specification overview
Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Economics (YEC11) is a modular qualification made up of 4 units, examined in January, June and October. Units 1-2 form the International AS (IAS); units 3-4 add the International A2 for the full IAL. Each unit has its own written paper.
subject content
1. Markets in action
Unit 1 (WEC11)- Nature of economics and how markets work (demand, supply, elasticity)
- Market failure and government intervention
2. Macroeconomic performance and policy
Unit 2 (WEC12)- Measures of economic performance
- AD/AS analysis, national income and macroeconomic policies
3. Business behaviour
Unit 3 (WEC13)- Business objectives, growth and revenue/costs
- Market structures (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly)
- Labour market and role of regulation
4. Developments in the global economy
Unit 4 (WEC14)- International trade and balance of payments
- Exchange rates and economic development
- Global financial markets and multinationals
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 (WEC11) | Markets in action | 1h 45m | 80 | 25% IAL / 50% IAS | Section A: 6 multiple-choice questions (6 marks). Section B: 5 short-answer questions (20 marks). Section C: five-part data-response question from a source booklet (34 marks). Section D: one 20-mark essay from a choice of two (20 marks) |
| Unit 2 (WEC12) | Macroeconomic performance and policy | 1h 45m | 80 | 25% IAL / 50% IAS | Section A: 6 multiple-choice questions (6 marks). Section B: 5 short-answer questions (20 marks). Section C: five-part data-response question from a source booklet (34 marks). Section D: one 20-mark essay from a choice of two (20 marks) |
| Unit 3 (WEC13) | Business behaviour (assumes units 1-2) | 2h | 80 | 25% IAL / 50% IA2 | Section A: 6 multiple-choice questions (6 marks). Section B: five-part data-response question from a source booklet (34 marks). Section C: two 20-mark essays from a choice of three (40 marks) |
| Unit 4 (WEC14) | Developments in the global economy (assumes units 1-3) | 2h | 80 | 25% IAL / 50% IA2 | Section A: 6 multiple-choice questions (6 marks). Section B: five-part data-response question from a source booklet (34 marks). Section C: two 20-mark essays from a choice of three (40 marks) |
The qualification is modular. Papers are available in January, June and October each year, so units can be sat in stages. The IAS is claimed on completion of units 1-2; the full IAL on completion of all four.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge of terms, concepts, theories and models to show an understanding of the behaviour of economic agents. | 23.1% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding to various economic contexts. | 26.3% |
| AO3 | Analyse issues and evidence, showing an understanding of their impact on economic agents. | 25.6% |
| AO4 | Evaluate economic arguments and use appropriate evidence to support informed judgements. | 25.0% |
key tips for success
Plan your unit staging early
Papers are available in January, June and October. Decide with your school which units go in which series so you're not sitting all four at once.
Expect synoptic elements on Units 3 and 4
Later units assume earlier ones. Revise units 1-2 as part of your Unit 3-4 preparation.
Master diagram technique
Supply/demand, cost curves, AD/AS, market structures. Every essay benefits from a clean labelled diagram. Practise drawing them fast.
Build a bank of real-world examples
Follow global economic news throughout the year (FT, The Economist, Bloomberg). Recent examples of trade policy, exchange rates or firm behaviour elevate essay answers.
Structure essays with clear judgement
AO4 is 25.0% and rewards evaluation. Every essay needs a defensible conclusion backed by weighted arguments.
Know the difference between IAS and IAL
Units 1-2 make up the International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS), a standalone qualification. Adding units 3-4 gives you the full IAL.
Where to next
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