7135 · AQA AS Level
7135/21
AS Level Economics Paper 2
Economics · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.4 / 5
140
180 min
Macroeconomic Policy and Government Intervention
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A significant portion of marks resided in the high-tariff 25-mark evaluation questions, where students had to demonstrate clear logical chains of reasoning and structured evaluation.
Excellent performance in the quantitative elements of Section B (calculating price indices and VAT adjustments) acted as a major differentiator.
Conversely, many students lost valuable marks in the definitions by failing to provide precise economic terminology.
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 and Understanding
Weight: 4100%Application
Weight: 375%Analysis
Weight: 250%Evaluation
Weight: 125%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
In quantitative questions, by not showing working stages, preventing candidates from earning method marks if their final calculation is incorrect.
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. 71% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 64% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 49% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 43% 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
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
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.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Macroeconomic Policy and Government Intervention
45 marks this session
The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets
29 marks this session
Price determination in a competitive market
20 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
Macroeconomic Policy and Government Intervention
The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets
Price determination in a competitive market
Economic performance
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: The Operation of Markets and Market Failure:
Paper 2: The National Economy in a Global Context:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- In quantitative questions, by not showing working stages, preventing candidates from earning method marks if their final calculation is incorrect.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Macroeconomic Policy and Government Intervention
45 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets
29 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPrice determination in a competitive market
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A significant portion of marks resided in the high-tariff 25-mark evaluation questions, where students had to demonstrate clear logical chains of reasoning and structured evaluation.
- 2Message
Excellent performance in the quantitative elements of Section B (calculating price indices and VAT adjustments) acted as a major differentiator.
- 3Message
Conversely, many students lost valuable marks in the definitions by failing to provide precise economic terminology.
- 4Method
In quantitative questions, by not showing working stages, preventing candidates from earning method marks if their final calculation is incorrect.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Economics
A significant portion of marks resided in the high-tariff 25-mark evaluation questions, where students had to demonstrate clear logical chains of reasoning and structured evaluation. Excellent performance in the quantitative elements of Section B (calculating price indices and VA
A significant portion of marks resided in the high-tariff 25-mark evaluation questions, where students had to demonstrate clear logical chains of reasoning and structured evaluation.
Excellent performance in the quantitative elements of Section B (calculating price indices and VAT adjustments) acted as a major differentiator.
Conversely, many students lost valuable marks in the definitions by failing to provide precise economic terminology.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
A significant portion of marks resided in the high-tariff 25-mark evaluation questions, where students had to demonstrate clear logical chains of reasoning and structured evaluation. Excellent performance in the quantitative elements of Section B (calculating price indices and VAT adjustments) acted as a major differentiator. Conversely, many students lost valuable marks in the definitions by failing to provide precise economic terminology.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: The Operation of Markets and Market Failure:
Paper 2: The National Economy in a Global Context:
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.
64% 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.
Evaluative Essays
50·2·36%
Multiple Choice Questions
40·40·29%
Short Explanations
20·2·14%
Calculations
8·2·6%
Data Feature Identification
8·2·6%
Diagrams and Charts
8·2·6%
Definitions
6·2·4%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Supply-Side Policies and Labour Market Reforms
90%90%
Oligopoly and Collusive Behaviour
85%85%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 70
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Definition, Calculation, Data Interpretation, Diagrammatic Drawing, Explanation Essay, Evaluation Essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.