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ECONOMICS-A-9EC0 · Pearson Edexcel A Level

ECONOMICS-A-9EC0/21

The National and Global Economy

Economics A · 2023 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.5/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.5 / 5

Total marks

300

Duration

360 min

Most tested topic

Government Intervention and Policy Evaluation

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

300

Duration

360 min

Session difficulty

3.5 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

High-scoring scripts were characterized by precise diagrammatic analysis.

2

In Paper 1, clear shifts in Monopolistic Competition diagrams showing short-run losses, and correct sub-market labeling for third-degree price discrimination, secured top-band marks.

3

In Paper 2, candidates who successfully defined regional trade agreements (AfCFTA) and evaluated debt relief with reference to the Harrod-Domar savings gap or foreign currency gap stood out.

4

On Paper 3, a perfectly shifting cost and revenue diagram illustrating the rise in variable input costs (gas prices) was highly rewarded.

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

Knowledge4
Application3
Analysis2
Evaluation1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

KnowledgeKnowledgeApplicationApplicationAnalysisAnalysisEvaluationEvaluation
SkillWeightShare
  • Knowledge

    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

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level A*

Approx. 82% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 73% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 63% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 53% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 43% 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

CalculateFrequency: 4

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

ExplainFrequency: 8

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

ExamineFrequency: 5

Match the expected response style for “Examine” questions.

DiscussFrequency: 6

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

AssessFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.

EvaluateFrequency: 5

Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Section A (P1, P2,120m / 100 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Section C (P1, P2)60m / 50 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Government intervention

50 marks this session

Inflation

33 marks this session

Externalities

37 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
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Government intervention

50
50

Externalities

37
37

Inflation

33
33

Strategies influencing growth and development

30
30

Monopoly

25
25

Wage determination in competitive and non-competitive markets

25
25

Externalities (Market failure)

23
23

Oligopoly

18
18

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1: Markets and Business Behaviour:

100 marks120 min

Paper 2: The National and Global Economy:

100 marks120 min

Paper 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics:

100 marks120 min

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

Self-diagnostic checklist

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

  • 1Message

    High-scoring scripts were characterized by precise diagrammatic analysis.

  • 2Message

    In Paper 1, clear shifts in Monopolistic Competition diagrams showing short-run losses, and correct sub-market labeling for third-degree price discrimination, secured top-band marks.

  • 3Message

    In Paper 2, candidates who successfully defined regional trade agreements (AfCFTA) and evaluated debt relief with reference to the Harrod-Domar savings gap or foreign currency gap stood out.

  • 4Message

    On Paper 3, a perfectly shifting cost and revenue diagram illustrating the rise in variable input costs (gas prices) was highly rewarded.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2023 2023

Economics A

High-scoring scripts were characterized by precise diagrammatic analysis. In Paper 1, clear shifts in Monopolistic Competition diagrams showing short-run losses, and correct sub-market labeling for third-degree price discrimination, secured top-band marks. In Paper 2, candidates

  • High-scoring scripts were characterized by precise diagrammatic analysis.

  • In Paper 1, clear shifts in Monopolistic Competition diagrams showing short-run losses, and correct sub-market labeling for third-degree price discrimination, secured top-band marks.

  • In Paper 2, candidates who successfully defined regional trade agreements (AfCFTA) and evaluated debt relief with reference to the Harrod-Domar savings gap or foreign currency gap stood out.

Total marks
300
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5

Session analysis

High-scoring scripts were characterized by precise diagrammatic analysis. In Paper 1, clear shifts in Monopolistic Competition diagrams showing short-run losses, and correct sub-market labeling for third-degree price discrimination, secured top-band marks. In Paper 2, candidates who successfully defined regional trade agreements (AfCFTA) and evaluated debt relief with reference to the Harrod-Domar savings gap or foreign currency gap stood out. On Paper 3, a perfectly shifting cost and revenue diagram illustrating the rise in variable input costs (gas prices) was highly rewarded.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1: Markets and Business Behaviour:

100 marks120 min

Paper 2: The National and Global Economy:

100 marks120 min

Paper 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics:

100 marks120 min

Top chapters

Government intervention50 marks
Inflation33 marks
Externalities37 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Free market economies, mixed ec5 marks
Production possibility frontiers5 marks
Monopolistic competition4 marks
Price, income and cross elastic10 marks
Consumer and producer surplus3 marks
Monopsony4 marks
Oligopoly17 marks
Rational decision making15 marks

Mark accessibility

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

70% within easy or medium reach

70
140
90
Easy: 70 marksMedium: 140 marksHard: 90 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate4 times
Explain8 times
Examine5 times
Discuss6 times
Assess4 times
Evaluate5 times

Question type mix

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

300Marks
  • Evaluation Essay

    (25 marks)

    100·4·33%

  • Discuss

    (12-15 marks)

    78·6·26%

  • Examine/Assess

    (8-10 marks)

    52·6·17%

  • Short Answer/Calculation

    (2-4 marks)

    30·12·10%

  • Data Response/Explain

    (5 marks)

    25·5·8%

  • Multiple Choice

    (1 mark)

    15·15·5%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Government interve…Oligopoly & Market…InflationExternalities

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.620223.52023

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Section A (P1, P2,

0.83 m/min
100
120

Section C (P1, P2)

0.83 m/min
50
60

Total marks

150

Total time

180 min

Avg pace

0.83

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.

075150225300A* estimatedA estimatedB estimatedC estimatedD estimatedE estimatedU estimated2575100125175200250300

Next-year prediction

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

Wage determination

90%

90%

Contestability

85%

85%

Exchange rates

80%

80%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
2h
Total marks
100
Weighting
35%
Question types
Short Multiple Choice & Explanation, Case Study Data Response, Long Evaluation Essay

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

ECONOMICS-A-9EC0/21 — Pearson Edexcel A Level Economics A (2023) | Revui