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A level Economics Mark Scheme Abbreviation

A level Economics Mark Scheme Abbreviation

Mark Scheme Abbreviations

A student-friendly guide to how examiners award marks and assess answers in A Level Economics.

How marks are awarded (Generic Marking Principles)
  • Positive marking: credit is awarded for valid, relevant Economics — not deducted for errors or omissions.
  • 1 Whole marks only: examiners award full integers — no half marks or fractions.
  • Consistency & fairness: the same rules and descriptors are applied to all candidates.
  • Full range used: strong responses should access the top of the mark range; weaker ones the lower end.
  • Meaning first: spelling/grammar are only judged when specified; your explanation must be clear and unambiguous.
 

Levels-based marking (essays & data response)

Best-fit judgement

Examiners select the best-fitting level descriptor for your whole response; not every answer matches a level perfectly.

Picking a mark in the level

  • Convincing ? award near the top of the range.
  • Adequate ? choose a middle mark.
  • Basic/limited ? award the low end of the range.
 

Assessment Objectives (what examiners look for)

AO1 – Knowledge & Understanding

  • Accurate definitions, facts, formulae, and clearly labelled diagrams.
  • Apply knowledge to written, numerical and diagrammatic information.

AO2 – Analysis

  • Explain mechanisms and cause-and-effect using appropriate models (elasticity, externalities, AD-AS, labour market, cost/revenue).
  • Interpret data and diagrams logically; show patterns, relationships, causes and effects.

AO3 – Evaluation

  • Weigh strengths/weaknesses, recognise assumptions and limitations, and consider equity vs efficiency trade-offs.
  • Conclude with balanced, evidence-based judgements that fit the context given.
 

Examiner annotations you might see

  • Tick = creditworthy point or valid step.
  • Cross = incorrect or not creditworthy.
  • L1–L4 Level codes (e.g., L2/L3) indicate which level descriptor your answer best fits.
 

How to write for marks

  • Start each paragraph with a clear point, then explain, support with an example/data/diagram, and evaluate.
  • Use labelled diagrams where relevant; they quickly secure AO1 and support AO2.
  • Match depth to marks: more marks = fuller analysis and evaluation; low marks = concise, precise points.

 

Other Useful Links for A Level  Economics