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New AS Economics Syllabus: Are You Using the Right Materials?

Hey AS Economics students! With exams just a month away, are you scrambling to prepare? Don't waste time and points using outdated materials! The new syllabus has brought significant changes, especially to those crucial 8-point questions.


Here's why using new syllabus materials is essential:


  • Content Explosion:  Get ready for 50-100% more content in those 8-point questions. Knowing how to identify scoring opportunities is key, and old resources won't cover the new format.

  • Deeper Knowledge Demanded:  Take Price Elasticity of Supply (PES) for example. Previously, a straightforward topic requiring basic knowledge. Now, you'll need to explain the concept, analyze influencing factors, and even evaluate their relative importance – an advanced skill!

  • Time Crunch: The good news: exams are now 120 minutes instead of 90. The bad news: there's one macro and one micro essay instead of just one long essay. This shift increases pressure on those 8-point questions.



New vs Old Exam Structure


In the past 10 years, there are 71 questions related to Elasticity. In the category of Factors of PED & PES, a total of 15 questions have been examined . Let's look at how the 8-point PES question has changed:


Old Syllabus:

  • 2 marks for definition & formula (AO1: Knowledge & Understanding)

  • 2 marks each for identifying 2 factors and explaining them (AO2: Analysis & Application)

  • Achievable in 3 paragraphs



New Syllabus:

  • Max 8 marks (different allocation)

  • 3 marks for definition, formula, AND explaining significance of Elastic & Inelastic (AO1: Knowledge & Understanding) - requires an extra paragraph with potential traps!

  • 3 marks total for AO2: Analysis (same content as before, but lower marks)

  • New 2 mark AO3: Evaluation section! This assesses the relative importance of factors, a concept not covered in old textbooks!


The Bottom Line

Using new syllabus materials is crucial. You'll need to write more content (including a summary) in less time. Mastering new answering techniques is vital to succeed – don't rely on luck!


Stay tuned for future posts on how to conquer the new AS Economics exam!

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