Understanding Standards: Economics Advanced Higher
Aims of the day To support teachers, lecturers and assessors in their understanding of national standards by: reviewing candidate evidence discussing this evidence and associated Marking Instructions with colleagues asking questions and seeking clarification about national standards
Course assessment structure Component 1 – question paper 80 marks Component 2 – project 40 marks Total marks 120 marks
Question Paper The question paper has three sections Section 1 will have 30 marks and will consist of a number of mandatory short-answer questions based on an item of stimulus. The questions will be drawn from across the course. Section 2 will have 25 marks and will consist of a mandatory question based on economic theory. Section 3 will have 25 marks and will consist of four optional questions. Each question will be based on a current economic issue. Candidates will answer one question only.
Workshop 1: Coursework - project The project requires learners to: select an appropriate current economic issue to research use suitable economic data/information, related to the context of the issue, from a range of sources apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of economic concepts and theories to explain, analyse and evaluate the issue reach valid conclusions based on evidence structure a detailed, well-informed report on the issue organise, present and reference findings using appropriate conventions
Project Introduction 4 marks Analysis and evaluation 12 marks Conclusions 6 marks Research 6 marks Structure and coherence 8 marks Presentation and referencing 4 marks 40 marks Detailed marking instructions available at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/GAInfoAHEconProject.pdf
What is ‘reasonable assistance’?
Feedback from Workshop 1 Questions
Workshop 2: Question Paper Section 2 Mandatory questions based on economic theory (25 marks) Market structures - Perfect competition - Monopoly - Monopolistic competition - Oligopoly Market intervention - competition policy - externalities (positive/negative) - government policies on correcting externalities
Questions based on a current economic issue (25 marks) Workshop 2: Question Paper Section 3 Questions based on a current economic issue (25 marks)
Key messages from Course Report 2016 Question Paper Some candidates were unable to match a strong performance on the case study with a similar level of attainment on the essay questions. This would indicate that more practice is needed of essay style questions. Project Not all candidates chose an appropriate title and area of research for their project, which led to some low marks being awarded. Full Report available at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/AHEconomicsCourseReport2016.pdf
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