2. Higher Economics Assignment RGB colours for text
Purple = R204 G153 B209 & Dark Blue =R0 G51 B102

3. Assessment Conditions
6 pages maximum
4 pages maximum for appendices – does not attract marks, but good for sources
Research Sheet
About 6.5 hours research
1.5 hours to complete write up of report – can be completed in one sitting, or in chunks

4. Introduction – 2 marks
Clear purpose of the economic topic/issue chosen – 1 mark
Economic background information - 1 mark

5. Introduction – 2 marks
the purpose should not just be the title – should be something more
the purpose should include a higher topic
if the background information can give a trend of figures this is good eg oil price, government deficit.

6. Would raising the minimum wage to a living wage cause unemployment?
Exemplar - Introduction
Would raising the minimum wage to a living wage cause unemployment?
Purpose
Background
There are a number of other Background points in the second paragraph – but the mark has already been gained.

7. Introduction – 2 marks
Clear purpose of the economic topic/issue chosen – 1 mark
Economic background information - 1 mark

8. What is the economic impact of the falling oil price?
Candidate A - Introduction
What is the economic impact of the falling oil price?
Background
Purpose

9. Should the UK government cut corporation tax?
Candidate B - Introduction
Should the UK government cut corporation tax?
If the candidate had a second sentence in the first paragraph defining corporation tax they would have been awarded the purpose mark.

10. Research – 3 marks
1 mark for each explanation of the suitability of the research used
1 mark for each development point
max 2 per source
minimum of 2 sources for full marks
it is better if the values are different! – candidates are less likely to be repetitive
can be primary and/or secondary – no need to be both
where candidates have obviously used at least 2 sources but no explanation of the value is given – max 1/3 marks

11. Research – 3 marks
Explanation of the value of the source – for example
I used the ONS website, this information will be factual and non-bias as it is a government organisation. (1 mark)
Development point – for example
A disadvantage of using this information is that it is not consistent over a number of years because governments sometimes change who they class as unemployed. (1 mark)

12. Research – 3 marks
1 mark for each explanation of the suitability of the research used
1 mark for each development point
max 2 per source and minimum of 2 sources for full marks
it is better if the values are different – candidates are less likely to be repetitive
candidates should not be using ‘relevant’ as a value – all research should be relevant
can be primary and/or secondary – no need to be both
where candidates have obviously used at least 2 sources but no explanation of the value is given – max 1/3 marks

13. What are the effects of an increase in immigration on the UK?
Candidate C - Research
What are the effects of an increase in immigration on the UK?
Repeat

14. The effectiveness of developmental aid
Candidate D - Research
The effectiveness of developmental aid

15. Application of Knowledge and Understanding – 9 marks
one mark for each relevant point
one mark for each development point
maximum of 5 marks for each viewpoint

16. Application of Knowledge and Understanding – 9 marks
This is where the economic theory needs to be shown
at least 2 viewpoints which relate to the economic topic/issue chosen.
minimum of 2 viewpoints for full marks
candidates should follow through the theory to gain development marks, this could be from including a relevant diagram in their appendices and describing it

17. Application of Knowledge and Understanding – 9 marks
Minimum of 2 viewpoints for full marks
Effect of falling unemployment
Individuals - increased discretionary income; improved skills; labour mobility
Firms – demand and supply of labour; increased aggregate demand due to increased discretionary income; increased profits therefore investment; economies of scale
Government – increased income tax from employees; increased tax on goods and services; reduced JSA payments; reduced health payments

18. Application of Knowledge and Understanding – 9 marks
one mark for each relevant point
one mark for each development point
maximum of 5 marks for each viewpoint

19. The effectiveness of developmental aid
Candidate E – Application of knowledge and understanding
The effectiveness of developmental aid
Maximum 5 marks for each viewpoint

20. What is the economic impact of the falling oil price?
Candidate F – Application of knowledge and understanding
What is the economic impact of the falling oil price?

21. Analysis and Evaluation – 10 marks
source, statement and impact – one mark
The ONS website showed in an economic growth chart (Source 1), that economic growth is low and has been falling this year, but it is still positive. This means that ……. This is backed up by ……. However/therefore …….
Marks are only awarded for the analysis – no marks for findings
Make sure that conclusions and recommendations are not in this section.

22. Is the NHS economically sustainable in the long run
Exemplar – Analysis and evaluation
Is the NHS economically sustainable in the long run
Repeat

23. Analysis and Evaluation – 10 marks
source, statement and impact – one mark
The ONS website showed an economic growth chart (Source 1). This means that ……. This is backed up by ……. However/therefore …….
Marks are only awarded for the candidates analysis – no marks for findings
Make sure that conclusions and recommendations are not in this section.

24. What is the economic impact of the falling oil price?
Candidate G – Analysis and evaluation
What is the economic impact of the falling oil price?
The first mark is fairly weak by an example of using a finding and theory to make an interpretive comment
Lots of development points are based on one finding here. These comments were in this section and valid interpretation of findings.

25. Would raising the minimum wage to a living wage cause unemployment?
Candidate H – Analysis and evaluation
Would raising the minimum wage to a living wage cause unemployment?
This candidate has mentioned a couple of findings together – candidates tend to attain higher marks when they have one finding, then analyse it. Then they mention another finding and analyse it.
The end of the last sentence was a repeat of material in the app and und section

26. Conclusions/Recommendations – 4 marks
conclusion must be justified and link to the purpose of the report.
recommendations must be justified.

27. Should the UK Government introduce a sugar tax?
Exemplar – Conclusions/Recommendations
Should the UK Government introduce a sugar tax?
This candidate had already mentioned these justifications earlier in their assignment.

28. Conclusions/Recommendations – 4 marks
conclusion must be justified and link to the purpose of the report.
recommendations must be justified.

29. Why has the price of oil fallen (and the effects on the economy)?
Candidate I – Conclusions/Recommendations
Why has the price of oil fallen (and the effects on the economy)?

30. Is the government right to introduce compulsory living wage?
Candidate J – Conclusions/Recommendations
Is the government right to introduce compulsory living wage?

31. Structure – 2 marks
at least 2 charts/tables/displays referred to appropriately max 1
consistent use of appropriate economic terminology max 1
headings and concise content max 1

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