Exam tips for A Level Economics

So, A Level Economics is just around the corner. How prepared are you?

Here are some of the tips that might be useful for you.

For Paper 1/Paper 3

1. Compile as many past-year papers as you can.
2. Start working on each paper.
3. Analyse how each question is structured.
4. Identify the keyword for each question.
5. Try to understand what the question is implying.
6. Evaluate each choice carefully.
7. Choose the best answer.

The confusion for this paper is normally the closeness of choices. If you have understood the concepts well, you should be acing this paper. This paper is highly conceptual and it is testing you on concept understanding.Get together among your friends and discuss the answers together. Make sure you have the answer scheme as a guideline.

Paper 2/Paper 4

These two papers consist of data question and essays.

1. Calculate the time accordingly. For example: Paper 2 is 90 minutes. You may want to spend 45 minutes for
    each section (45 minutes on data question and 45 minutes for essay). Of course this is only an average
    calculation. The real duration of time allocated does depend upon the difficulty of the questions.

2. Now that you have allocated the time, make sure you follow your plan. Choose your essay question
    carefully. Read all questions and pick the one that you think you could write the most (of course with good
    understanding of concepts). I recommend you only spend the most 5 minutes on choosing and planning
    your essay question.

3. For Data Question:

    Read and reread the information given. Spend the most 10 minutes for this activity. The rest of 35 minutes is for you to write your answers. Make sure you read the questions as well and identify which topic in your syllabus is covered in this question. The type of question can be a combination of 2 topics or more.

Please write your answer straight to the point but with some elaboration of course depending on the marks allocated for each question.
Some questions require numerical analysis. Please make sure you know how to identify this.
For example:
if the question ask for summarising a trend of inflation, you need to look at the whole chart and look at whether it is increasing or decreasing. You don't have to go by each year to explain a trend. It's overall.
Another example is about trade position. This is where you must identify through the data given. Some numerical value must be included in your answers.

4. For essay question

    This is the fun part of the exam. Writing the essay.

    i) Read the question and understand carefully.
   ii) Look for keywords or topics being discussed.
  iii) Plan your answer (should not take more than 5 minutes)
  iv) Whatever the essay question is, first explain the concepts through definition (this can be in your
       introduction)
  v) Organize your points carefully through good paragraphing.
 vi) Where diagrams are relevant, draw big enough diagram (estimation about 5 lines of normal fullscape
     paper). Explain and label the diagram thoroughly. Caution!! DO NOT USE DIAGRAMS AS
     ACCESSORIES. THEY NEED TO BE EXPLAINED THOROUGHLY.
vii) Whenever there is a discussion question, please write both sides of the stories.
     for example: You are asked to discuss whether inflation control is desirable.

     You need to mention about how inflation needs to be controlled. One reason maybe due to the degree of
     inflation. Hyperinflation is something that must be controlled. Therefore, it is desirable.
     However, if inflation is stable, government can focus on other problems like balance of payments, and
     unemployment maybe.

     Again, you need to understand what the question is asking. This could be done through preparation based
     on the past-year questions.

viii) Make sure you write your answer in a concise manner. Examples given should be well elaborated.
 ix) All points mentioned should be divided through different paragraphs. Identify each major point
      appropriately.
  x) Finally, conclusion must be written. This conclusion is to support your argument in your essay. Some essays do not require you to take side but some do. Identify the type of question that require either one of these.

OK. that's all for now. I will be writing again for more tips. GOOD LUCK to all of you in your coming exams!!!!

One last tip,

NO HANDPHONE TO THE EXAM HALL!!!
BRING YOUR EXAM SLIP!!!
DON'T BE LATE!!!
BRING ALL STATIONERIES RELEVANT!!!
SLEEP ENOUGH THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM!!!
RELAX WHILE DOING THE EXAM!!!
START WITH A PRAYER AND CALM YOURSELF DOWN!!!
LISTEN TO INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!!!
NEVER..NEVER MISINTERPRET THE QUESTIONS!!!