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A LevelEconomicsEdexcelEconomics ARevision Notes5.Exam Technique5.3 Structuring Your ResponsesAnswering 25-Mark Questions

Answering 25-Mark Questions (Edexcel A Level Economics A): Revision Note

Charlotte

Written by: Charlotte

Reviewed by: Steve Vorster

Updated on

How Do I Answer an Edexcel A-Level Economics 25-Mark Essay Question?

  • These questions appear in all 3 exams

  • Students are required to answer four

    • There is a choice of two questions, 7 or 8, in Section C for Paper 1

    • There is a choice of two questions, 7 or 8, in Section C for Paper 2

    • There is a choice of two questions, 1 (d) or 1 (e) for Paper 3

    • There is a choice of two questions, 2 (d) or 2 (e) for Paper 3

  • These questions are levelled-marked and assessed on the ability to demonstrate

    • Knowledge, Application, Analysis (KAA) for 16 marks

    • Evaluation (E) for 9 marks

  • Students must evaluate economic concepts with reference to any data or extracts provided, along with providing their own real examples

  • Students will be asked to evaluate policies, factors, reasons, causes, implications, effects, benefits or drawbacks using at least one diagram

Example

  • Key economic skills are highlighted

Four colourful words: "Knowledge" in yellow, "Application" in blue, "Analysis" in pink, and "Evaluation" in green, each with playful font.

Step 1

  • For twenty five-mark 'evaluate' questions, you need to provide a detailed applied explanation and analysis of two issues and two evaluations with an additional fully justified conclusion

  • Focus on presenting both sides of the argument and/or the significance of your arguments

  • Follow the six-paragraph approach with at least one diagram

    • In the first paragraph, make a comment on the extent to which the key issues asked for depend on a number of factors. In the context of the information provided, suggest how some factors may play a more significant role than others under different circumstances

Exam question text about wage disparities at the BBC and CEOs, with highlighted student response. Annotations indicate evaluation and knowledge levels.

Step 2

  • In the second paragraph, provide a clear knowledge point (identify the concept), followed by application (use of extract or data), and analysis (at least five chains of reasoning)

Text highlighting labour demand influences wages via Marginal Revenue Product theory. Emphasises finance, tech, and wage inelasticity; KAA level 4 explains understanding.

Step 3

  • In the third paragraph, provide a detailed evaluation of your argument in the second paragraph that weighs up the strengths and weaknesses or considers broader implications

Text discussing wage differences in low-skilled sectors like retail, highlighting issues like high demand and employer power. Handwritten with highlighted sections.

Step 4

  • Provide a relevant and accurately drawn diagram at some point in your answer, preferably near the beginning, so you can integrate your annotations in to your KAA and your evaluation

Two labour market diagrams. Left: doctor market with intersecting supply and demand curves at wage W1. Right: shelf stacker with curves at wage W2.

Step 5

  • In the fourth paragraph, provide a second clear knowledge point (identify the concept), followed by application (use of extract or data), and analysis (at least five chains of reasoning)

Text on wage differences and supply, highlighting "inelastic," "doctor," and "warehouse workers." KAA Level 4 noted for strong reasoning linked to diagrams.

Step 6

  • In the fifth paragraph, provide a detailed evaluation of your argument in the fourth paragraph that weighs up the strengths and weaknesses or considers broader implications

Handwritten text about supply-side factors in wages, highlighting the disparity between teaching and private sector pay. Level 3 evaluation criteria on right.

Step 7

  • In the final paragraph, justify your recommendation by weighing up key arguments and using "If... then...significance" to explain how one issue matters most under a particular circumstance

Highlighted text discusses UK labour wage differences due to factors like automation, affecting demand for lower-skilled jobs. Rated "Ev Level 3".

The marking criteria

Assessment criteria table for KAA with four levels. Level 1 shows basic understanding; Level 2 shows some understanding; Level 3 shows good understanding; Level 4 shows excellent understanding of economic concepts.
Evaluation criteria table for 9 marks: Level 1 (1–3 marks) lacks reasoning. Level 2 (4–6) has partial evaluation. Level 3 (7–9) has thorough evaluation.

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • Spend no more than thirty minutes on this question:

    • 2 minutes to plan your answer by extracting relevant evidence from the text and data in addition to your own examples

    • 26-27 minutes to write the six paragraphs with at least one diagram, keeping each one focused and concise

    • 1-2 minutes to review and ensure you have answered the question fully and without errors

  • Always try to include a diagram, even if the question does not request one. Using an accurately annotated diagram in your discussion is an effective way of achieving at least Level 3 for both KAA and Evaluation

  • Avoid writing definitions when starting your answer. This is a Level 1 approach. Examiners mark top down looking for the highest level first. Defining terms in the question wastes time because your knowledge will clearly be demonstrated if your response answers the set question relevantly

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Charlotte

    Author: Charlotte

    Expertise: Business Content Creator

    Charlotte joined Save My Exams in 2024 with over 30 years of teaching experience in Business and Economics. A former Head of Business and Economics, she has inspired thousands of students across diverse settings in Lancashire. Known for her engaging approach, Charlotte also organized educational trips to destinations like New York and Shanghai, expanding students' global perspectives. She is currently an Edexcel A-Level Economics examiner, with over 20 years of experience in exam boards. Charlotte holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Public Policy from Leeds Metropolitan University and a PGCE from Manchester University. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her Labradors and watching football.

    Steve Vorster

    Author: Steve Vorster

    Expertise: Economics & Business Subject Lead

    Steve has taught A Level, GCSE, IGCSE Business and Economics - as well as IBDP Economics and Business Management. He is an IBDP Examiner and IGCSE textbook author. His students regularly achieve 90-100% in their final exams. Steve has been the Assistant Head of Sixth Form for a school in Devon, and Head of Economics at the world's largest International school in Singapore. He loves to create resources which speed up student learning and are easily accessible by all.