9708 · Cambridge International A Level
9708/31
Paper 3
Economics · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.8 / 5
180
375 min
Equity and redistribution of income and wealth
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
375 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 series presents a medium-to-hard difficulty level.
While the multiple-choice papers (11 and 31) test core syllabus definitions and calculations in a standard format, the essay and data-response papers (21 and 41) demand robust critical evaluation, precise definitions, and exact diagrammatic accuracy.
In particular, the transition between AS and A-Level content requires students to elevate their analytical skills to high-level policy evaluation.
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: 4100%Application
Weight: 375%Analysis
Weight: 250%Evaluation
Weight: 125%
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. 71% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 62% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 31% 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.
Match the expected response style for “Consider” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Distinguish” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2.5
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Equity and redistribution of income and wealth (A Level)
22 marks this session
Indifference curves and budget lines (A Level)
16 marks this session
Fiscal policy (AS Level)
14 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)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 (AS Level Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (AS Level Data Response and Essays):
Paper 31 (A Level Multiple Choice):
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
Equity and redistribution of income and wealth (A Level)
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiIndifference curves and budget lines (A Level)
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiFiscal policy (AS Level)
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2024 series presents a medium-to-hard difficulty level.
- 2Message
While the multiple-choice papers (11 and 31) test core syllabus definitions and calculations in a standard format, the essay and data-response papers (21 and 41) demand robust critical evaluation, precise definitions, and exact diagrammatic accuracy.
- 3Message
In particular, the transition between AS and A-Level content requires students to elevate their analytical skills to high-level policy evaluation.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Economics
The May/June 2024 series presents a medium-to-hard difficulty level. While the multiple-choice papers (11 and 31) test core syllabus definitions and calculations in a standard format, the essay and data-response papers (21 and 41) demand robust critical evaluation, precise defini
The May/June 2024 series presents a medium-to-hard difficulty level.
While the multiple-choice papers (11 and 31) test core syllabus definitions and calculations in a standard format, the essay and data-response papers (21 and 41) demand robust critical evaluation, precise definitions, and exact diagrammatic accuracy.
In particular, the transition between AS and A-Level content requires students to elevate their analytical skills to high-level policy evaluation.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 375 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 series presents a medium-to-hard difficulty level. While the multiple-choice papers (11 and 31) test core syllabus definitions and calculations in a standard format, the essay and data-response papers (21 and 41) demand robust critical evaluation, precise definitions, and exact diagrammatic accuracy. In particular, the transition between AS and A-Level content requires students to elevate their analytical skills to high-level policy evaluation.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 (AS Level Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (AS Level Data Response and Essays):
Paper 31 (A Level Multiple Choice):
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.
75% 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.
Structured Essay
80·8·44%
Multiple Choice
60·60·33%
Data Response
40·9·22%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
AS Paper 11 MCQs
0.67 m/minAS Paper 21 Section
0.50 m/minA Level Paper 31 MC
0.40 m/minA Level Paper 41 Se
0.50 m/minTotal marks
90
Total time
185 min
Avg pace
0.49
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Different market structures
90%90%
Monetary policy
85%85%
Labour market forces and government intervention
80%80%
Overall Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 series presents a medium-to-hard difficulty level. While the multiple-choice papers (11 and 31) test core syllabus definitions and calculations in a standard format, the essay and data-response papers (21 and 41) demand robust critical evaluation, precise definitions, and exact diagrammatic accuracy. In particular, the transition between AS and A-Level content requires students to elevate their analytical skills to high-level policy evaluation.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 30
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.