9708 · Cambridge International A Level
9708/21
Paper 2
Economics · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
120
240 min
Different Market Structures and Market Power
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
120
Duration
240 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A detailed analysis of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics (9708) May/June 2023 examination series, focusing on candidates' conceptual precision, diagrammatic accuracy, and evaluative performance across both Paper 21 and Paper 41.
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 & Understanding
Weight: 5100%Application (AO1/AO2)
Weight: 360%Analysis (AO2)
Weight: 240%Evaluation (AO3)
Weight: 120%
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 73% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 63% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 52% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 37% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 30% 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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Different market structures
36 marks this session
Government policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure
20 marks this session
Effectiveness of policy options to meet all macroeconomic objectives
20 marks this session
Economic development
20 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
Different market structures
Equity and redistribution of income and wealth (A Level)
Links between macroeconomic problems and their interrelatedness
Indifference curves and budget lines
Government policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure
Effectiveness of policy options to meet all macroeconomic objectives
Economic development
Indifference curves and budget lines (A Level)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 21 AS Level Data Response and Essays:
Paper 41 A Level Data Response and Essays:
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
Different market structures
36 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGovernment policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEffectiveness of policy options to meet all macroeconomic objectives
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEconomic development
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A detailed analysis of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics (9708) May/June 2023 examination series, focusing on candidates' conceptual precision, diagrammatic accuracy, and evaluative performance across both Paper 21 and Paper 41.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Economics
A detailed analysis of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics (9708) May/June 2023 examination series, focusing on candidates' conceptual precision, diagrammatic accuracy, and evaluative performance across both Paper 21 and Paper 41.
A detailed analysis of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics (9708) May/June 2023 examination series, focusing on candidates' conceptual precision, diagrammatic accuracy, and evaluative performance across both Paper 21 and Paper 41.
- Total marks
- 120
- Duration
- 240 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
A detailed analysis of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics (9708) May/June 2023 examination series, focusing on candidates' conceptual precision, diagrammatic accuracy, and evaluative performance across both Paper 21 and Paper 41.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 21 AS Level Data Response and Essays:
Paper 41 A Level Data Response and Essays:
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.
70% 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.
A-Level Essay
(Comprehensive)
80·4·40%
Structured Essay
(Part B - Evaluation)
48·4·24%
Structured Essay
(Part A - Analysis)
32·4·16%
Data Response
(Analysis / Evaluation)
24·4·12%
Data Response
(Short Answer / Calculation)
16·6·8%
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.
AS Level Section A
0.50 m/minTotal marks
10
Total time
20 min
Avg pace
0.50
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Globalisation and Exchange Rate Policies
85%85%
Labour Market Interventions (Minimum Wage & Monopsony)
80%80%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 60
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.