Ten Top Tips for AQA Econ 3 Paper

Good exam technique can make a significant difference to the grade you achieve in any economics exam. Once you have an understanding of all the theory it is essential that you apply, analyse and evaluate in order to maximise your marks. Below are my top tips for doing this.

1. Use the Case Study. There are huge clues in it which the examiner expects you to use. Too often students say to me that " they did not have time to read it". The fact is the examiner wants you to apply economic theory to the case study in order to answer the question. Remember the case study is your best mate in the exam.
2. Take time to choose the best essay and case study. Base your decision on the 25 marker. You do not want to start one question and then realise that you cannot answer it and have to start again.
3. In the 25 mark questions, make sure you evaluate in every paragraph. Remember 2 well developed paragraphs are far better than 5 brief and undeveloped paragraphs.
4. A final judgement is essential in the 25 mark questions. This should readdress the question. For example it could focus on the most important point to consider and why.
5. In the first part of the essay ( 15 marker ) no evaluation is required. Often students can write too much here, so once you have done 2 definitions, probably a diagram and 2 or 3 analysed points it is time to stop. Leave lots of space before you start the next question so you can add more if you have time at the end.
6. Diagrams should be big - half a page. A good diagram opens the door to great analysis and evaluation. Remember to relate it to the question.
7. In an exam situation it is easy to get carried away and find you are not really answering the question, so keep looking back at the question as you write. There is no point writing anything that is not answering the question. A good way to keep focus is to refer to the question. For example " another disadvantage of monopoly to consumers is...." if the question is about problems of monopoly.
8. Use real life examples in your answers as examiners like this. For example if talking about tacit collusion you could refer to the energy companies. Lots of examples can be found here.
9. When you make a evaluation point make sure you justify it. At A2 evaluation cannot simply be one line as it needs to be developed.
10. In every piece of analysis you write ensure there is a full chain of reasoning. So uses words and phrases like therefore, as a result and because. As I sometimes say to my students " assume the examiner is stupid".