The first and most crucial tip for success in A-Level economics is understanding the A-Level economics syllabus. First, A-Level economics students must establish which exam board they are taking—Cambridge, OxfordAQA, or Pearson. It is also important to recognise that the international A-Level economics does not necessarily equate to the A-Level economics course taught in the U.K. Therefore, international students must take particular care when researching the syllabus. Speaking to international students, each of the exam boards— Cambridge, OxfordAQA, or Pearson—have all made available course outlines for A-Level economics. These should be carefully studied to ensure a clear understanding of what the A-Level economics course covers for each exam board, as well as the format of the examinations. 

Regardless of the exam board, A-Level economics is a challenging course. Consequently, another tip for higher marks in the exam is building effective study habits. This is best done early on in the course, rather than leaving it until a few weeks before exam time. A-Level economics students can use flashcards to aid in revision of key economic concepts. These can be either physical or digital. The latter allows students to make use of spaced repetition to assist in memorisation. Similarly, developing mind maps can also be useful. However, it is important that anything developed for the purpose of revision, like mind maps, are housed together. Designate a specific notebook or notebooks and a folder for A-Level economics, in which all revision and note taking can be held. It may also be beneficial to work with peers. Some A-Level economics candidates find group study sessions beneficial, in which participants are assigned concepts or topics to revise and then teach to the rest of the group. 

All A-Level economics candidates, regardless of exam board, must familiarise themselves with relevant economic theories and models. For example, core principles of supply and demand as well as graphical representations like the AD-AS model (Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply) and PPFs (Production Possibility Frontiers). Those studying A-Level economics should review the content of their syllabus, whether  Cambridge, OxfordAQA, or Pearson, to establish what theories and models are most relevant to them. Additionally, it is recommended that A-Level economics candidates acquire the relevant textbooks for their particular exam board—Cambridge, OxfordAQA, or Pearson—to assist in revising economic theories and models. 

It is beneficial to those studying A-Level economics to be able to apply real-world examples to economic concepts. Students should, therefore, review the real world examples presented in the relevant economics textbooks and stay up-to-date on current affairs issues both nationally and internationally. This can mean reading up on economics related topics in the news, listening to related podcasts, or watching online lectures. An example of an applicable real-world example is the supply and demand shift that occurred during COVID-19, the effects of which have been written about by universities in both the U.K. and the U.S.

Success in any A-Level subject, including economics, comes down to preparedness. Thus, a tip for achieving higher grades in the A-Level economics exam is to develop an effective exam preparation strategy. Of course, each student learns differently but all A-Level economics students must ensure they have a thorough understanding of the economics syllabus before going into an exam. Moreover, past papers should be incorporated into revisions sessions. Each exam board—Cambridge, Pearsons, and OxfordAQA—have past papers available for A-Level economics candidates to make use of, to gain an understanding of the format and question types. Lastly, it is necessary to practise using a timer or stopwatch. The economics exam is timed, after all, so it is essential that candidates can complete questions within a set amount of time. 

In a high pressure situation like the A-Level economics exam, mistakes are bound to happen. Candidates have been known to neglect the inclusion of fundamental concepts, confuse terms like elastic demand and inelastic demand or merit goods vs public goods, and overlook the importance of evaluation in their essays. The most effective way to avoid commonly occurring mistakes in the A-Level economics exam is to review mark schemes. These are useful as they offer a clear insight into what it is examiners are looking for when it comes to exam paper responses. They state clearly what is needed to achieve full marks, regularly emphasising definitions of economics terms and concepts, as well as the rending of graphs to illustrate a point. All A-Level economics exam boards—Cambridge, Pearsons, and OxfordAQA—host mark schemes with their mock, sample, or past papers, and are invaluable to those sitting the A-Level economics exam.  

The A-Level economics examination is challenging, even for the most adept learners. At BartyED, we recognise the difficulties faced by students and are here to support young learners through these difficult periods. Our team of expert A-Level economics tutors seek to address the individual needs of each student, developing  a personalised approach to tuition. Each lesson plan is specifically designed to target areas of weakness and guide A-Level economics candidates towards subject mastery. If you think that you or your child could benefit from the guidance of an experienced A-Level economics tutor, reach out to us today by phone (+852 2882 1017) or email (enquiries@bartyed.com).

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