregate
e demand (A
AD) and ag
ggregate su
upply 2
2.2.1, 2.3.1
1, 2.4.3
(AS) analy
ysis
The determ
minants of aggregate demand 2.2.1, 2.2.2
2 2, 2.2.3,
2
2.2.4, 2.2.5
5
Aggregatee demand and the leve
el of econom
mic 2
2.4.3, 2.4.4
4
activity
Determina
ants of shorrt-run aggregate supp
ply 2
2.3.2
Determina
ants of long
g-run aggre
egate supply 2
2.3.3
3.2.3 The objecttives of eco
onomic polic
cy 2
2.6.1
Economic growth 2
2.5.1, 2.5.2
2
Inflation and deflation 2
2.1.2
Employme
ent and une
employmen
nt 2
2.1.3
The balanc
ce of payments on currrent accou
unt 2
2.1.4
3.2.4 Fiscal polic
cy 2
2.6.2
Monetary policy 2
2.6.2
Supply-sid
de policies 2
2.6.3
3 3.3.1 The objecttives of firm
ms 3
3.2.1
The divorc
ce of ownerrship and co
ontrol 3
3.1.1
The law off diminishin
ng returns and
a returns
s to 3
3.3.2
scale
Fixed and variable coosts, margin
nal, averag
ge and 3
3.3.2
total costs
s, short-run
n and long-run costs
Economies
s and diseconomies off scale 3
3.3.3
Technological change
e -
Total, average and marginal
m rev
venue 3
3.3.1
3.3.2 The model of perfect competitio
on 3
3.4.2
Competitio
on and the efficient allocation of 3
3.4.1
resources
The dynam
mics of com
mpetition an
nd competittive 3
3.4.1, 3.4.4
4
market pro
ocesses
3.3.3 Monopoly and oligopo
oly 3
3.4.4, 3.4.5
5

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on only. This ma
aterial is not copyright free.
A level Economics A specification map
ps

Price make
ers and pric
ce takers 3
3.4.2, 3.4.5
5
The growth of firms 3
3.1.2
Sources off monopoly
y 3
3.4.3, 3.4.5
5
The model of monopo
oly 3
3.4.5
Collusive and
a non-collusive oligo
opoly 3
3.4.4
Interdepen
ndence in oligopolistic
o c markets 3
3.4.4
Price discrrimination 3
3.4.4
Consumerr and producer surplus
s 1
1.2.8
Contestable and non--contestablle markets 3
3.4.7
Market strructure, sta
atic efficienc
cy, dynamic 3
3.4.1
efficiency and resourrce allocatioon
3.3.4 The deman
nd for labour, margina
al productiv
vity 3
3.5.1
theory
Influences
s upon the supply
s of la
abour to diffferent 3
3.5.2
markets
The determ mination off relative wage rates and
a 3
3.5.3
levels of employmentt in perfecttly competittive
labour markets
The determ mination off relative wage rates and
a 3
3.5.3
levels of employmentt in imperfe ectly compe
etitive
labour markets
The influen
nce of trade unions in determinin
ng -
wages and d levels of employmen
e nt
The impac
ct of a natio
onal minimu
um wage ra
ate 3
3.5.3
Discrimina
ation in the labour market -
The distrib
bution of income and wealth
w 4
4.2.2
3.3.5 Market failure and go
overnment failure 1
1.3, 1.4
Competitio
on policy 3
3.6.1
Public own
nership, privatisation, regulation and 3
3.6.1
de-regulattion of markets
Notions off equity -
The proble
em of poverty 4
4.2.1
Governme ent policies to alleviate
e poverty and
a to 4
4.2.2
influence the
t distribu
ution of inco
ome and we ealth
Cost beneffit analysis -
4 3.4.1 The econo
omic cycle and
a econom
mic growth 2
2.5.1, 2.5.4
4, 4.3.2
Uses of na
ational income data 2
2.1.1, 4.3.1
1
Unemployment 2
2.1.3, 2.6.4
4
Inflation and deflation 2
2.1.2
3.4.2 Macroecon
nomic mode
els and poliicies 4
4.5.4

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 A level Econ
nomics A specificatio
on maps

