Interactive

Learner Guide

Cambridge IGCSE™
Economics 0455
Cambridge O Level
Economics 2281
For examination from 2020–2022

Version 1
Learner Guide

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Contents
About this guide 4

Section 1: Syllabus content – what you need to know about 5

Section 2: How you will be assessed 6

Section 3: What skills will be assessed 10

Section 4: Command words 12

Section 5: Example candidate response 14

Section 6: Revision 20

Section 7: Useful websites 36

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About this guide

This guide explains what you need to know about your Cambridge Economics course and examinations.
It will help you to:
99 understand what skills you should develop by taking this IGCSE course

99 understand how you will be assessed

99 understand what we are looking for in the answers you write

99 plan your revision programme

99 revise, by providing revision tips and an interactive revision checklist (Section 6).

Section 1: Syllabus content

Find out what topics you will be learning about. Your teacher can give you more detail.
Section 2: How you will be assessed
Find out
• how many examinations you will take 

• how long each examination lasts 

• what different question types the examination will contain 

• how to tackle each examination. 

Section 3: What skills will be assessed
Find out what areas of knowledge, understanding and skills you will need to demonstrate throughout the course and in your
examinations.
Section 4: Command words
Take a look at the command words you can find in the examination questions, and what they mean.
Section 5: Example candidate responses
Take a look at a learner’s response taken from a real examination. Find out:
• how to interpret the question 

• how to avoid common mistakes 

• how to improve your exam technique. 

Section 6: Revision
Discover:
• some ‘top revision tips’ 

• revision checklist for each topic. 

Section 7: Useful websites
A few websites that may be useful for you in your course.

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Section 1: Syllabus content - what you need to know about

This section gives you an outline of the syllabus content for this course. The six sections differ in the extent of their coverage,
Sections 2 and 4 include the most topics. Ask your teacher for more detail about each topic. You can also find more detail in
the Revision checklists of this guide.

Topic Overview
1 The basic problem This section introduces you to some of the key ideas in economics and helps
you to start to think as an economist. It covers the important questions all
countries have to answer, the reasons why we have to make choices and the
resources used to produce goods and services.
2 The allocation of resources This section examines why some products are expensive while others are
cheap and why the output of some products are increasing while others
are declining. You will consider why a change in price has more impact on
some products than others and why the government seeks to influence what
products we buy.
3 Microeconomic decision makers This section focuses on some of the key economic agents who decide what
goods and services are produced and the amount people spend, save and
borrow. The section examines the role of bank, households, workers, trade
unions and firms.
4 Government and the macroeconomy In this section attention switches to the economy as a whole. It covers
the key indicators of the performance of an economy which are economic
growth, inflation, unemployment and the country’s international trade
position. It examines the government’s aims in relation to these indicators
and to the redistribution of income. It also explores the different types of
policy measures a government can use to achieve these aims.
5 Economic development This section explores some of the influences on how the quality of people’s
lives can be different in different countries and over tie. It includes the
causes and consequences of changes in living standards, income distribution,
poverty, population size and structure.
6 International trade and globalisation In this last section, the focus is on the global economy. The benefits of
countries trading between each other is examined as well as why, despite
these benefits, governments impose restrictions on this trade. How foreign
exchange rates are determined and the causes and consequences of exchange
rate changes are explored. The last topic covered is the current account of
the balance of payments. This is a record of what a country sells and buys to
other countries and the income it earns form and pays abroad.

Make sure you always check the latest syllabus, which is available at www.cambridgeinternational.org

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Section 2: How you will be assessed

You will be assessed at the end of the course using two papers:
• Paper 1 Multiple Choice
• Paper 2 Structured Questions

Components at a glance
This table summarises the key information about each examination paper.

Component Time and Skills assessed Details Percentage of

marks qualification
Knowledge and 30 questions
Paper 1 Multiple 45 minutes
understanding 30%
Choice One answer has to be selected from
30 marks
Analysis four options: A, B, C and D.
Knowledge and
2 hours and 15 understanding One compulsory question based on
Paper 2
minutes stimulus material and three four-part
Structured 70%
Analysis questions form a choice of four have
Questions 90 marks to be answered.
Evaluation

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About each paper

Paper 1
Paper 1 covers the whole syllabus. Each of the 30 multiple-choice questions is worth one mark. Some of the questions include
diagrams, for example, questions 1, 5, 13, 24 and 29 on the specimen paper, and other question include tables of data, for
example, questions 14, 18 and 22 .You may also be required to carry out calculations such as in question 29. There is an
average of one and a half minutes available for each question. You will be able to answer the more straightforward questions
in less time, for example, question15 and 26, while the more challenging ones, such as question 22 and 30, will take slightly
longer. Check all the options carefully. If you are finding a question difficult, leave it and come back to it. It is important that
you answer all the questions. There are no marks deducted for incorrect answers, so if you do not know the answer, guess.

Some questions include diagrams.

Some questions include data.

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Some questions require you

to carry out calculations.

Paper 2
Paper 2 covers the whole syllabus. You have to answer the first question. This is worth 30 marks and is based on source
material. It is useful to read the approximately six to eight question parts first and then read the source material so that
you know what you are looking for from the source material. It is best to answer the question parts in order, as they tend to
increase in terms of learning objectives.
You may be asked to carry out a calculation. If this is the case, it is advisable to show your workings. This is because if more
than one mark is awarded for the correct answer, you may be able to gain a mark for the right working even if you make a
miscalculation.
Pay careful attention to the command words and the marks awarded. For example, if a question part asks you to identify
two economic good from the stimulus material, and awards two marks, just state them. Do not waste time explaining them,
you will not gain any more marks.
The last two question parts, worth 6 marks each, will require you to ‘discuss’. You will need to answer these two questions in
some depth, considering both sides of the issues involved.
It is advisable to spend 45 minutes answering the first question and half an hour each on the three optional questions, you
select. Choose your optional questions carefully. You might think that you can write strong answers to question 2(a) and
question 2(b) but are unsure how to answer question 2(c) and question 2(d). In contrast, you may not know the answer to
question 3(a) and might only be able to explain one rather than two reasons in question 3(b). Nevertheless, if you think you
could provide strong answers to 3(c) and 3(d), it would be better to select question 3 than question 2.

