1. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level AS and A level Economics A 2015 Launch event

2. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level The changes Our approach Our new specification Assessment Support Agenda

3. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level The changes

4. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level For Economics from 2015: AS will be a separate, linear qualification An AS grade will not contribute to an overall A level grade The content of the AS is a subset of the A level so you can co-teach A student can sit AS and then go on to do A level but will be assessed on all content at A level AS and A level qualifications 2014201520162017 Current specification Summer series as normal Final AS and A2 examinations New specification Specification in centres First teaching*First AS examinations First A level examinations

5. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Changes for 2015: The labour market and the financial sector included in core A level content Core AS content defined Greater emphasis on the application of appropriate quantitative skills in economics Assessment of quantitative skills to represent a minimum of 20% of marks (15% for AS) Subject criteria

6. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Quantitative skills SkillConstruct or calculate Use and interpret Ratios and fractions Percentage and percentage change Mean, median and relevant quantiles Standard graphical forms Index numbers Cost, revenue and profit (marginal, average, totals) Money to real terms Elasticity

7. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Our approach

8. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Teachers from a range of schools and colleges – in focus groups, surveys, phone interviews and face-to-face conversations – have provided feedback at each stage. Academics in UK universities have helped us understand how to build on the strengths of the current specifications and advised on how progression to undergraduate study could be improved. We have commissioned and conducted our own research projects, including international benchmarking to identify areas of good practice. Our research

9. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level You told us that students should: Develop the ability to think like an economist Apply economic concepts and theories to real-world contexts Engage with current economic issues Apply the appropriate quantitative skills to relevant economic contexts Engage with economics through wider reading and research Our findings

10. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level We have a suite of qualifications for Economics and Business: Two Economics and one Business specifications Developed with and supported by subject experts, including teachers, our experienced examining teams and HE representatives A coherent approach to provide clarity for planning, teaching and assessment Extensive and consistent support for planning and delivering the new courses Our suite

11. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Our new specification

12. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Clear and coherent specification structure Historical context and debate Reflect today’s global economy Reflect developments in economics Real world focus Skills for progression Design and content principles

13. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Four themes assessed through three externally examined papers: A level at a glance Theme 1 Introduction to markets and market failure Theme 2 The UK economy – performance and policies Theme 3 Business behaviour and the labour market Theme 4 A global perspective Paper 1 Markets and business behaviour Paper 2 The national and global economy Paper 3 Microeconomics and macroeconomics

14. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Two themes assessed through two externally examined papers: AS at a glance Theme 1 Introduction to markets and market failure Theme 2 The UK economy – performance and policies Paper 1 Introduction to markets and market failure Paper 2 The UK economy – performance and policies

15. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Theme 1 and Theme 2 is the same content for the AS and A level qualification… …so even though they are separate qualifications you can co-teach them. Co-teaching AS and A level

16. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level FocusApproach Historical contextAwareness of different interpretations of and policy responses to the Great Depression and the Global Financial Crisis Economic thinkers and debateAwareness of different viewpoints – Smith, Hayek, Marx, Keynes Financial sectorRole of financial markets and central banks, functions of money and market failure Recent economic developmentsAlternative views of consumer behaviour – an introduction to behavioural economics Key content changes

17. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies The nature of economicsMeasures of economic performance How markets workAggregate demand Market failureAggregate supply Government interventionNational income Economic growth Macroeconomic objectives and policy Content overview: Theme 1 and Theme 2

18. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market Theme 4: A global perspective Business growthInternational economics Business objectivesPoverty and inequality Revenues, costs and profitsEmerging and developing economies Market structuresThe financial sector The labour marketThe role of the state in the macroeconomy Government intervention Content overview: Theme 3 and Theme 4

19. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Assessment

20. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level A level AS AO1 Demonstrate knowledge of terms/concepts and theories/models to show an understanding of the behaviour of economic agents and how they are affected by and respond to economic issues 20% -30% 25% -35% AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding to various economic contexts to show how economic agents are affected by and respond to issues 20% -30% 25% -35% AO3 Analyse issues within economics, showing an understanding of their impact on economic agents 20% -30% 15% -25% AO4 Evaluate economic arguments and use qualitative and quantitative evidence to support informed judgements relating to economic issues 20% -30% 15% -25% Assessment objectives

21. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level A defined taxonomy to provide clarity and consistency across assessments and between series Application of quantitative skills to economic contexts Levels based mark schemes that: –focus on the skills students are required to demonstrate –provide a consistent understanding of the skills and connections between these skills for each question type –relate directly to the command words/taxonomy –demonstrate progression between bands –do not rely on subjective statements Assessment principles

22. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level A level assessment Paper 1 100 marks 2 hours 35% Section A: multiple choice and short answer Section B: one data response Section C: one extended open response (choice of one from two) Paper 2 100 marks 2 hours 35% Section A: multiple choice and short answer Section B: one data response Section C: one extended open response (choice of one from two) Paper 3 100 marks 2 hours 30% Section A: one data response, including one extended open response (choice of one from two) Section B: one data response, including one extended open response (choice of one from two)

23. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level A level sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Section A comprises multiple choice and short answer questions There are five questions worth 25 marks Examples of short answer questions: –calculate –draw/illustrate –explain

24. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level A level sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Calculate/ explain Examine Assess Discuss Evaluate/ To what extent 5 x 1 8 x 1 10 x 1 12 or 15 x 1 25 x 1 Section B Section C

25. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level A level sample assessment: Paper 3 Explain Examine Discuss 5 x 2 8 x 2 12 x 2 25 x 2 Section A and Section B Evaluate/ To what extent

26. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level AS assessment Paper 1 80 marks 1.5 hours 50% Section A: multiple choice and short answer Section B: one data response question, including one extended open response (choice of one from two extended response) Paper 2 80 marks 1.5 hours 50% Section A: multiple choice and short answer Section B: one data response question, including one extended open response (choice of one from two extended response)

27. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level AS sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Section A comprises multiple choice and short answer questions There are five questions worth 20 marks Examples of short answer questions: –define –calculate –draw/illustrate –explain

28. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level AS sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Calculate/explain Assess Discuss 4, 5 or 6 x 3 10 x 1 15 x 1 20 x 1 Section B Evaluate/ To what extent

29. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level A reduction in the variety of command words used and a consistent application of command words across assessments and between series Skills based mark schemes Introduction of short answer questions comprising multiple choice and short answer elements Choice of open extended response questions Key assessment changes

30. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Support

31. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level We will provide you with: A comprehensive Getting Started guide, with detailed guidance on the specification and assessment A course planner, outlining different delivery approaches An editable scheme of work Mapping documents to highlight the differences between the 2008 and 2015 specifications Teaching resources – including support for new areas of the specification – and student guide Planning and delivery

32. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level We will provide you with information and support to help you understand the standard: Exemplar student work and examiner commentaries generated from work with A level students and centres Mark schemes developed through research and trialling Understanding the standard

33. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Extra assessment materials for A level for use in formative assessments and mocks. Our ResultsPlus service provides the most detailed analysis available of your students’ exam performance: Identify topics and skills where students could benefit from further learning Mock Analysis provides analysis of past exam papers which can be set as mock exams www.edexcel.com/resultsplus Tracking progress

34. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Events in a timely manner to help you prepare to teach the new specification: Online launch videos to share with your departments Getting ready to teach events in spring 2015 Training from Pearson

35. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Colin Leith and his team will keep you up to date about: training events and support materials news and government announcements affecting our qualifications key dates and entry deadlines new qualifications and resources E-mail: TeachingEconomics@pearson.com Phone: 0844 372 2187 Twitter: twitter.com/PearsonEconBus Subject page: www.edexcel.com/economics Subject advisor support

36. Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles –Second level Third level –Fourth level »Fifth level Questions?