Peter Cramp's Excellent Economics Revision Advice

Exam tip 1: If qu says AND as in "Evaluate the effect of monopoly on conduct AND performance of firms" address BOTH to access high marks. A very good section on conduct and a little on performance (eg alloc eff) could unlock high marks but a balance on both elements better.

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 16, 2018

Exam tip 2: Look for numbers planted in data extracts - these will often support evaluation - eg "BA already has 44% of landing slots at Heathrow" supports a judgement that there may be substantial monopoly power after merger with another airline. #economics #aqaeconomics

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 17, 2018

Exam tip 3: For 15 mark essays, use the the qu preamble do show application. If qu preamble talks about a new runway at Heathrow and qu is "Explain how investments can cause market failure" use new runway as an example. #EconomicsExam

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 18, 2018

Exam tip 4: Evaluation: If 2 examples given in qu - Eg "Evaluate whether govt should promote TUs in countries such as UK and China" - The case for TUs may be stronger in one than the other - reach a supported judgement about which, not just reach judgement about TUs in general

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 18, 2018

Exam tip 5: AQA 2 marker - State the units for answer and if calculating a change, the direction of change, +ve or -ve. If % change, take change as a % of the original value not new. If qu says to 2DP be sure to do so. One dropped mark could cost a grade #Alevel #economics

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 19, 2018

Exam tip 6: Avoid costly errors by highlighting qu: eg Using the data in EXTRACT A, calculate, to TWO DP, the overall % CHANGE in HOUSEHOLD BILLS from 2009 to 2013. Highlight terms capitalised here and dates. #economicsexams

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 22, 2018

Exam tip 7: Highlight title and axes labels of graphs on the question paper to ensure you use the correct units and names of variables when quoting from the graph in your answers - esp relevant for AQA 4 markers and 10 markers on Paper 3 #aqaeconomics

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 24, 2018

Exam tip 8: Give diagrams a title - eg Diagram to show economies of scale in the car industry. This can help to tie your diagram into your written answer and earn credit for applying your diagram to the example at hand. #economicsalevel

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 24, 2018

Exam tip 9: When answering context qus, always highlight the source carefully before planning your answer. Points to use in your answer are often to be found in the extract as well as info to support evaluation #economicstechnique

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 25, 2018

Exam Tip 10: This one's a biggy! Does your 25 mark essay pass the conclusion test? Can the examiner tell what the question was just by reading your last paragraph? If not, you've probably not answered the question set! Hugely important #economics #economicsexams

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 26, 2018

Exam tip 11: Where's the DWL? Label the social optimum where MSB = MSC as Q*. The DLW is the triangle that "points towards the stars". Try it - it works! Thanks to my former student @Campbellminogue who originated this one I think.

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) April 30, 2018

Exam tip 12: 4 markers - Two key features (numbers and dates) that help to support the proposition. Definition of key terms. Very brief analysis (eg higher incomes lead to greater life expectancy due to meeting of basic needs). Consider doing simple calculations on data.

— Economics Today (@Peter_Cramp) May 1, 2018