Part (a) questions

Part (a) of each optional question is worth 2 marks. This part should be answered briefly. What
is important is accuracy and precision. For example, in answering question 2(a) an answer such
as ‘a budget deficit is too much spending’ is too vague and would not gain any marks.

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Part (b) questions

Part (b) is worth 4 marks and requires you to explain. If you are asked to explain, for example,
two reasons, do not waste time explaining three reasons. Make sure that the explanation that
you give makes clear how or why, for instance the supply of bananas may decrease (question
3(b).

Part (c) questions

Part (c) is worth 6 marks and you have to analyse. This involves providing links between points.
When answering this question part, you should again bear in mind the words ‘how’ and ‘why’. For
instance, in answering question 2(c) on the specimen paper, you need to analyse, in some depth,
how a fall in unemployment may increase a country’s inflation rate. In question 3(c) you need to
make clear why an MNC may produce in particular countries.

You need to devote the greatest amount of time to the last question part, part (d). This part requires you to consider two sides
of a question. For instance, in answering question 2(d) you should explore the advantages and disadvantages a country may
gain from the emigration of some of its people. It is important that you explain the points you make. For instance. It is not
enough to state that emigration may result in a fall in output. You would need to explain that the people who emigrate might
have been workers, producing goods and services.
Revising for the examination
Revision is a continuous process, something you should be doing throughout your course. Multiple-choice questions are
a good way to review your understanding and reinforce your learning. There is a wide range of multiple choice questions
available including those on past papers, in textbooks and online.
Practising answering structured questions is also a useful revision method. You can answer question parts on a particular topic
after you have completed it.

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Section 3: What skills will be assessed

The areas of knowledge, understanding and skills that you will be assessed on are called assessment objectives (AOs).

AO1 AO2 AO3

Knowledge and Analysis Evaluation
understanding

The table below explains what each assessment objective means and what percentage of the whole qualification is assessed
using that objective. Your teacher will be able to give you more information about how each of the assessment objectives are
tested in each component.

Assessment What does the AO mean? What do you need to be able to do?
objectives (AO)
AO1 Being able to recall economic • Define economic terms accurately.
terms and concepts, showing • Provide accurate formulas.
Knowledge and
an awareness of their meaning
understanding • Use economic terminology.
and being able to use them in
relevant ways. • Make points clear.
AO2 Interpreting and processing • Select, organise and interpret data.
economic data and exploring • Use economic data to recognise patterns and relationships.
Analysis
economic issues and situations
• Develop links between causes and consequences.
by developing links.

AO3 Assessing economic issues and • Evaluate economic data, issues and situations.
situations, taking account of • Support assessment with relevant economic analysis.
Evaluation
both sides of the issues and
• Recognise that outcomes of economic decisions and events
situations.
may be uncertain.
• Express the evaluation in a logical way.

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Weighting for assessment objectives

It is important that you know the different weightings (%) of the assessment objectives, as this affects how the examiner will
assess your work.
Knowledge and understanding has a weighting of 50% on Paper 1 and 35% on Paper 2. Analysis has a weighting of 50% on
Paper 1 and 35% on Paper 2. Evaluation has a weighting of 30% on Paper 2 but is not assessed on Paper 1.
The approximate weightings of the assessment objectives (AOs) are summarised below.

Assessment objectives as a percentage of each component

Assessment objective Weighting in components %

Paper 1 30% Paper 2 70%
AO1 Knowledge and understanding 50 35
AO2 Analysis 50 35
AO3 Evaluation 0 30

Assessment objectives as a percentage of the qualification

Assessment objective Weighting in the full qualification %

AO1 Knowledge and understanding 40
AO2 Analysis 40
AO3 Evaluation 20

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Section 4: Command words

The table below includes command words used in the assessment for this syllabus. The use of the command word will relate
to the subject context.

Command word What it means

Analyse Examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

Calculate Work out from given facts, figures or information

Define Give precise meaning

Describe State the points of a topic/ give characteristics and main features

Discuss Write about issue(s) or topic(s) in depth in a structured way

Set out purposes or reasons/ make the relationships between things evident/ provide why and/ or
Explain
how and support with relevant evidence
Give Produce an answer from a given source or recall/ memory

Identify Name / select / recognise

State Express in clear terms

Identify Here you just have to name two characteristics of

money. You could bullet point these, e.g.
• Generally acceptable
• Divisible
It would be useful to underline the word ‘characteristics' so
that you do not identify two functions of money by mistake.

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Explain In this case, you need to make clear why governments

provide public goods. If you can remember the characteristic
of non-excludability that public goods possess, this will help
you frame your answer. Make clear why not being able to stop
non-payers (free=riders) from consuming the product means
that the government provides public goods.

Analyse Here you need to bring out the links between the measures
a central bank can take and a reduction in household borrowing. Do
not jump stages. For instance, it is not sufficient just to write that
a rise in the rate of interest may reduce household borrowing. You
have to analyse why this may be the case.

