Scheme of assessment
Find past papers and mark schemes, and specimen papers for new courses, on our website at aqa.org.uk/pastpapers
The AS specification is designed to be taken over one or two years with all assessments taken at the end of the course. The A-level specification is designed to be taken over two years with all assessments taken at the end of the course.
Assessments and certification for the AS specification are available for the first time in May/June 2016 and then every May/June for the life of the specification.
Assessments and certification for the A-level specification are available for the first time in May/June 2017 and then every May/June for the life of the specification.
These are linear qualifications. In order to achieve the award, students must complete all exams in May/June in a single year. All assessments must be taken in the same series.
All materials are available in English only.
AS
Our assessment in AS Economics includes questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to:
- draw together their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study
- provide extended responses.
For example the final question in Section B of both Papers 1 and 2 are extended response questions which require a student to draw together different areas of the specification. An ‘extended response’ is evidence generated by a student which is of sufficient length to allow that student to demonstrate the ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.
A-level
Our assessment in A-level Economics includes questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to:
- draw together their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study
- provide extended responses.
For example questions in Section B of Paper 3 are extended response questions which require a student to draw together different areas of the specification. An ‘extended response’ is evidence generated by a student which is of sufficient length to allow that student to demonstrate the ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.
Aims
Courses based on these specifications must encourage students to:
- develop an interest in and enthusiasm for the subject
- appreciate the contribution of economics to the understanding of the wider economic and social environment
- develop an understanding of a range of concepts and an ability to use those concepts in a variety of different contexts
- use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of economics and develop an ability to think as an economist
- understand that economic behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives
- develop analytical and quantitative skills, together with qualities and attitudes which will equip them for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult and working life.
Assessment objectives
Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all AS and A-level Economics specifications and all exam boards.
The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives.
- AO1: Demonstrate knowledge of terms/concepts and theories/models to show an understanding of the behaviour of economic agents and how they are affected by and respond to economic issues
- AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to various economic contexts to show how economic agents are affected by and respond to economic issues
- AO3: Analyse issues within economics, showing an understanding of their impact on economic agents
- AO4: Evaluate economic arguments and use qualitative and quantitative evidence to support informed judgements relating to economic issues
Weighting of assessment objectives for AS Economics
| Assessment objectives (AOs) | Component weightings (approx %) | Overall weighting (approx %) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | ||
| AO1 | 14–16 | 14–16 | 29–31 |
| AO2 | 15–17 | 15–17 | 31–33 |
| AO3 | 10–12 | 10–12 | 21–23 |
| AO4 | 7–9 | 7–9 | 15–17 |
| Overall weighting of components | 50 | 50 | 100 |
Weighting of assessment objectives for A-level Economics
| Assessment objectives (AOs) | Component weightings (approx %) | Overall weighting (approx %) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | ||
| AO1 | 5–8 | 5–8 | 7–10 | 20–23 |
| AO2 | 7–10 | 7–10 | 9–12 | 26–29 |
| AO3 | 9–11 | 9–11 | 6–9 | 26–29 |
| AO4 | 7–10 | 7–10 | 5–8 | 22–25 |
| Overall weighting of components | 33.3 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 100 |
Assessment weightings
The marks awarded on the papers will be scaled to meet the weighting of the components. Students' final marks will be calculated by adding together the scaled marks for each component. Grade boundaries will be set using this total scaled mark. The scaling and total scaled marks are shown in the table below.
AS
| Component | Maximum raw mark | Scaling factor | Maximum scaled mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: The operation of markets and market failure | 70 | x1 | 70 |
| Paper 2: The national economy in a global context | 70 | x1 | 70 |
| Total scaled mark: | 140 |
A-level
| Component | Maximum raw mark | Scaling factor | Maximum scaled mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Markets and market failure | 80 | x1 | 80 |
| Paper 2: National and international economy | 80 | x1 | 80 |
| Paper 3: Economic principles and issues | 80 | x1 | 80 |
| Total scaled mark: | 240 |
