9708 · Cambridge International A Level
9708/42
Paper 4
Economics · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.7 / 5
180
375 min
Microeconomic Market Structures, Market Failures and Macroeconomic Policy Interventions
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
375 min
Session difficulty
3.7 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 series offered a balanced yet intellectually challenging set of papers across both AS and A Level.
The papers tested a wide array of core competencies, transitioning smoothly from foundational demand-and-supply mechanics to complex, multi-variable macroeconomic policy evaluations.
The difficulty verdict leans towards medium-hard due to the integration of real-world global shocks (such as supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and structural industrial shifts) into the data response and essay questions.
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 andAO2
Weight: 3100%AnalysisAO3
Weight: 267%Evaluation
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 64% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 58% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 45% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 39% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 33% 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
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.
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: 2.5
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
Different market structures (The price system and the microeconomy (A Level))
25 marks this session
Government policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure (Government microeconomic intervention (A Level))
23 marks this session
Globalisation (International economic issues (A Level))
22 marks this session
Addressing income and wealth inequality (Government microeconomy intervention (AS Level))
21 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 12 (AS Level Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (AS Level Data Response & Essays):
Paper 32 (A Level Multiple Choice):
Paper 42 (A Level Data Response & 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 (The price system and the microeconomy (A Level))
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGovernment policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure (Government microeconomic intervention (A Level))
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGlobalisation (International economic issues (A Level))
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAddressing income and wealth inequality (Government microeconomy intervention (AS Level))
21 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 offered a balanced yet intellectually challenging set of papers across both AS and A Level.
- 2Message
The papers tested a wide array of core competencies, transitioning smoothly from foundational demand-and-supply mechanics to complex, multi-variable macroeconomic policy evaluations.
- 3Message
The difficulty verdict leans towards medium-hard due to the integration of real-world global shocks (such as supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and structural industrial shifts) into the data response and essay questions.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Economics
The May/June 2024 series offered a balanced yet intellectually challenging set of papers across both AS and A Level. The papers tested a wide array of core competencies, transitioning smoothly from foundational demand-and-supply mechanics to complex, multi-variable macroeconomic
The May/June 2024 series offered a balanced yet intellectually challenging set of papers across both AS and A Level.
The papers tested a wide array of core competencies, transitioning smoothly from foundational demand-and-supply mechanics to complex, multi-variable macroeconomic policy evaluations.
The difficulty verdict leans towards medium-hard due to the integration of real-world global shocks (such as supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and structural industrial shifts) into the data response and essay questions.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 375 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.7 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 series offered a balanced yet intellectually challenging set of papers across both AS and A Level. The papers tested a wide array of core competencies, transitioning smoothly from foundational demand-and-supply mechanics to complex, multi-variable macroeconomic policy evaluations. The difficulty verdict leans towards medium-hard due to the integration of real-world global shocks (such as supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and structural industrial shifts) into the data response and essay questions.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 12 (AS Level Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (AS Level Data Response & Essays):
Paper 32 (A Level Multiple Choice):
Paper 42 (A Level Data Response & 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.
72% 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.
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.
P12 Multiple Choice
0.67 m/minP22 Data Response
0.50 m/minP32 Multiple Choice
0.40 m/minP42 Data Response
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.
Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism
85%85%
Exchange Rate Systems (Fixed vs. Floating)
78%78%
Natural Monopolies and Regulation
72%72%
May/June 2024 Economics (9708) Exam Suite Analysis
The May/June 2024 series offered a balanced yet intellectually challenging set of papers across both AS and A Level. The papers tested a wide array of core competencies, transitioning smoothly from foundational demand-and-supply mechanics to complex, multi-variable macroeconomic policy evaluations. The difficulty verdict leans towards medium-hard due to the integration of real-world global shocks (such as supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and structural industrial shifts) into the data response and essay questions.
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.