Discuss In this case, you should explore both why a government

should impose tariffs on the country’s imports and why it should
not. You need to establish all the points you make. For example, you
may write that tariffs should not be imposed as it will raise price.
This is, indeed, likely to happen but you need to analyse how this
may occur and why it would be a disadvantage.

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Section 5: Example candidate response

This section takes you through an example question and answer from a Cambridge IGCSE Economics specimen paper. It will
help you to see how to identify command words within questions and to understand what is required in your response. A
command word is the part of the question that tells you what you need to do with your knowledge. For example, you might
need to describe something, explain something, argue a point of view or list what you know.

All information and advice in this section is specific to the example question and answer
being demonstrated. It should give you an idea of how your responses might be viewed by an
examiner but it is not a list of what to do in all questions. In your own examination, you will
need to pay careful attention to what each question is asking you to do.

This section of the guide includes:

5.1 Question
The command words in the question have been highlighted
and their meaning explained. This should help you to
understand clearly what is required by the question.

5.2 Mark scheme

This tells you as clearly as possible what an examiner expects
from an answer to award marks.

5.3 Example candidate response

This answer has been marked by a Cambridge examiner.
Good points and problems have been highlighted.

5.4 How the answer could have been improved

This summarises what could be done to gain more marks.

5.5 Common mistakes

This will help you to avoid common mistakes made by
candidates. So often candidates lose marks in their exams
because they misread or misinterpret the questions.

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5.1 Question
The question used in this example is question 3 from Paper 2. Now let’s look at the question to see what the command words
for this question mean for your answer.

(b) Explain Here you need to identify two reasons why

the supply of bananas may decrease and how these
(a) Define This question part requires you to reasons would cause less bananas to be supplied at
give the precise meaning of a maximum price. each and every price.

(c) Analyse In this case, you need to identify and (d) Discuss This question part is asking you to
explore two or more factors that could cause a explore both the reasons why a government
firm to produce in another country. should give a subsidy to fruit pickers and why it
should not.

5.2 Mark scheme

Mark scheme criteria What it means
Q3(a) Define maximum price (2) A mark for recognising it is the highest price producers are
allowed to charge.
A price that producers cannot charge above a price ceiling (1)
set by the government (1) A mark for mentioning that it is likely to be set by the
government.
Q3(b) Explain two reasons why the supply of bananas may One mark for the first reason identified and one mark for
decrease (4) that reason being explained.
Logical explanations which might include: One mark for the second reason identified and one mark for
that reason being explained.
• a period of bad weather/natural disaster (1) this would
decrease the crop (1) Example of a reason identified and explained.
• a rise in costs of production (1) e.g. higher wages paid to A tax being imposed on bananas (identification of a reason).
farm workers would make it more expensive to produce Such a tax would increase the costs a farmer has to pay to
the product (1) grow and sell bananas. This may discourage some farmers
• a government tax (1) this acts as a disincentive/is an from growing bananas (explanation).
extra cost (1)

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Mark scheme criteria What it means

• the removal of a subsidy (1) would reduce the incentive
to produce the product (1)
• a change in the price of other crops (1) may encourage a
shift of resources (1)
• change in the availability of land (1) e.g. flooding may
reduce the supply of land (1)

3(c) Analyse the factors which lead to an MNC to produce in For 6 marks, at least two factors have to be analysed.
particular countries (6)
Example:
Coherent analysis which might include:
If the MNC produces in the countries it will not have to
• Size of market (1) if demand for the product/s produced pay any tariffs imposed on imports (one mark). This would
is high in the country (1) higher revenue may be earned reduce its costs of production (one mark) enabling it to sell
(1) its products at a lower price which may increase its sales
• Costs of production (1) e.g. low wages/low raw material (one mark).
costs may attract multinational companies (MNCs) (1) The countries may possess raw materials not available in the
home country (one mark) the raw materials will not have to
• Availability of raw materials (1) certain raw materials e.g.
copper may be found in a small number of countries (1) be transported (one mark) this will lower costs of production
• Trade protection (1) MNCs may set up in a country to get (one mark).
round tariffs (1)
• Government subsidies (1) financial help may be given to
companies setting up in some countries (1)
• Fewer government regulations (1) MNCs may set up in
countries with fewer rules and laws (1)
• Skills of workers (1) highly skilled workers will produce
products of a good quality (1)
3(d) Discuss whether or not a government subsidy given to Level 3 6 – 8 marks
producers will benefit consumers (8)
A two-sided approach with clear and in-depth analysis on
See mark scheme for level descriptions: both sides.
Level 3 Level 2 3 – 5 marks
Level 2 A two-sided approach with analysis which lacks some depth
or a one-sided approach with developed analysis.
Level 1
Level 1 1 – 2 marks
Level 0
Some undeveloped statements.
Level 0 0 marks
Not including any credit-worthy content.
Reasons why it should may include: a higher output, better
quality and correcting market failure as fruit is under-
consumed if left to market forces.
Reasons why it should not may include: the subsidy may
not lower price especially if demand is inelastic, it may
make farmers less concerned with quality and will involve an
opportunity cost.

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5.3 Example candidate response

The upper limit on the price that producers can charge.

This answer would be strengthened by mentioning who would set the upper limit. This would increase the mark
awarded from 1 to 2.

Supply may decrease if costs of production rise. This would cause the supply curve to
shift to the left and price to rise.
The supply of bananas may also decrease if it becomes more profitable to grow another
crop. Farmers may use fewer resources to growing bananas and more of their resource
growing other fruit. This will reduce the quantity of bananas offered for sale.

