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ECONOMICS · HKDSE

ECONOMICS/11

(Multiple Choice)

Economics · 2023 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.5/5

Analysis source: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.5 / 5

Total marks

149

Duration

210 min

Most tested topic

Free trade, trade barriers, and international tariff policies

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

149

Duration

210 min

Session difficulty

3.5 / 5

Level 5**

~95% of max

Level 5*

~90% of max

Level 5

~84% of max

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The 2023 HKDSE Economics paper is characterized by standard conceptual questions interspersed with highly contextualized, multi-step analytical challenges. Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) tested core mechanics efficiently, with a focus on elasticity and market intervention. Paper 2 com

2

High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves in several key areas:

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

Theoretical Recall9
Graphical Analysis7
Mathematical & Calculation5
Policy4
Evaluation3
Real-world Scenario2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Theoretical RecallTheoreticalRecallGraphical AnalysisGraphicalAnalysisMathematical & CalculationMathematical &CalculationPolicyPolicyEvaluationEvaluationReal-world ScenarioReal-worldScenario
SkillWeightShare
  • Theoretical Recall

    Weight: 9100%
  • Graphical Analysis

    Weight: 778%
  • Mathematical & Calculation

    Weight: 556%
  • Policy

    Weight: 444%
  • Evaluation

    Weight: 333%
  • Real-world Scenario

    Weight: 222%

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

Reporting source

HKEAA Subject Examination Report — comments on candidates’ performance with marking schemes

Level 5**

Outstanding — competitive JUPAS programmes (medicine, law, top faculties)

Level 5*

Excellent — strong JUPAS profile for selective programmes

Level 5

Good — meets most university entrance requirements

Level 4

Satisfactory — foundation programmes or less selective routes

Level 3

Pass threshold for many sub-degree and vocational pathways

Admission context

Levels feed JUPAS and non-JUPAS university applications; 5** and 5* are most selective

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

ExplainFrequency: 18

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

CalculateFrequency: 3

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

JustifyFrequency: 1

Support your choice with specific evidence from data or the scenario given.

DiscussFrequency: 1

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 2 Section A (60m / 44 marks

Min per mark: 1.4

Paper 1 (Multiple C60m / 45 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Free trade and trade barriers (International Trade and Finance)

14 marks this session

Fiscal policy and Monetary policy (Macroeconomic Problems and Policies)

12 marks this session

Price elasticity of demand and supply (Market and Price)

12 marks this session

Inflation and deflation (Macroeconomic Problems and Policies)

10 marks this session

Production and costs in the short run and long run (Firms and Production)

9 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

LowHigh
Topic
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Σ

The determination of level of output and price

24
11
25
60

Free trade and trade barriers

15
14
15
44

Fiscal policy and Monetary policy

15
16
31

Market intervention

11
16
27

Free trade and trade barriers (International Trade and Finance)

14
14

Interaction between demand, supply and price

13
13

Money

12
12

Monopoly pricing & price discrimination

12
12

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Economics

Paper 1 (Multiple Choice): Economics

45 marks60 min

Paper 2 (Conventional):

104 marks150 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

  • Failing to specify that opportunity cost of queuing (Q11c) comprises both time cost (the value of alternative usage of time) and the monetary ticket cost.

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The 2023 HKDSE Economics paper is characterized by standard conceptual questions interspersed with highly contextualized, multi-step analytical challenges. Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) tested core mechanics efficiently, with a focus on elasticity and market intervention. Paper 2 com

  • 2Message

    High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves in several key areas:

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2023 2023

Economics

High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves in several key areas:

  • The 2023 HKDSE Economics paper is characterized by standard conceptual questions interspersed with highly contextualized, multi-step analytical challenges. Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) tested core mechanics efficiently, with a focus on elasticity and market intervention. Paper 2 com

  • High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves in several key areas:

Total marks
149
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Level 5**
~95% of max
Level 5*
~90% of max
Level 5
~84% of max

Session analysis

High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves in several key areas:

Updated Jun 11, 2026

Paper breakdown

Economics

Paper 1 (Multiple Choice): Economics

45 marks60 min

Paper 2 (Conventional):

104 marks150 min

Top chapters

Free trade and trade barriers (International Trade and Finance)14 marks
Fiscal policy and Monetary policy (Macroeconomic Problems and Policies)12 marks
Price elasticity of demand and supply (Market and Price)12 marks
Inflation and deflation (Macroeconomic Problems and Policies)10 marks
Production and costs in the short run and long run (Firms and Production)9 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Free trade and trade barriers14 marks
Fiscal policy and Monetary poli12 marks
Price elasticity of demand and12 marks
Inflation and deflation10 marks
Production and costs in the sho9 marks
Scarcity, choice and opportunit9 marks
Market intervention9 marks
The determination of level of o8 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

77% within easy or medium reach

50
65
34
Easy: 50 marksMedium: 65 marksHard: 34 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Explain18 times
Calculate3 times
Justify1 times
Discuss1 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

149Marks
  • Paper 2 Section B)

    60·3·40%

  • Paper 1)

    45·45·30%

  • Paper 2 Section A)

    44·9·30%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Price Elasticity o…Money Creation and…Free Trade and Tra…Production and Cos…

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.520213.620223.52023

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 (Multiple C

0.75 m/min
45
60

Paper 2 Section A (

0.73 m/min
44
60

Total marks

89

Total time

120 min

Avg pace

0.74

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Monopoly Pricing & Price Discrimination

85%

85%

Anti-competitive behaviours & competition policy

80%

80%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h
Total marks
45
Weighting
30%
Question types
Multiple Choice (Paper 1)

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

ECONOMICS/11 — HKDSE Economics (2023) | Revui