ECONOMICS · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
ECONOMICS/12
Paper 1
Economics · 2023 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
160
180 min
Macroeconomic objectives
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
In both papers, the lower-tariff questions (1-3 marks) offered a straightforward path to passing marks.
However, a significant number of candidates threw away easy marks on calculations by omitting units (such as CAD$bn in Paper 2) or failing to provide answers to exactly two decimal places when explicitly requested.
For instance, in the Price Elasticity of Demand (PED) calculation:PED=+1.9%−1.2%=−1.58 PED = \frac{+1.9\%}{-1.2\%} = -1.58 PED=−1.2%+1.9%=−1.58many candidates omitted the negative sign or failed to show their complete working.
Under the Edexcel specification, showing calculations is your safety net; even with an incorrect final figure, correct placement of variables scores partial credit.
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 9
Approx. 71% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 64% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 41% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 33% of maximum mark
Level 2
Approx. 25% 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 “Choice” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” 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 objectives
24 marks this session
Government policies
19 marks this session
The labour market
18 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
Government policies
International trade
Macroeconomic objectives
Relationships between objectives and policies
Elasticity
The economic problem
The labour market
Externalities
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Microeconomics and Business Economics (4EC1/01R):
Paper 2: Macroeconomics and the Global Economy (4EC1/02R):
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
Macroeconomic objectives
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiGovernment policies
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe labour market
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
In both papers, the lower-tariff questions (1-3 marks) offered a straightforward path to passing marks.
- 2Message
However, a significant number of candidates threw away easy marks on calculations by omitting units (such as CAD$bn in Paper 2) or failing to provide answers to exactly two decimal places when explicitly requested.
- 3Message
For instance, in the Price Elasticity of Demand (PED) calculation:PED=+1.9%−1.2%=−1.58 PED = \frac{+1.9\%}{-1.2\%} = -1.58 PED=−1.2%+1.9%=−1.58many candidates omitted the negative sign or failed to show their complete working.
- 4Message
Under the Edexcel specification, showing calculations is your safety net; even with an incorrect final figure, correct placement of variables scores partial credit.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Economics
In both papers, the lower-tariff questions (1-3 marks) offered a straightforward path to passing marks. However, a significant number of candidates threw away easy marks on calculations by omitting units (such as CAD$bn in Paper 2) or failing to provide answers to exactly two dec
In both papers, the lower-tariff questions (1-3 marks) offered a straightforward path to passing marks.
However, a significant number of candidates threw away easy marks on calculations by omitting units (such as CAD$bn in Paper 2) or failing to provide answers to exactly two decimal places when explicitly requested.
For instance, in the Price Elasticity of Demand (PED) calculation:PED=+1.9%−1.2%=−1.58 PED = \frac{+1.9\%}{-1.2\%} = -1.58 PED=−1.2%+1.9%=−1.58many candidates omitted the negative sign or failed to show their complete working.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
In both papers, the lower-tariff questions (1-3 marks) offered a straightforward path to passing marks. However, a significant number of candidates threw away easy marks on calculations by omitting units (such as CAD$bn in Paper 2) or failing to provide answers to exactly two decimal places when explicitly requested. For instance, in the Price Elasticity of Demand (PED) calculation:PED=+1.9%−1.2%=−1.58 PED = \frac{+1.9\%}{-1.2\%} = -1.58 PED=−1.2%+1.9%=−1.58many candidates omitted the negative sign or failed to show their complete working. Under the Edexcel specification, showing calculations is your safety net; even with an incorrect final figure, correct placement of variables scores partial credit.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Microeconomics and Business Economics (4EC1/01R):
Paper 2: Macroeconomics and the Global Economy (4EC1/02R):
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.
Analyse
36·6·23%
Assess
36·4·23%
Evaluate
24·2·15%
State / Define / Short Answer
17·11·11%
Explain
15·5·9%
Diagram
12·4·8%
Multiple Choice
10·10·6%
Calculation
10·5·6%
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.
Globalisation
90%90%
Externalities
85%85%
Elasticity
80%80%
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.