Top Ten Tips for OCR AS Economics

Many thanks to Tim Mason for providing this helpful guide for students ahead of their papers. Tim welcomes all comments especially from centres who are experienced hands at the OCR course! Please leave your comments below.

The AS exam papers consist of a short case study followed by 6 or 7 questions, several of which have two or more parts. The timing for both papers is 90 minutes and there are 60 marks. (Approximately 1½ minutes a mark, but use less time on short answer questions and you need time to read the case study.) To get an A grade, you need to score 80% or 48/60.

1. Read the case study carefully noting any graphs or numerical data. Your answers should be written in context and use information in the case study. Look for “prompts” which will help you to answer some of the questions.

2. Learn definitions: there will be two or three 2 mark questions which require a definition of a basic term.

3. Look at the numerical data carefully: do not confuse percentages or index numbers with units of currency or any other value. Merely describing the data will get few marks; you are likely to be asked to compare values. Make one or two points and use figures to illustrate what you are writing.

4. Diagrams: When you are asked to draw a diagram, use pencil and ruler, label both axes fully and any lines/curves you draw. Label any points clearly; you need to be able to show how and why the equilibrium changes. (Well-drawn diagrams enable you to get a lot of marks quickly.)

5. Do not confuse micro and macro diagrams. In F581 (Markets in action) you are likely to use demand and supply diagrams. In F582 (The National and International Economy) you will almost certainly need to draw a AD/AS diagram. Practise drawing diagrams.

6. In F582, do not confuse investment and saving. An increase in output does not automatically mean that the current account of the balance of payments improves. Do not confuse a budget deficit or surplus with a current account deficit or surplus.

7. Three questions on each paper require evaluation. To get an A grade, you must do well in these questions. Look for directions like comment and discuss. Write your explanation and then add a comment about how significant a change is or how much it will affect something or what could limit the effects. (Spend about 10 minutes on 6 mark questions which require evaluation.)

8. Answer the question! Make sure that you answer the question set, not the one you wish had been set.

9. Structuring the longer essay: For the last, 18 mark, question you should think carefully about what is required and spend two or three minutes planning an answer. Write a short essay with an introduction, two or three paragraphs of argument and a conclusion which includes evaluation and answers the question. You should allow 30 minutes for this question.

10. Legibility rules ok!: Papers are scanned before marking. Write neatly in black ink in the spaces provided. If you need to use extra sheets of paper, make this clear.