The second part of the answer does explain a possible reason why the supply of bananas may decrease. The first
part of the answer identifies a cause of a decrease in supply. It would, however, have been stronger if why a rise
in the costs of production would decrease supply and if the reason had been related specifically to the supply of
bananas. A stronger first part would raise the mark awarded from 3 to 4.

An MNC may decide to produce in a country because the country may have skilled
workers. The country may have a good education system which develops strong skills
in its workers. Skilled workers should mean that productivity is high. This may mean
that the average cost of producing a product may be relatively low. An MNC would be
attracted by a low cost of production as it may mean that profit is high.
Skilled workers can also reduce costs of production by lowering the costs of training.
Skilled workers should pick up quickly on the MNC's methods of production and any
new technology the MNC introduces. In addition, it is possible that skilled workers may
come up with ideas on how to improve production methods.

This answer provides a clear analysis of the influence of the presence of skilled workers. Links are provided
between skilled workers, productivity, training cost, costs of production and profit. The candidate, however, did
not read the question carefully enough. The questions asks for analysis of factors. Factors is plural and so at least
two factors have to be analysed. The presence of skilled workers is only one factor. If the candidate had included
analysis of another factor such as availability of raw materials, the mark awarded could have been increased from
4 to 6 marks.

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A government subsidy given to fruit producers will provide them with an extra
payment for growing fruit. This will encourage farmers to grow more fruit.

Price S
of D
fruit
S 1

P
P 1

S
S 1
D

0 Q Q 1
Quantity
of fruit

A lower price will mean that consumers will be able to buy more fruit for the same
amount of money. They may also have more money available to buy other goods and
services.
If the subsidy encourages people to switch from buying a substitute to fruit such as
sweets, they may be more healthy.
Consumers who do not like fruit will not benefit from the lower price of fruit. They
may also suffer if they like vegetables and the subsidy encourages farmers to grow
more fruit but less vegetables. Some of the farmland and workers that had been used
to grow vegetables may now be devoted to growing fruit. Spending government money
on a subsidy to fruit producers will involve an opportunity cost. It is possible that
consumers would benefit from the money being used in other ways, including giving a
subsidy to farmers growing vegetables.
Farmers may also not reduce the price of fruit by much. They may decide not to
pass on much of the subsidy to consumers. This may be the case if demand for fruit is
inelastic. as a fall in price will cause a smaller percentage rise in demand.

The answer is clear and two-sided. There is use of the economic concepts of substitutes, inelastic demand and
opportunity cost. The answer is on the borderline of the top level. There are a number of ways it could have been
strengthened. One is that while the diagram is an accurate and relevant one, it is not explained in the answer. It
could have been used to bring out the links between a subsidy, higher supply and lower price.

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5.4 How the answer could have been improved

The candidate could also have considered the possible effects that a subsidy could have on the quality of fruit grown. In
addition, the candidate could have developed the point about making people healthier by considering the merit good nature
of fruit.

5.5 Common mistakes

Q3(a) Candidates often confuse maximum and minimum prices. A number of candidates devote too much time to the first
question part. In this case, some candidates might have mentioned that a maximum price would only have an impact on the
market if it is set below the equilibrium price. This is correct but is not needed in a definition.
Q3(b) When asked to explain why supply may decrease, candidates often refer to a fall in price. Such a change in price would
cause a contraction in supply rather than a decrease in supply.
Q3(c) Some candidates when asked questions about MNCs, concentrate on the effects of the presence of MNCs on their host
countries even if that is not the specific focus of the question.
Q3(d) The question is about a subsidy to producers but some candidates may confuse this with a subsidy to consumers and
write about an increase in demand causing price to rise.
Some common mistakes include:
• Not preparing for the examination. To do well you have to work throughout your course and to undertake good quality
revision.
• Giving imprecise definitions. Some candidates rush definitions and others do use economic terminology in their answers.
• Confusing economic terms and concepts. There are a number of terms including investment and saving that some
candidates confuse.
• Stating rather than explaining points in questions that require explanation, analysis and evaluation.
• Jumping links. Some candidates do seek to explain but miss out some of the links..
• Not answering the specific question. Some candidates lose focus in their answers. In some cases, candidates, try turn the
question into one they would like to answer. Others start by answering the question and then wander off the central focus
of the question.

General advice
To do well in answering a question, make sure that you:
• Read questions carefully, noting the command words.
• Allocate your time appropriately. For example, do not spend too much time on the low mark questions.
• Use economic terminology.
• Answer the actual questions set.
• Be flexible in your thinking so that you can apply your knowledge and understanding to questions you have not seen
before.
• Support the statements you make in the explanation, analysis and evaluation questions.
• Indicate which question parts you are answering.
• Write clearly so that the examiner can read your answers.

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Section 6: Revision
This advice will help you revise and prepare for the examinations. It is divided into general advice for all papers and more
specific advice for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Use the tick boxes to keep a record of what you have done, what you plan to do or what you understand.
For more advice on revision, see the Cambridge Learner Revision Guide on our website.

