The Perse School Cambridge

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• Why Economics?
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The AS level course is an introductory one and requires no previous knowledge of Economics. One of the attractions of the subject is the wide range of skills it develops. These include:

• A clear, logical mind. Economics involves understanding relationships and being able to apply theoretical knowledge to real world situations rather than simply learning facts.
• Writing skills. Although there are no essays at AS Level, they do form an important part of the assessment at A2 Level
• Numeracy. Although at degree level and beyond Economics requires good mathematical skills (nearly all universities require A level Mathematics and some Further Maths), the examination boards have deliberately excluded them at AS and A level. However, the interpretation of graphs and tables is an integral part of the course.

Course content

We use the AQA Economics specification. Full details of the course including past-papers can be accessed via the AQA website but an outline is provided below:

Unit 1:   Markets and Market Failure:

• The Economic Problem
• Allocation of Resources in Competitive Markets
• Monopoly, Production & Efficiency
• Market Failure
• Government Intervention in the Market & Government Failure

Assessment

• 1hr 15m – 50% of AS level (25 % of A level)
• 25 multiple-choice questions
• 1 data-response question from a choice of 2

Unit 2:   The National Economy:

• Performance of the UK Economy & Government Policy Objectives.
• How the Macroeconomy Works.
• Instruments of Government Economic Policy.

Assessment:

• 1hr 15m - 50% of AS level (25 % of A level)
•  25 multiple-choice questions
• 1 data-response question from a choice of 2

Teaching

As with most other subjects, the course is modular with the AS units being taken at the end of the first year. One of the two A2 modules will be taken in January of the Upper Sixth and the other at the end of the course.

Teaching throughout the course takes full advantage of the direct relevance of the subject to current developments and issues in the real world. Whatever the area of interest of the student, be it globalisation, the environment, inequality, the Eurozone or the City of London, Economics A level will cover much that is relevant, interesting and challenging.

Assessment

Assessment at both A2 and AS reflects the need to develop the skills the examiners are looking for, so frequent multiple-choice tests and data-responses are a regular feature of the course.