paper-2-guidance-

What Is Examined in the Edexcel A Level Economics Paper 2?

• This paper focuses on Macroeconomics in Theme 2 and Theme 4 

• The paper’s duration is two hours

• The total number of marks available is 100

• Paper 1 represents 35% of the qualification total

• It is made up of three sections

Section A

• Section A contains multiple-choice and short-answer questions worth a total of 25 marks

• Section A consists of 5 questions: Questions 1 to 5

• Each question is worth 5 marks, broken down as follows:

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): 1 mark each (5 MCQs in total). These are quick-response questions designed to test your basic knowledge and understanding of economic concepts. You have a choice of 4 options: A, B, C or D

  • Short Answer Questions: 2 or 4 marks for each subpart. These include 2 mark and 4 mark questions, where you will be required to explain concepts, apply the short text or data provided, undertake calculations, and draw diagrams

Section B

• Section B contains Question 6, which is subdivided as follows into 5 sub-questions worth a total of 50 marks

  • 6a: 5 marks: points marked question requiring you to show knowledge application and analysis. No evaluation is required

  • 6b: 8 marks: points marked question requiring you to show knowledge application, analysis, and evaluation

  • 6c: 10 marks: Levelled-marked question: 6 marks for KAA (Knowledge, Application, and Analysis), 4 marks for Evaluation

  • 6d: 12 marks: Levelled-marked question: 8 marks for KAA, 4 marks for Evaluation

  • 6e: 15 marks: Levelled-marked question: 9 marks for KAA, 6 marks for Evaluation

• All questions are based on unseen extracts or data, providing context for the questions

• Section B tends to have a national or global focus, testing your ability to apply economic theory to real-world scenarios, both locally and internationally

Section C

• Section C contains Questions 7 and 8, providing a choice of two extended-response questions worth 25 marks

• They are levelled-marked questions: 16 marks for KAA, 9 marks for Evaluation

• These questions typically involve detailed application of knowledge, analysis and evaluation to complex economic issues, which require a deep understanding of microeconomic theory

  • Questions in this section will ask you to evaluate factors, economic policies, market outcomes, causes, effects, or implications

• Section C has a global or national context, requiring you to apply your own examples with the text and/or data provided in the question to the specification content in markets and business behaviour