2. Understanding Standards:
Economics
Advanced Higher

3. 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

4. Course assessment structure
Component 1 – question paper 80 marks
Component 2 – project 40 marks
Total marks marks

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Project Introduction 4 marks Analysis and evaluation 12 marks
Conclusions marks
Research marks
Structure and coherence 8 marks
Presentation and referencing 4 marks
40 marks
Detailed marking instructions available at:

8. What is ‘reasonable assistance’?

9. Feedback from Workshop 1
Questions

10. 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

11. Questions based on a current economic issue (25 marks)
Workshop 2: Question Paper Section 3
Questions based on a current economic issue (25 marks)

12. 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: