9708 · Cambridge International AS Level
9708/21
Paper 2
Economics · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.2 / 5
130
180 min
Government Policy Intervention and Macroeconomic Management
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
130
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
In the Data Response section, candidates who secured high marks demonstrated precise graphical interpretation.
For example, calculating the percentage change in the balance of trade required recognizing that a negative value represents a deficit, meaning an increase from −858 -858 −858 to −410 -410 −410 is a reduction in the deficit.
In the essay sections, high-scoring essays on planned versus mixed economies (Q2b) and price elasticity of supply versus cross elasticity of demand (Q3b) avoided generalities and utilized precise economic frameworks.
The 12-mark essays are graded using a level-of-response mark scheme where candidates must show structured analysis and balanced evaluation with a justified conclusion to access the top level (9-12 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 & Understanding
Weight: 5100%Application (AO1/AO2)
Weight: 360%Analysis (AO2)
Weight: 240%Evaluation (AO3)
Weight: 120%
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 47% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 29% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 21% 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 “Choose” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Consider” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Fiscal policy (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
14 marks this session
Government macroeconomic policy objectives (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
13 marks this session
Resource allocation in different economic systems (Basic economic ideas and resource allocation (AS Level))
12 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
Production possibility curves
Fiscal policy
Unemployment (The Macroeconomy (AS Level))
Monetary policy
Fiscal policy (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
Government macroeconomic policy objectives (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
Supply-side policy (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
Resource allocation in different economic systems (Basic economic ideas and resource allocation (AS Level))
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (Data Response & Essays):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Failing to compare fiscal policy interventions with alternative monetary or supply-side frameworks in macro essays.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Fiscal policy (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGovernment macroeconomic policy objectives (Government macroeconomic intervention (AS Level))
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiResource allocation in different economic systems (Basic economic ideas and resource allocation (AS Level))
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
In the Data Response section, candidates who secured high marks demonstrated precise graphical interpretation.
- 2Message
For example, calculating the percentage change in the balance of trade required recognizing that a negative value represents a deficit, meaning an increase from −858 -858 −858 to −410 -410 −410 is a reduction in the deficit.
- 3Message
In the essay sections, high-scoring essays on planned versus mixed economies (Q2b) and price elasticity of supply versus cross elasticity of demand (Q3b) avoided generalities and utilized precise economic frameworks.
- 4Message
The 12-mark essays are graded using a level-of-response mark scheme where candidates must show structured analysis and balanced evaluation with a justified conclusion to access the top level (9-12 marks).
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Economics
In the Data Response section, candidates who secured high marks demonstrated precise graphical interpretation. For example, calculating the percentage change in the balance of trade required recognizing that a negative value represents a deficit, meaning an increase from −858 -85
In the Data Response section, candidates who secured high marks demonstrated precise graphical interpretation.
For example, calculating the percentage change in the balance of trade required recognizing that a negative value represents a deficit, meaning an increase from −858 -858 −858 to −410 -410 −410 is a reduction in the deficit.
In the essay sections, high-scoring essays on planned versus mixed economies (Q2b) and price elasticity of supply versus cross elasticity of demand (Q3b) avoided generalities and utilized precise economic frameworks.
- Total marks
- 130
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
In the Data Response section, candidates who secured high marks demonstrated precise graphical interpretation. For example, calculating the percentage change in the balance of trade required recognizing that a negative value represents a deficit, meaning an increase from −858 -858 −858 to −410 -410 −410 is a reduction in the deficit. In the essay sections, high-scoring essays on planned versus mixed economies (Q2b) and price elasticity of supply versus cross elasticity of demand (Q3b) avoided generalities and utilized precise economic frameworks. The 12-mark essays are graded using a level-of-response mark scheme where candidates must show structured analysis and balanced evaluation with a justified conclusion to access the top level (9-12 marks).
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (Data Response & Essays):
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.
77% 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.
Essay
(Part B)
48·4·37%
Essay
(Part A)
32·4·25%
Multiple Choice
30·30·23%
Data Response
20·6·15%
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 11 Multiple C…
0.50 m/minPaper 21 Section A …
0.50 m/minPaper 21 Section B …
0.50 m/minTotal marks
60
Total time
120 min
Avg pace
0.50
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Exchange Rates & Monetary Policy Interrelation
85%85%
Market Failure & Indirect Tax/Subsidy Graphical Analysis
80%80%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 60
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.