Fiscal polic
cy 2.6.2, 4.5.2
2 2, 4.5.3,
4
4.5.4
Supply-sid
de policies 2
2.6.3, 4.5.2
2, 4.5.4
Monetary policy, the money sup
pply and intterest 2
2.6.2, 4.5.4
4
rates
Exchange rate policy 4
4.5.4
3.4.3 Globalisatiion 4
4.1.1
Trade 4.1.2, 4.1.3
4 3, 4.1.4,
4
4.1.5, 4.1.6
6
The balanc
ce of payments 4
4.1.7
Exchange rate chang
ges 4
4.1.8
The European Union (EU) 4
4.1.5

10 © Pearson Ed
ducation Ltd 201
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on only. This ma
aterial is not copyright free.
A level Economics A specification map
ps

Spec
cificatiion ma
ap: from 200
08 OCR
R

2015 Pearson
2
2008 OCR
O speciification E
Edexcel
s
specificat
tion
Unit Section Topic
F581 3.1 The reasons for individuals, orrganisations
s and 1
1.1.3, 1.1.4
4, 1.1.5
societies having to make choic ces
Competittive marketts and how they work 1.2.2, 1.2.3
1 3, 1.2.4,
1
1.2.5, 1.2.6
6, 1.2.7,
1
1.2.8
Market fa
ailure and governmen
g nt intervention 1.3.1, 1.3.2
1 2, 1.3.3,
1
1.4.1
F582 3.2 Aggregatte demand and aggreg
gate supply
y and 2.2.1, 2.2.2
2 2, 2.2.3,
their inte
egration 2
2.2.4, 2.2.5
5, 2.3.1,
2
2.4.1, 2.4.2
2, 2.4.3,
2
2.4.4
Governm ment econom mic policy objectives
o and
a 2.1.1, 2.1.2
2 2, 2.1.3,
indicators of nationa
al economic performa ance 2
2.1.4, 2.5.1
1, 2.5.4,
2
2.6.1
The application of macroecono
m omic policy 2.6.2, 2.6.3
2 3, 2.6.4,
instrume
ents and thee national economy
e 4
4.1.1, 4.1.2
2, 4.1.3,
4
4.1.6
F583 3.3 Nature of work and leisure and
d trends in -
employmment and eaarnings
Market sttructures and
a compettitive behav
viour in 3.2.1,
3 3.3.1
1, 3.3.2,
leisure markets
m 3
3.3.3, 3.3.4
4, 3.4.1,
3
3.4.3, 3.4.4
4, 3.4.5,
3
3.4.7, 3.6.1
1
Labour demand, supply and wage
w 3
3.5.1, 3.5.2
2, 3.5.3
determin
nation
Market fa
ailure and the
t role of governmen
g nt and 3
3.5.2, 3.5.3
3
unions in
n the labourr market
F584 3.4 Transporrt, transporrt trends an
nd the econ
nomy -
Market sttructures and
a compettitive behav
viour in 3.2.1, 3.3.1
3 1, 3.3.2,
transportt markets 3
3.3.3, 3.4.1
1, 3.4.3,
3
3.4.4, 3.4.5
5, 3.4.7,
3
3.6.1
Market fa
ailure and the
t role of intervention in 1
1.3.2, 1.4.1
1, 3.6.1
transportt markets
Transporrt economic
cs and gove
ernment po
olicy 1
1.3
F585 3.5 Macroeco
onomic perrformance 2.4.4, 2.5.1
2 1, 2.5.2,
2
2.5.3, 2.5.4
4, 2.6.1,
2
2.6.2, 2.6.3
3, 4.1.9,
4
4.5.4
Trade an
nd integratio
on 2
2.1.1, 4.1.2
2, 4.1.3,

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 A level Econ
nomics A specificatio
on maps

4.1.4, 4.1.5
4 5, 4.1.6,
4
4.1.7, 4.1.8
8,
Developm
ment and sustainabilitty 2.1.1, 4.3.1
2 1, 4.3.2,
4
4.3.3
The econ
nomics of globalisation
n 4
4.1.1, 4.1.5
5, 4.3.3

12 © Pearson Ed
ducation Ltd 201
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on only. This ma
aterial is not copyright free.