7136 · AQA A Level
7136/31
Economic Principles and Issues
Economics · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
240
360 min
Fiscal policy and supply-side policies
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
240
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves through precise, fully-labeled diagrams that directly complemented their written arguments.
For instance, in Paper 1, the negative production externality diagram required clear identification of the deadweight loss area and the divergence between private and social costs (MSC>MPC MSC > MPC MSC>MPC).
In Paper 2, candidates who successfully demonstrated how a reduction in out-of-work benefits acts as a wage floor pivot in the labor market secured top-tier analytical marks.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge & UAO2
Weight: 4100%ApplicationAO3
Weight: 375%AnalysisAO4
Weight: 250%Evaluation
Weight: 125%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A*
Approx. 76% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 65% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 45% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 26% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Support your choice with specific evidence from data or the scenario given.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Fiscal policy and supply-side policies
64 marks this session
Perfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly
43 marks this session
The international economy
42 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Perfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly
Fiscal policy and supply-side policies
The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets
The international economy
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper ets and Market Failure:
Paper 2 National and International Economy:
Paper 3 Economic Principles and Issues:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Fiscal policy and supply-side policies
64 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPerfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly
43 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe international economy
42 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves through precise, fully-labeled diagrams that directly complemented their written arguments.
- 2Message
For instance, in Paper 1, the negative production externality diagram required clear identification of the deadweight loss area and the divergence between private and social costs (MSC>MPC MSC > MPC MSC>MPC).
- 3Message
In Paper 2, candidates who successfully demonstrated how a reduction in out-of-work benefits acts as a wage floor pivot in the labor market secured top-tier analytical marks.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Economics
High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves through precise, fully-labeled diagrams that directly complemented their written arguments. For instance, in Paper 1, the negative production externality diagram required clear identification of the deadweight loss area and the div
High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves through precise, fully-labeled diagrams that directly complemented their written arguments.
For instance, in Paper 1, the negative production externality diagram required clear identification of the deadweight loss area and the divergence between private and social costs (MSC>MPC MSC > MPC MSC>MPC).
In Paper 2, candidates who successfully demonstrated how a reduction in out-of-work benefits acts as a wage floor pivot in the labor market secured top-tier analytical marks.
- Total marks
- 240
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
High-scoring candidates distinguished themselves through precise, fully-labeled diagrams that directly complemented their written arguments. For instance, in Paper 1, the negative production externality diagram required clear identification of the deadweight loss area and the divergence between private and social costs (MSC>MPC MSC > MPC MSC>MPC). In Paper 2, candidates who successfully demonstrated how a reduction in out-of-work benefits acts as a wage floor pivot in the labor market secured top-tier analytical marks.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper ets and Market Failure:
Paper 2 National and International Economy:
Paper 3 Economic Principles and Issues:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
63% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Extended Essay / Investigation
170·8·71%
Multiple Choice
30·30·13%
Diagram / Explanatory
28·3·12%
Short Answer / Calculation
12·4·5%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (…
0.67 m/minPaper 1 Section B (…
0.67 m/minPaper 2 Section A (…
0.67 m/minPaper 2 Section B (…
0.67 m/minPaper 3 Section A (…
0.67 m/minTotal marks
200
Total time
300 min
Avg pace
0.67
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
The labour market
5%5%
Financial markets and monetary policy
5%5%
Production, costs and revenue
4%4%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 80
- Weighting
- 33.3%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Data Analysis & Comparison, Analytical Exposition, Evaluative Essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.