The Economics A-Level Syllabus

The Economics A-Level Syllabus Understanding the Economics A-Levels Syllabus ChaptersHow A-Levels WorkThe 2018 Cambridge Economics SyllabusWrapping It All UpAs you well know, A-Levels is the vehicle meant to propel you into an institute of higher learning, almost anywhere in the UK.Universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland use A-Levels results to determine a candidate’s suitability and aptitude for extended learning, from undergraduate to postgraduate level and beyond.Although some schools in Scotland offer A-Levels as an alternative qualification, overwhelmingly, students in that school system sit their country’s corresponding exams, called Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher.Unlike in America, where a student’s leaving certificate, or high school diploma, is sometimes considered sufficient credentials for enroling in college, higher education institutes in our country expect prospective students to have sat Year 13 exams and scored satisfactorily.That goes without saying, doesn’t it?What student would subject him/herself to the gruelling e xperience of Advanced Level exams only to put forth minimum effort â€" or worse: no effort at all?We take the liberty of presuming you are hard-working and dedicated to your studies, striving for the highest grade you can achieve, and looking for a bit of clarity when it comes to sitting your career-defining exam.As a future economist, you would most surely want to know what to expect on that portion of your ordeal, so let's go over the A Level  Economics exam syllabus in depth, shall we?Grab your pencils and have a notepad at the ready; here we go!Instead, candidates choose three or four areas of study and focus intently on those for the duration of their sixth form or tertiary college tenure.Although there is no requirement or limit on subjects one can sit exams in, the usual pattern is for prospects to study four subjects the first year, then drop their least-favoured topic to focus more intently on the remaining 3 during the final year of study.Another departure from the traditi onal is the modular structure of the study materials.In years past, study courses were structured in a linear model - what is called instructional scaffolding in today’s educational philosophy. That model involved building tomorrow’s lesson on yesterday’s learning.Modular learning â€" topic-specific studies constructed in learning blocks, was introduced at a critical juncture in the UK’s education evolution.Although more students than ever were sitting A-Levels between the late ‘80s and Year 2000, nearly a third of them could not achieve a passing grade.These days, the standard study pattern is for a student to spend the first year attending lessons in an educational facility, under the mentorship of an instructor; the second year is mostly self-study, which culminates in sitting the exams.Now we discover what, exactly, you should expect during the course of your economic principles study.Just like its famous namesake, the Cambridge International is the best-known exam Sou rce: Pixabay Credit: BlizniakThe 2018 Cambridge Economics SyllabusLet us start out by acknowledging that exams are administered through no fewer than five awarding bodies, and a further two that offer international A-Level qualifications: Edexcel and Cambridge International, or CIE.As the latter is the more rigorous exam, we expound on its syllabus.Module IYour initial foray into economics studies at this level focuses on microeconomics terminology and concepts.You should already be familiar with the role of economics in real-world affairs, and that knowledge will be expanded throughout this study unit.1.1: How the Microeconomy WorksYou should be able to:Explain how price mechanism allocates scarce resources in a free marketExplain that demand reflects consumers’ satisfactionRecognise the inverse relationship between price and demandAlso, the direct relationship between price and quantity suppliedDifferentiate between shifts and movements along the supply and demand curvesExplain concepts of price elasticities, and factors affecting themIn brief: Module 1.1 covers:The central economic problemHow pricing works as a rationing and allocative mechanismThe relationships between Demand, Supply and the Market1.2: Why Markets FailFrom this module, you should understand the meaning of market failure, how externalities lead to market failure and be able to discuss environmental issues as one example a negative externality.Furthermore, you will learn why governments intervene in the market, define how they intervene, and discuss the effectiveness of government policies in correcting market failure.In brief, Module 1.2 consists of:Market failurePolicies to correct market failureThe effectiveness of policies.This entire module is dedicated to microeconomic theory, and should occupy the entire block of study time you have allotted to the study of microeconomics during your first year.Just like this chipset, your A-Levels syllabus is modular in structure Source: Pixabay Cr edit: PDPModule IINow that you have the principles of microeconomics mastered, it is time to turn to macroeconomic theory.Your second year of study toward your A-Levels emphasises the use of the AD-AS approach to analysing supply-side policy and its impact at the micro and macro level.Recent economic trends feature heavily in this study module, and every exam candidate must be able to evaluate the effectiveness of government policy with regard to those trends.2.1: Workings of MacroeconomyBy this time in your studies, you should be able to explain:the circular flow of income, from individual households all the way to the international economykey determinants of AD and AS, as well as explaining the overall concepts themselvesAnalyse the effects of AD-AS changes on price levels and national outputClearly, these are ponderous economic concepts, as they are the only topics planned for the first semester of self-study allotted you in your second year.However, understanding principles of m acroeconomics to this depth is vital, not only to assure the best possible marks on your exam but to ensure you are not out to sea in your later coursework at university.In summary, your third semester of A-Levels study in economics comprises of:understanding the circular flow of incomekey determinants of AD and ASchanges in AD-AS, as reflected in general price level.Now is not the time to panic, dear! We’re approaching the finish line; just one more semester and you’ll be sitting exams!Your last study module is fairly evenly split between macroeconomic aims, and the resultant problems thereof.2.2: Issues, Policies and Consequences of MacroeconomicsAt last, you will address topics and terms that even non-economists are familiar with: gross national product (GNP) and its close relative domestic product (GDP), interest rates and inflation, economic growth, and employment.You will also be called on to expound on the impact of negative economic factors such as unemployment and budge t deficits.Finally, you will be tasked to analyse macroeconomic problems; their causes and consequences.Summarising module 2.2 is quickly done: you will study macroeconomic aims, problems and their causes!Don't let intensive study deflate you before you cross the finish line to success in Economics A-Levels! Source: Pixabay Credit: Lily CantabileWrapping It All UpThis is an overview of the 2018 Cambridge International Economics syllabus, condensed in an effort to help guide future economists in their studies.As the course outline changes every few years, if you are not scheduled to sit your A-Levels this year, you may look at the next generation document.Looking over this article, especially if you are already feeling weighted down with the import of it all, you may wonder why anyone would choose to study economics!Let Superprof offer a look on the bright side...This syllabus deals more with economic theory than with the complex mathematics and statistical analysis you will see in y our university courses â€" especially if you opt for a Bachelor of Science study programme.In fact, some of the work outlined in this syllabus expressly states that no calculations would be necessary!If theory is your forte, you are in luck: that is what this exam is all about. Just beware that, once you start classes at university, higher level maths will feature heavily in your curriculum.Even if you select a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics as your major, which is reputedly less mathematically intense.Nevertheless, just to brush up on econometrics and economic analysis, why don’t we go find some of the best study materials available today, including past papers?Need more reasons why you should study economics at A Level?An economics tutor can help with most of the content on your syllabus. Hire a specialised  a level economics tutor whether you are struggling or not or find an economics tutor online who is almost suitably qualified. You will find an economics teacher london , or whichever city you are based easily by searching Superprof.