ECONOMICS-YEC11 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
ECONOMICS-YEC11/12
Paper 1
Economics · Winter 2026 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
320
450 min
Measures of economic performance
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
320
Duration
450 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2026 Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Economics suite presents a robust test of theoretical precision and real-world application.
With an overall difficulty index of 3.8/5, the series is characterized by highly technical requirements, particularly in Unit 3 (Business Behaviour) and Unit 4 (Global Developments).
While Section A remains highly accessible to candidates who have mastered key definitions, Section C and Section D demand a high level of analytical and evaluative sophistication.
Candidates who relied on rote learning were heavily penalized; success required the ability to synthesize extract data with complex multi-stage economic diagrams.
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.
Quantitative & Diagrammatic Skills
Weight: 8100%Application of economic theory
Weight: 788%Diagram
Weight: 563%Analytical Chains
Weight: 450%Critical Evaluation
Weight: 225%
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. 90% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 80% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 70% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 40% 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.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.
Match the expected response style for “Examine” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.
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
Measures of economic performance
47 marks this session
Balance of payments, exchange rates and international competitiveness
42 marks this session
Consumer behaviour and demand
34 marks this session
Poverty and inequality
34 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
Measures of economic performance
Balance of payments, exchange rates and international competitiveness
Market failure
Government intervention in markets
Macroeconomic objectives and policies
Price determination
Consumer behaviour and demand
Poverty and inequality
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Unit 1: Markets in action (WEC11/01A): Unit 2: Macroeconomic performance and policy (WEC12/01A): Unit 3: Business behaviour (WEC13/01A): Unit 4: Developments in the global economy (WEC14/01A):
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
Measures of economic performance
47 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBalance of payments, exchange rates and international competitiveness
42 marks this session
Practise in RevuiConsumer behaviour and demand
34 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPoverty and inequality
34 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The January 2026 Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Economics suite presents a robust test of theoretical precision and real-world application.
- 2Message
With an overall difficulty index of 3.8/5, the series is characterized by highly technical requirements, particularly in Unit 3 (Business Behaviour) and Unit 4 (Global Developments).
- 3Message
While Section A remains highly accessible to candidates who have mastered key definitions, Section C and Section D demand a high level of analytical and evaluative sophistication.
- 4Message
Candidates who relied on rote learning were heavily penalized; success required the ability to synthesize extract data with complex multi-stage economic diagrams.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
Winter 2026 2026
Economics
The January 2026 Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Economics suite presents a robust test of theoretical precision and real-world application. With an overall difficulty index of 3.8/5, the series is characterized by highly technical requirements, particularly in Unit 3 (Busi
The January 2026 Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Economics suite presents a robust test of theoretical precision and real-world application.
With an overall difficulty index of 3.8/5, the series is characterized by highly technical requirements, particularly in Unit 3 (Business Behaviour) and Unit 4 (Global Developments).
While Section A remains highly accessible to candidates who have mastered key definitions, Section C and Section D demand a high level of analytical and evaluative sophistication.
- Total marks
- 320
- Duration
- 450 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2026 Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Economics suite presents a robust test of theoretical precision and real-world application. With an overall difficulty index of 3.8/5, the series is characterized by highly technical requirements, particularly in Unit 3 (Business Behaviour) and Unit 4 (Global Developments). While Section A remains highly accessible to candidates who have mastered key definitions, Section C and Section D demand a high level of analytical and evaluative sophistication. Candidates who relied on rote learning were heavily penalized; success required the ability to synthesize extract data with complex multi-stage economic diagrams.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Unit 1: Markets in action (WEC11/01A): Unit 2: Macroeconomic performance and policy (WEC12/01A): Unit 3: Business behaviour (WEC13/01A): Unit 4: Developments in the global economy (WEC14/01A):
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.
69% 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 Writing / Essay
176·10·55%
Short Answer / Calculation
64·18·20%
Data Response Analysis
56·8·18%
Multiple Choice
24·24·8%
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.
Fiscal Policy and National Debt Sustainability
90%90%
Monopoly vs. Oligopoly Game Theory
85%85%
Free Trade Areas vs. Customs Unions
80%80%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
The January 2026 Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Economics suite presents a robust test of theoretical precision and real-world application. With an overall difficulty index of 3.8/5, the series is characterized by highly technical requirements, particularly in Unit 3 (Business Behaviour) and Unit 4 (Global Developments). While Section A remains highly accessible to candidates who have mastered key definitions, Section C and Section D demand a high level of analytical and evaluative sophistication. Candidates who relied on rote learning were heavily penalized; success required the ability to synthesize extract data with complex multi-stage economic diagrams.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.