General advice
Before the examination
Find out when the examinations are and plan your revision so you have time to revise. Create a revision timetable and
divide it into sections to cover each topic.
Find out how long each paper is, how many questions you have to answer, how many marks there are for each question,
and work out how long you have for each question.
Find out the choices you have on each paper, make sure you know how many sections there are and which sections you
should answer from.
When there is a choice of questions in a section, make sure you revise enough to have a choice.
Know the meaning of the command words used in questions and how to apply them to the information given. Look at
past examination papers and highlight the command words and check what they mean.
Make revision notes. Try different styles of notes.
Work for short periods then have a break. Revise small sections of the syllabus at a time.
Test yourself by writing out key points, redrawing diagrams, etc.
Make sure you define, economic terms accurately. For example, demand is not simply ‘wanting something’, it is ‘the
willingness and ability to buy a product’.
Definitions must not reuse the words to be defined. For example, no marks would be gained for writing that a state-
owned enterprise is ‘an enterprise that is owned by the state.’ Two marks, however, would be awarded for ‘a firm owned
by the government.’
Make your own dictionary or draw up a glossary of key terms for each section of the syllabus.
Look at diagrams, tables, etc. to find out what they show; e.g., recognising the relationships between real GDP and
investment, understanding why the price of a product has risen.
Practise drawing clear, accurate, fully-labelled diagrams and maps.
Learn to spell economic terms correctly.
Have a look at past questions so that you are clear of what to expect in an examination.
Look at mark schemes to help you to understand how the marks are awarded for each question.

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In the examination
Read the instructions carefully and answer the right number of questions from the right sections.
Do not answer more questions than are needed, as this will not gain you more marks in the examination.
Plan your time according to the marks for each question. For example, a question worth three marks requires less time
and a shorter answer than one worth 10 marks. If a question has several parts, then the parts with more marks will need
more time and more developed answers.
Do not leave out questions or parts of questions. Remember, no answer means no mark.
Read each question very carefully.
• Identify the command words – you could underline or highlight them.
• Identify the other key words and perhaps underline them too.
• Try to put the question into your own words to understand what it is really asking.
Read all parts of a question before starting your answer. Think carefully about what is needed for each part. You will not
need to repeat material.
Look very carefully at the resource material you are given.
• Read the title, key, axes of graphs, etc. to find out exactly what it is showing you.
• Look for dates, scale, and location.
• Try using coloured pencils or pens to pick out anything that the question asks you about.
Answer the question. This is very important!
Use your knowledge and understanding.
Do not just write all you know, only write what is needed to answer the question.
Plan your answers to the higher mark questions. Clear, concise, well-ordered, well-argued, well-supported answers get
more marks than long, rambling, muddled, repetitious answers. Quality is better than quantity.
Use economic terms in your answers.
Use the resource material given in the question to support your answer.
Explain any diagrams you draw to support your answer..
Make sure your writing is clear and easy to read. It is no good writing a brilliant answer if the examiner cannot read it!

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Paper 1 advice
Practise multiple-choice questions on each topic when you have completed it.
Ensure you have a pencil, rubber and calculator with you during the examination.
Read each question carefully. A question, for instance, may ask you which policy measure is not a monetary policy
measure, In this case, a rise in the interest rate would be an incorrect option whereas a rise in a sales tax would be right.
In some cases, a correct option may stand out clearly. In other cases, you may need to eliminate the three incorrect
options to arrive at the correct one.
Sometimes it may be useful to draw a diagram to help you to determine the correct answer.
If you are finding a question difficult, leave it and come back to it.
If you change your mind over an answer, firmly rub out the lozenge you have selected and enter a new lozenge.
Do not leave any question unanswered, If necessary guess as you have a 25% chance of getting it right.

Paper 2 advice
Practise answering structured questions before the examination, including under test conditions.
Ensure you have two black pens, aa pencil, a rubber, a ruler and a calculator with you during the examination.
Read the questions carefully, including the command words.
Consider what economics can be applied in answering the questions.
Make sure you make use of the source material in your answers to the first question.
Select the three optional questions carefully. Consider each of the question parts of each optional question.
Do not answer all the optional questions. The marks for only three optional questions will be taken into account.
Answering four optional questions would reduce the amount of time you could devote to three questions.
Read the stimulus material that appears at the start of the optional questions. The stimulus material puts the questions in
context and is likely to reduce your chances of misinterpreting a particular term.
It is useful to answer the question parts in order as the skill levels rise.
Use a ruler and a pencil to draw diagrams. A ruler will make your diagrams neater and using a pencil will enable you to
correct mistakes.
Label diagrams and make them a reasonable size – one quarter to one third of a page in size.
It is useful to devote a paragraph to each major point.
If a question asks you about a specific product, policy or situation, relate your answer to the example given.
Answer the specific question set. Advice that are not relevant will not only earn no marks, they also waste valuable times.
It is often useful to include real world examples in answers. These can be drawn from your own country.

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Revision checklists
In the next part of this guide we have provided some revision checklists. These include information from the syllabus that you should revise. They don’t contain all the detailed knowledge
you need to know, just an overview. For more detail see the syllabus and talk to your teacher.
The table headings are explained below:

Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

These are the This is what you should be able to do or know for each part of the You can use the tick boxes to show when you have revised Here is some extra advice to help
topics in the syllabus an item and how confident you feel about it. you with your revision.
syllabus
Detailed points about the content of the syllabus R = RED means you are really unsure and lack confidence;
you might want to focus your revision here and possibly
talk to your teacher for help
A = AMBER means you are reasonably confident but need
some extra practice
G = GREEN means you are very confident.
As your revision progresses, you can concentrate on the
RED and AMBER items in order to turn them into GREEN
items. You might find it helpful to highlight each topic in
red, orange or green to help you prioritise.

Note: the tables below cannot contain absolutely everything you need to know, but it does use examples wherever it can.

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Topic 1: The basic economic problem

Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

1.1 The nature of the • define the economic problem Find examples of the economic problem in the
economic problem context of consumers, workers, producers and
the government.
• analyse examples of the economic problem
It is useful to apply the concept of opportunity
• explain the difference between economic and free goods cost to distinguish between economic and free
goods.

1.2 The factors of • define land, labour, capital and enterprise Land is the factor of production candidates
production often get confused about. Remember it
includes all natural resources.
• explain the characteristics of the factors of production
Consider both occupational and geographical
• evaluate the influences on the mobility of the factors of production mobility.

