Eco 3 and 4 (A2)

1. You should know the basics like the back of your hand. Start by defining key terms in the question
and define them accurately.

2. Diagrams!

3. Include some economic data in your essays, example what's happening in the BRIC nations, the
African ones, which countries have a budget deficit/surplus (if you can quantify it, that'd be a bonus)
which firms have merged or demerged, pressure group activity, and government policies to protect
suppliers, domestic firms, employees etc.
Even simpler, pick out data points from the question papers when you solve them. You could even
collect data from the AS question papers.

4. Section A consists of 2 essays. So, you have to write in the style of an essay, instead of regurgitating
memorised stuff. Believe me, writing in your personal style will impress the examiners far more than just
writing notes style.
Essays sound nice when they have a flow, so use adverbials like yet, furthermore, moreover, on the
contrary etc besides the ever popular "however". Also, make sure you write enough, not too much nor
too less. A succinct answer is the best, so practise writing it. Don't forget a nice conclusion to wrap
things up.

5. Look at examiner's reports. Examine the sample answers and the examiner's comments. You'll get an
idea of how to write, what to write, and how to impress the examiners. Also, what you shouldn't do.

6. Read your essays questions carefully and choose them wisely. If necessary, draw a mind map before
answering. Sometimes, the question may seem similar to a question you've solved previously but
actually it's different.
Cases in point:
Unit 3 - the essays about cost and revenue are risky 'cause their evaluation points are risky. Better not to
attempt those.
Unit 4 - the essay questions where it's explicitly mentioned that your answer needs to have loads of
economic data -> safer to avoid this one UNLESS you're in touch with economics news and are confident
about the economic news you know.

7. Practise under timed conditions because time is even more a crucial factor in A2.

8. In case of Section B, there are plenty of extract and data references that can be used, so use 'em
wisely. The question patterns are somewhat similar, so check the mark schemes to find out which points
you should discuss if they don't come to mind while solving the QP's.

9. Be careful of the questions which ask for evaluation and which don't. In Unit 3, only the first question
is a non evaluative one. In Unit 4, the 8 mark question NEVER requires evaluation, alongside the first
question.
10. It's also a good idea to expand on stuff you've learnt in AS, particularly in the case of Unit 3.
Recently, they're asking questions related to Unit 1. So, if you can bring up sth from Unit 1 as per
context, that'd be groovy.
On the other hand, in case of Unit 4, which is a synoptic unit ie it requires stuff you've learnt in all 4
units, it's better and cautious to do the macroeconomic analysis you've learnt in Unit 4, rather than
getting carried away in doing the macroeconomic analysis you've learnt in Unit 2.

11. If you're taking any mocks, please take them seriously. Sometimes, one might get too discouraged
from taking the mocks because after all, A2 economics is helluva scary, or if one has too many subjects
on the plate. Don't do that. I speak from experience.

tutor4u is a good website and so is economicshelp or sth like that.

Hope this helped!

Eco Units 1 and 2 (AS):

1. Do your classes properly.

2. Take your mocks seriously and study hard for them.
3. Learn some common questions and MCQ question patterns by heart like the steps to calculating CPI
and positive/normative questions.
4. Give definitions wherever possible. And plenty of rejection marks. And please do not repeat the
statement provided in the questions in case of MCQ. It is a pointless wastage of valuable time. Nor is it
necessary to write "Option A is correct because. .." -> POINTLESS.
5. In Section B, the evaluative questions have more marks for ANALYSIS than for evaluation. So write
more in the analysis part AND THERE ARE LOADS TO WRITE ABOUT. Check the mark schemes.
And for evaluation, elaborate your points. Otherwise, you get no marks. Na da.
And don't forget to related to the extract. Sometimes, the extracts provide plenty of points for analysis
too.
More importantly, MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION BEFORE WRITING. Don't go outside
the scope of the question.
6. Give diagrams. The Multiplier effect (probably my favourite chapter in Unit 2 :3 ) is a wonderful
thing to write about in Unit 2 Section B.
And please label the diagrams properly too.

Economics is scary, I know. Unit 2 is helluva scary. But being scared and procrastinating won't help.
That's the harsh truth no matter what you feel.
Go through examiners' reports to get an idea on how to write the answers. And check the mark schemes
too.
Don't forget to pray to Allah