8136 · AQA GCSE
8136/11
How Markets Work
Economics · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
160
210 min
Distribution of income and globalisation
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The June 2022 AQA GCSE Economics papers present a moderate difficulty level, aligning well with the syllabus expectations.
Paper 1 requires precise microeconomic logical chains, particularly concerning externalities (palm oil production) and concentrated market structures.
Paper 2 contains highly accessible globalisation and international trade contexts, though the 15-mark evaluation demands a well-balanced, structured argument to secure top-tier marks.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge and Understanding
Weight: 3100%Application of
Weight: 267%Analysis and
Weight: 133%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level 9
Approx. 83% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 78% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 72% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 63% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 47% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 34% of maximum mark
Level 2
Approx. 23% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Distribution of income
25 marks this session
Globalisation: benefits and drawbacks
21 marks this session
Economic growth
15 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Globalisation: benefits and drawbacks
Policies to correct positive and negative externalities
Inflation and price stability
Distribution of income
Economic growth
Externalities
The labour market
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: How Markets Work:
Paper 2: How the Economy Works:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Distribution of income
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGlobalisation: benefits and drawbacks
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEconomic growth
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The June 2022 AQA GCSE Economics papers present a moderate difficulty level, aligning well with the syllabus expectations.
- 2Message
Paper 1 requires precise microeconomic logical chains, particularly concerning externalities (palm oil production) and concentrated market structures.
- 3Message
Paper 2 contains highly accessible globalisation and international trade contexts, though the 15-mark evaluation demands a well-balanced, structured argument to secure top-tier marks.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Economics
The June 2022 AQA GCSE Economics papers present a moderate difficulty level, aligning well with the syllabus expectations. Paper 1 requires precise microeconomic logical chains, particularly concerning externalities (palm oil production) and concentrated market structures. Paper
The June 2022 AQA GCSE Economics papers present a moderate difficulty level, aligning well with the syllabus expectations.
Paper 1 requires precise microeconomic logical chains, particularly concerning externalities (palm oil production) and concentrated market structures.
Paper 2 contains highly accessible globalisation and international trade contexts, though the 15-mark evaluation demands a well-balanced, structured argument to secure top-tier marks.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
The June 2022 AQA GCSE Economics papers present a moderate difficulty level, aligning well with the syllabus expectations. Paper 1 requires precise microeconomic logical chains, particularly concerning externalities (palm oil production) and concentrated market structures. Paper 2 contains highly accessible globalisation and international trade contexts, though the 15-mark evaluation demands a well-balanced, structured argument to secure top-tier marks.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: How Markets Work:
Paper 2: How the Economy Works:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
69% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Explain
36·14·23%
Discuss
30·2·19%
Analyse
24·4·15%
MCQ
20·20·13%
Assess
18·2·11%
Calculate
14·6·9%
State
8·4·5%
Draw
6·2·4%
Define
4·2·3%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A
0.71 m/minPaper 1 Section B
0.80 m/minPaper 2 Section A
0.71 m/minTotal marks
112
Total time
150 min
Avg pace
0.75
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Monetary policy
85%85%
The role and importance of the financial sector for the economy
80%80%
Exchange rates
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict
The June 2022 AQA GCSE Economics papers present a moderate difficulty level, aligning well with the syllabus expectations. Paper 1 requires precise microeconomic logical chains, particularly concerning externalities (palm oil production) and concentrated market structures. Paper 2 contains highly accessible globalisation and international trade contexts, though the 15-mark evaluation demands a well-balanced, structured argument to secure top-tier marks.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Math Workings: Many students lose easy marks by failing to show clear step-by-step calculations for price elasticity of demand (PED), average cost, or trade balance percentages. Always state the formula and show your steps, as examiners award partial credit even if the final figure contains a minor calculation error.
- Diagram Accuracy: In the Paper 1 equilibrium price shift question, candidates frequently lose marks due to incorrect labeling of axes, missing equilibrium projection lines, or shifting the wrong curve. Ensure the new supply curve shifts to the left and is clearly labeled S2 S_2 S2.
- Vague Evaluations: On 15-mark questions, examiners note that students often offer one-sided arguments. To reach Level 5, you must provide a balanced argument (both sides supported by economic concepts) and end with a justified, coherent conclusion that directly answers the prompt.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 80
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Short Answer & Definition, Quantitative & Diagrammatic, Analytical Writing, Extended Evaluation
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.