• evaluate the causes of changes in the quantity and quality of factors of production

1.3 Opportunity cost • define opportunity cost When defining opportunity cost, it is useful to
give an example.
• give examples of opportunity cost in different contexts Opportunity cost is an important economic
concepts and can be applied to a wide range of
• evaluate the role of opportunity cost in decisions made by consumers, workers, decisions.
producers and governments when allocating their resources
1.4 Production • define a PPC Make sure you draw a PPC to the axes.
possibility curve
PPC diagrams can be used to illustrate
diagrams (PPC)
• draw and interpret a PPC opportunity cost, scarcity, choice, efficiency
and economic growth.
• explain the significance of different points on a PPC

• analyse the causes and consequences of movements along and shifts in PPCs

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Topic 2: The allocation of resources

Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

2.1 Microeconomics • explain the difference between microeconomics and macroeconomics and the decision Section 1 is largely microeconomics, Sections
and makers involved in each case 2 and 3 are microeconomics and Sections 4, 5
macroeconomics. and 6 are macroeconomics.
2.2 The role of • analyse how resources are allocated in a market economy Demand and supply diagrams can be useful
markets in allocating to explain how a market can move from
resources disequilibrium to equilibrium.
• distinguish between market equilibrium and market disequilibrium

• explain the three economic questions

• analyse the role of the price mechanism in a market system

2.3 Demand • define demand Use the terms extensions and contractions to
describe movements along a demand curve and
increases and decreases in demand to describe
• draw a demand curve and explain movements along a demand curve.
shifts in demand.
• explain how individual demand is totalled to give market demand Remember that increases and decreases in
demand can be caused by any influence on
• analyse the causes of shifts in demand curves and draw diagrams to illustrate the shifts demand other than a change in the price of the
product.
2.4 Supply • define supply Remember that while a demand curve slopes
down from left to right, a supply curve slopes
up from left to right.
• draw a supply curve and explain movements along a supply curve

• explain how individual supply is totalled to give market supply

• analyse the causes of shifts in supply curves and draw diagrams to illustrate the shifts

2.5 Price • analyse how the interaction of demand and supply determine equilibrium price Remember that shortages arise when price
determination is below equilibrium whereas surpluses arise
when price is above equilibrium.
• draw demand and supply diagrams to illustrate equilibrium and disequilibrium prices

• interpret demand and supply schedules and curves to identify shortages and surpluses

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

2.6 Price changes • analyse the causes of price changes Be careful with the order of changes in market
conditions. For instance, an increase in demand
will cause a rise in price. The higher price will
• evaluate the effects of changes in demand and supply on equilibrium price and the
cause supply to extend.
quantity bought and sold

• use demand and supply diagrams to illustrate the causes and effects of price changes

2.7 Price elasticity of • calculate PED using the formula % change in quantity demanded divided by the % Remember the importance of % changes in
demand (PED) change in price calculating and interpreting PED. For instance,
a price change may cause a small change in
demand but if the change in price is smaller in
• interpret PED figures, recognising the difference between perfectly elastic demand,
% terms, demand is elastic.
elastic demand, unit demand elasticity, inelastic demand and perfectly inelastic
demand

• draw and interpret demand curve diagrams to show different PED

• evaluate the key influences on whether demand is elastic or inelastic

• analyse the relationship between PED and total spending on a product/revenue both in
a diagram and as a calculation

• evaluate the implications of PED for decision making by consumers, producers and
government
2.8 Price elasticity of • define PES Be careful not to confuse PED and PES.
supply (PES)
• calculate PES using the formula % change in quantity supplied divided by percentage
change in price

• interpret PES figures, recognising the difference between perfectly elastic supply,
elastic supply, unit supply elasticity, inelastic supply and perfectly inelastic supply

• draw and interpret supply curve diagrams to show different PES

• analyse the key influences on whether supply is elastic or inelastic

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

• evaluate the implications of PES for decision making by consumers, producers and
government
2.9 Market economic • define market economic system Remember the key role of the price mechanism
system in a market economy.
• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the market economic system

2.10 Market failure • define market failure Market failure results in the overconsumption
of demerit goods and goods with external costs
and the underconsumption of merit goods and
• define a public good, a merit good, a demerit good, social benefits, external benefits,
goods with external benefits. If left to market
private benefits, social costs, external costs and private costs
forces, public goods would not be produced.
Monopoly power can result in high prices and
• analyse the causes of market failure with respect to public goods, merit and demerit
restricted supply. Factor immobility can cause
goods, external costs and benefits, abuse of monopoly power and factor immobility
shortages and surpluses.

• evaluate the consequences of market failure

2.11 Mixed economic • define a mixed economic system It is useful to compare market and mixed
system economic systems.
• define regulation, privatisation, nationalisation and direct provision of goods Use demand and supply diagrams to analyse
and evaluate maximum prices, minimum prices,
• evaluate maximum and minimum prices in product, labour and foreign exchange indirect taxes and subsidies.
markets

• evaluate the effects of indirect taxes

• evaluate the effects of subsidies

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Topic 3: Microeconomic decision makers

Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

3.1 Money and • analyse the forms, functions and characteristics of money Be careful not to confuse the functions and
banking characteristics of money.
• evaluate the role and importance of central banks and commercial banks for Compare the functions and performance of the
government, producers and consumers central bank of your country and another well-
known central bank
3.2 Households • evaluate the influences of spending, saving and borrowing including income, the rate of Remember that while the poor spend less
interest and confidence between different households and over time than the rich, they are likely to spend a higher
proportion of their income.
3.3 Workers • evaluate the factors affecting an individual’s choice of occupation Compare the differences in earnings of a range
of workers e.g. skilled/unskilled, primary/
secondary/tertiary, male/female, private
• analyse how wages are determined including the influences of demand and supply,
sector/public sector.
relative bargaining power and government policy
It is important to apply demand and supply
• evaluate the reasons for differences in earnings including differences in demand and analysis. This can include the PED and PES of
supply, relative bargaining strength, discrimination and government policy labour.

