specification overview
Edexcel A-Level Economics B (9EB0) is a two-year linear qualification that teaches economic principles through how firms compete and operate in markets. Four themes cover markets, consumers and firms; the wider economic environment, which includes macroeconomic content; the global economy; and making markets work. All three papers are 2 hours, worth 35% + 35% + 30% respectively.
subject content
1. Markets, consumers and firms
Paper 1, Paper 3- Scarcity, choice and potential conflicts; enterprise, business and the economy
- Introducing the market; the role of credit in the economy
- Market failure and government intervention; revenue, costs, profits and cash
2. The wider economic environment
Paper 2, Paper 3- Business growth and competitive advantage; firms, consumers and elasticities of demand
- Productive efficiency; life in a global economy
- The economic cycle; introduction to macroeconomic policy
3. The global economy
Paper 2, Paper 3- Globalisation; economic factors in business expansion
- Impact of globalisation on global companies, and on local and national economies
- Global labour markets; inequality and re-distribution
4. Making markets work
Paper 1, Paper 3- Competition and market power; market power and market failure
- Market failure across the economy
- Macroeconomic policies and impact on firms and individuals; risk and the financial sector
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Markets and how they work) | Themes 1 and 4 | 2h | 100 | 35% | Three sections, students answer all questions from all sections. Section A: one data-response question. Sections B and C: each one extended open-response question based on data. |
| Paper 2 (Competing in the global economy) | Themes 2 and 3 | 2h | 100 | 35% | Three sections, students answer all questions from all sections. Section A: one data-response question. Sections B and C: each one extended open-response question based on data. |
| Paper 3 (The economic environment and business) | All four themes (synoptic), anchored by a pre-released context document issued on the Pearson website in November of the previous year | 2h | 100 | 30% | Two sections, students answer all questions from both sections. Each section is data response broken into parts and includes one extended open-response question. Section 1 focuses on the broad pre-released context; Section 2 focuses on at least one strand within that context (such as a particular firm). |
Papers 1 and 2 focus on specific theme pairs; Paper 3 pulls all four together with a strong business-context focus.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge of terms/concepts and theories/models to show an understanding of the behaviour of economic agents and how they are affected by and respond to economic issues. | 20-22% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding to various economic contexts to show how economic agents are affected by and respond to economic issues. | 22-24% |
| AO3 | Analyse issues within economics, showing an understanding of their impact on economic agents. | 28-30% |
| AO4 | Evaluate economic arguments and use qualitative and quantitative evidence to support informed judgements relating to economic issues. | 26-28% |
key tips for success
Understand the business focus
Economics B teaches economic theory through how businesses operate in practice. Every answer benefits from grounding theory in real firm behaviour.
Master the diagrams
Supply/demand, cost curves, market structures, AD/AS. Every essay benefits from a clean labelled diagram. Practise drawing them fast.
Build a bank of real firms
Follow business and economics news through the year. Recent examples of firm strategy, market entry and competitive behaviour elevate answers on all three papers.
Structure extended responses with clear judgement
AO4 is 26-28% and rewards evaluation. Every Section B and C answer needs a defensible conclusion backed by weighted arguments.
Practise the synoptic style on Paper 3
Paper 3 pulls across all four themes. Practise linking micro, macro, competition and market failure rather than treating them separately.
Know the market structure diagrams
Perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly. Practise SR/LR equilibrium and assumptions for each.
Where to next
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