• thinkigcse.com

A Level Economics

Cambridge International A/AS Level Economics

A/AS Level Economics syllabus aims to:

provide a basis of factual knowledge of economics encourage the student to develop:

  • a facility for self-expression, not only in writing but also in using additional aids, such as statistics and diagrams, where appropriate the habit of using works of reference as sources of data specific to economics
  • the habit of reading critically to gain information about the changing economy we live in
  • an appreciation of the methods of study used by the economist, and of the most effective ways economic data may be analysed, correlated, discussed and presented. 

Syllabus code 9708

Centres and candidates may choose to:

  • take all Advanced Level (A Level) and Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) components at one exam session, leading to the full A Level qualification (Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  • take the AS Level components (Papers 1 and 2) at one exam session and, having received the AS qualification, take both A Level components (Papers 3 and 4) at a later session, leading to the full A Level qualification
  • take the AS Level components only (Papers 1 and 2) at one exam session, leading to the AS qualification.

Paper 1 [1 hour] 

  • 30 multiple choice questions based on the Additional AS Level syllabus content
  • 30 marks 

Paper 2 [1 hour 30 mins]

  • Section A: one data response question (20 marks)
  • Section B: one structured essay from a choice of three (20 marks)
  • Based on the AS Level syllabus content
  • 40 marks

Paper 3 [1 hour 15 minutes]

  • 30 multiple choice questions based on the Additional A Level syllabus content
  • 30 marks

Paper 4 [2 hours 15 mins]

  • Section A: one data response question (20 marks)
  • Section B: two essays from a choice of six (50 marks)
  • Based on the additional A Level syllabus content
  • 70 marks
Students appearing for AS Level have to sit for only Paper 1 and Paper 2

Students appearing for A level have to sit for all the four papers i.e. Paper 1,2,3 and 4.

Papers 3 and 4 test the topics in the Supplement, but also require a knowledge and understanding of the topics in the Core.

ECONOMICS SYLLABUS AT A GLANCE (2016 onwards)

A Level Economics syllabus at a glance

 

Core: AS and A Level

Supplement: A Level only (Additional material for A Level)

Basic economic ideas

  • Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost
  • Positive and normative statements
  • Factors of production
  • Resource allocation in different economic systems and issues of transition
  • Production possibility curves
  • Money
  • Classification of goods and services
  • Efficient resource allocation
  • Externalities and market failure
  • Social costs and benefits; cost-benefit analysis

The price system and the theory of the firm

  • Demand and supply curves
  • Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticities of demand
  • Price elasticity of supply
  • Interaction of demand and supply
  • Market equilibrium and disequilibrium
  • Consumer and producer surplus
  • Law of diminishing marginal utility
  • Indifference curves
  • Budget lines
  • Types of cost, revenue and profit, short-run and long-run production
  • Different market structures
  • Growth and survival of firms
  • Differing objectives of a firm

Government microeconomic intervention

  • Maximum and minimum prices
  • Taxes (direct and indirect)
  • Subsidies
  • Transfer payments
  • Direct provision of goods and services
  • Nationalisation and privatisation
  • Policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure
  • Equity and policies towards income and wealth redistribution
  • Labour market forces and government intervention:
    • Demand and supply of labour
    • Wage determination in perfect markets
    • Wage determination in imperfect markets
  • Government failure in microeconomic intervention

The macro economy

  • Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
  • Inflation
  • Balance of payments
  • Exchange rates
  • The terms of trade
  • Principles of absolute and comparative advantage
  • Protectionism
  • Economic growth, economic development and sustainability
  • National Income statistics
  • Classification of countries
  • Employment/unemployment
  • The circular flow of income
  • Money supply (theory)
  • Keynesian and Monetarist schools
  • The demand for money and interest rate determination
  • Policies towards developing economies; policies of trade and aid

Government macro intervention

  • Types of policy: fiscal, monetary and supply side policy
  • Policies to correct balance of payments disequilibrium
  • Policies to correct inflation and deflation
  • Government macro policy aims
  • Inter-connectedness of problems
  • Effectiveness of policy options to meet all macroeconomic objectives

DOWNLOAD SYLLABUS 2019-21

Exciting News!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Quizzes and worksheets on this website have been developed in Flash format. Flash is no more supported by browsers. Therefore, you might see blank pages on some instances. Install Flash player plugin for Chrome from Chrome Web Store. Click here 

Similarly, for other web browsers you will have to activate the relevant flash player plugins.

JOIN OUR ONLINE COURSES

New Youtube Channel - ThinkIGCSE

Hi Everyone, I have launched a new YouTube channel with more than a 100 videos on  Economics and Business Studies, tailored specifically for IGCSE and A Level and IBDP students.

Subscribe now and join us on this learning journey: @thinkIGCSE

WHO'S ONLINE

We have 101 guests and no members online

Crosswords

PDF FILE

Download

MindMaps

PDF FILE

Download

Save
Cookies user preferences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Read more
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Our website uses Google Analytics to understand how you interact with our site and improve your browsing experience. These cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the site, where visitors have come from, and the pages they visited. The data helps us analyze trends and user behavior to enhance our website's functionality and content.
Accept
Decline
Marketing
Set of techniques which have for object the commercial strategy and in particular the market study.
Marketing
Our website uses Google marketing cookies to deliver personalized ads and measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. These cookies track your online activity to help us show you relevant ads on Google services and partner websites.
Accept
Decline