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of division of labour for workers, firms and
the economy
3.4 Trade unions • define a trade union It would be useful to research the role of a trade
union in your country or a nearby country.
• analyse the role of trade unions in the economy including engaging in collective
bargaining on wages, working hours and working conditions, protecting employment
and influencing government policy

• analyse the factors influencing the strength of trade unions

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of trade union activity from the viewpoint
of workers, firms and the government

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

3.5 Firms • classify firms in terms of primary/secondary/tertiary sectors, private/public sector and Compare the advantages and disadvantages of
the relative size small and large firms.
Find examples of small firms. large firms and
• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of small firms and reasons for their mergers from your own country.
existence
Relate internal and external economies and
diseconomies of scale to particular firms and
• analyse the causes and forms of the growth of firms industries.

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different types of mergers: horizontal,

vertical and conglomerate

• evaluate how internal and external economies and diseconomies of scale can affect a
firm/industry as the scale of production changes
3.6 Firms and • evaluate the influences on demand for factors of production including demand for Candidates regularly confuse production and
production the product, the price of different factors of production, their availability and their productivity. Be sure that you are clear on the
productivity difference and remember that production can
rise while productivity falls.
• evaluate the reasons for adopting labour-intensive and capital-intensive production
and their advantages and disadvantages

• explain the difference between and influences on production and productivity

3.7 Firms’ costs, • define total cost, average total cost, fixed cost, variable cost, average fixed cost and Compare how different costs are affected by
revenue and average variable cost changes in output.
objectives
Think about how changes in revenue and costs
• calculate total cost, average total cost, fixed cost, variable cost, average fixed cost and affect profit.
average variable cost
Consider why firms may follow different
objectives and whether these objectives will
• draw and interpret diagrams that show how changes in output affect costs of conflict.
production

• define total revenue and average revenue

• calculate total revenue and average revenue

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

• analyse the influence of sales on revenue

• evaluate the objectives of firms including survival, social welfare, profit maximisation
and growth
3.8 Market structure • evaluate the effect of a high number of firms on price, quality, choice and profit Compare the advantages and disadvantages of
competitive markets and monopoly markets for
consumers, producers and the economy.
• analyse the characteristics of monopoly

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of monopoly

Topic 4: Government and the macroeconomy

Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

4.1 The role of • analyse the role of government locally, nationally and internationally Find out information about the role of
government government in your local area.

4.2 The • explain the macroeconomic aims of government in terms of economic growth, full Find out what are the aims of your government
macroeconomic aims employment/low inflation, stable prices/low inflation, balance of payments stability and assess how successful it is in achieving
of government and redistribution of income these aims.

• evaluate the reasons behind the choice of aims and the criteria that governments set
for each aim

• evaluate possible conflicts between macroeconomic aims

4.3 Fiscal policy • define the budget Remember it is the percentage of income paid
and not the total amount paid that determines
whether a tax is progressive, proportional or
• analyse the main areas of government spending and the reasons for and effects of
regressive.
spending in these areas
Find out if your government has a budget
• analyse the reasons for levying taxation deficit or a budget surplus.

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

• explain the different classifications of tax: progressive, regressive, proportional and
direct and indirect

• explain the qualities of a good tax

• evaluate the impact of taxation on consumers, producers, government and the

economy as a whole

• define fiscal policy

• analyse fiscal policy measures

• evaluate the effects of fiscal policy measures on government macroeconomic aims

4.4 Monetary policy • define the money supply Remember that while a rise in the rate of
interest is likely to increase saving, it is likely to
reduce investment.
• define monetary policy

• analyse the effects of changes in interest rates, the money supply and foreign exchange
rates

• evaluate the effects of monetary policy measures on government macroeconomic aims

4.5 Supply-side • define supply-side policy While fiscal and monetary policy may be used
policy to increase or reduce total demand, supply-side
policy is only used to increase total supply.
• analyse supply-side policy measures including education and training, labour market
reforms, lower direct taxes, deregulation, improving incentives to work and invest and There are some policy measures which may
privatisation be a fiscal policy or a supply-side measure
e.g. education. In deciding which it is in the
• evaluate the effects of supply-side policy measures on government macroeconomic particular case, decide whether the government
aims is using with the intention of increasing total
demand or total supply.

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

4.6 Economic growth • define economic growth PPC diagrams can be used to analyse economic
growth caused by increases in total demand
and caused by increases in an economy’s ability
• explain how economic growth can be measured
to produce more goods and services.
• distinguish between GDP and GDP per head In considering the consequences of economic
growth, policy conflicts, the type of products
• evaluate the causes and consequences of a recession produced, how they are made and who receives
them can be taken into account.
• evaluate the causes of economic growth including increases in total demand and
changes in investment, technology and the quantity and quality of the factors of
production

• evaluate the consequences of economic growth

• analyse the range of policies available to promote economic growth

• evaluate the effectiveness of different policy measures to promote economic growth

4.7 Employment and • define employment, unemployment and full employment Remember it is possible for both employment
unemployment and unemployment to rise, if more people
enter the labour force.
• evaluate the nature and causes of changes in the pattern of employment
In evaluating the consequences of
• evaluate the claimant count and labour force survey measures of unemployment unemployment, it is useful to apply the concept
of opportunity concept.
• use the formula for the unemployment rate Consider how the pattern of employment has
changed in your country in recent years.
• evaluate the causes/types of unemployment – frictional, structural and cyclical
unemployment

• evaluate the consequences of unemployment for the individual, firms and the economy
as a whole

• analyse the range of policies available to reduce unemployment

• evaluate the effectiveness of different policy measures to reduce unemployment

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

4.8 Inflation and • define inflation Remember that a reduction in the inflation rate
deflation from e.g. 6% to 4% means that prices are still
• define deflation rising but rising more slowly.

