9708 · Cambridge International AS Level
9708/12
Paper 1
Economics · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.4 / 5
90
180 min
Government Microeconomic Interventions and Macroeconomic Policy Tools
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
90
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
An analysis of the May/June 2024 Economics (9708) Papers 12 and 22, focusing on market failures, protectionism, macroeconomic policy options during stagflation, and the mechanics of income redistribution.
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. 51% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 31% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 26% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Consider” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Addressing income and wealth inequality (Government microeconomy intervention (AS Level))
20 marks this session
Methods and effects of government intervention in markets (Government microeconomy intervention (AS Level))
18 marks this session
Protectionism (International economic issues (AS Level))
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
Production possibility curves
Fiscal policy
Unemployment (The Macroeconomy (AS Level))
Monetary policy
Fiscal policy (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
Government macroeconomic policy objectives (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
Supply-side policy (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
Resource allocation in different economic systems (Basic economic ideas and resource allocation (AS Level))
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 12 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (Data Response and Essays):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- AO3 evaluation marks are frequently lost when candidates fail to provide a balanced conclusion that explicitly compares alternative policies.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Addressing income and wealth inequality (Government microeconomy intervention (AS Level))
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMethods and effects of government intervention in markets (Government microeconomy intervention (AS Level))
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiProtectionism (International economic issues (AS Level))
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
An analysis of the May/June 2024 Economics (9708) Papers 12 and 22, focusing on market failures, protectionism, macroeconomic policy options during stagflation, and the mechanics of income redistribution.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Economics
An analysis of the May/June 2024 Economics (9708) Papers 12 and 22, focusing on market failures, protectionism, macroeconomic policy options during stagflation, and the mechanics of income redistribution.
An analysis of the May/June 2024 Economics (9708) Papers 12 and 22, focusing on market failures, protectionism, macroeconomic policy options during stagflation, and the mechanics of income redistribution.
- Total marks
- 90
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
An analysis of the May/June 2024 Economics (9708) Papers 12 and 22, focusing on market failures, protectionism, macroeconomic policy options during stagflation, and the mechanics of income redistribution.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 12 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 22 (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.
77% 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
(Part B)
48·4·37%
Structured Essay
(Part A)
32·4·25%
Multiple Choice
30·30·23%
Data Response
20·5·15%
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.
Paper 2 Section A (
0.50 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.50 m/minPaper 2 Section C (
0.50 m/minTotal marks
60
Total time
120 min
Avg pace
0.50
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Exchange rates and Balance of Payments correction policies
85%85%
Unemployment and inflation policy conflicts
78%78%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h
- Total marks
- 30
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.