• analyse the measurement of inflation and deflation using the Consumer Prices Index

• evaluate the causes of inflation and deflation for consumers, workers, savers, lenders,
firms and the economy as a whole
• analyse the range of policies available to control inflation and deflation

• evaluate the effectiveness of different policy measures to control inflation and

deflation

Topic 5: Economic development

Topic You should be able to R A G Advice
5.1 Living standards • explain real GDP and real GDP per head Compare your country’s real GDP per head and
HDI with three other countries and try to find
• calculate real GDP per head out the reasons for the differences.

• analyse the components of the Human Development Index

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of real GDP per head and HDI as indicators
of living standards

• evaluate the reasons for differences in living standards and income distribution within
and between countries
5.2 Poverty • define absolute and relative poverty Explore how the level of poverty has changed in
your country in recent years.
• distinguish between absolute and relative poverty

• evaluate the causes of poverty including unemployment, low wages, illness and age

• evaluate policies to alleviate poverty and redistribute income

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

5.3 Population • define birth rate, death rate, net migration, immigration and emigration In considering the effects of a change in
population size, it is important to consider the
cause of the change.
• analyse the factors that affect population growth

• evaluate the reasons for different rates of population growth in different countries

• interpret population pyramids

• explain the concept of optimum population

• evaluate the effects of changes in the size and structure of population in different
countries
5.4 Differences • evaluate the causes and impacts of differences in economic development between Remember that economic development is
in economic countries wider than economic growth.
development
between countries

Topic 6: International trade and globalisation

Topic You should be able to R A G Advice
6.1 International • analyse the basis of specialisation at national level in broad terms of superior resource Be careful to distinguish between specialisation
specialisation allocation and/or cheaper production methods at a national level and workers in an individual
firm specialising.
• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of specialisation at a national level for
consumers, firms and the economy

6.2 Globalisation, • define globalisation Find examples of MNCs from your country
free trade and producing in other countries and foreign MNCs
protection producing in your country.
• evaluate the costs and benefits of MNCs to their host and home countries
The benefits of free trade are also arguments
• evaluate the benefits of free trade for consumers, producers and the economy against protection.

• analyse the effects of tariffs, import quotas, subsidies and embargoes

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Topic You should be able to R A G Advice

• evaluate the reasons for protection including infant industry, declining industry,
strategic industry and avoidance of dumping

• evaluate the effectiveness of protection and its impact on the home country and its
trading partners
6.3 Foreign exchange • define floating and fixed exchange rate systems Use demand and supply diagrams to illustrate
rates the determination of a floating exchange rate.
• analyse how the foreign exchange rate is determined in the foreign exchange market Remember changes in the exchange rate is a
monetary policy measure.
• analyse the causes of changes in foreign exchange rates including changes in demand
for exports and imports, changes in the rate of interest, speculation and the entry and
departure of MNCs

• evaluate the consequences of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on export and import
prices and spending on exports and imports making use of PED

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a floating foreign exchange rate and a
fixed exchange rate system
6.4 Current account • describe the components of the current account of the balance of payments – trade in Be careful to avoid confusing a budget and a
balance of payments goods, trade in services, primary income and secondary income current account deficit.
Find out the current account position of your
• calculate deficits and surpluses on the current account of balance of payments and its own country.
component sections

• analyse the causes of current account deficits and surpluses

• evaluate the consequences of current account deficits and surpluses including the
impact they have on GDP, employment, inflation and the foreign exchange market

• evaluate the effectiveness of policy measures available to achieve balance of payments

stability

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Section 7: Useful websites

The websites listed below are useful resources to help you study for your Cambridge IGCSE Economics course.

URL Description of the site and what it’s useful for

www.bankofengland.co.uk This site is useful for information concerning monetary
policy, such as decisions about interest rates. The Bank of
England will focus on UK, but each central bank in the world
is likely to have its own site. You will need to find out what is
the website for the central bank of your country. The website
of the Reserve bank of India is: https://www.rbi.org.in/
www.bbc.co.uk This is the website of the BBC. It has a wide range of
economics news stories on countries throughout the world.
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ Entering the name of a country after the general address
leads you to a considerable amount of information about the
particular country. This includes, for instance, information on
macroeconomic performance, birth rate, size of the labour
force and population below the poverty line.
www.focus-economics.com/countries This website gives economic data on more than 80 countries.
www.imf.org This is the website of the International Monetary Fund. It
provides economic information on almost every country.
www.s-cool.co.uk/a-leve;/economics Designed for A Level students but it is accessible to IGCSE
learners. It contains some useful revision information.
www.tutor2u.net This website is designed for economics students and provides
information on a range of economics topics and revision
advice.
www.twnside,org.sg This is the Third World Network’s website and includes links
to articles and information on development.
www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable- This website provides information on the 17 development
development-goals.html goals adopted by the United Nations.
www.worldbank.org This is a useful source of information about economic
developments in various parts of the world.
www.wto.org/ This provides up to date information on trade negotiations
and trade disputes.

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