Examiners’ Report
Principal Examiner Feedback
November 2021
Pearson Edexcel GCE
In Economics A (9EC0)
Paper 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body.
We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and
specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites
at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using
the details on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds
of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150
years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through
innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your candidates at:
www.pearson.com/uk
November 2021
Publications Code 9EC0_03_2111_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2021
, Introduction
This exam series was designed as an opportunity for candidates to take A Level exams
after the Summer 2021 exam series was cancelled and replaced with a system of Centre
Assessed Grades. 9EC0 03 was seen by many to be an interesting and informative exam
paper, which tested a wide range of concepts, including some areas which had not been
examined before and some 'old favourites' in a new context.
The paper was to be fairly accessible, and most questions were answered with cogent
economics and helpful diagrams. The data was readily usable, and the best answers
made use of it in every question, as indeed is expected on data response papers.
The area causing the most concern was 2b, given that the effect of the unemployment
had to be shown to be on firms.
There was a tendency of candidates to write far too much for the 5- and 8-mark
questions, running out of time at the end. Candidates should be reminded that full
marks can be earned in a fraction of the space available on the exam paper itself, and
there is an especially large amount of space given when diagrams or calculations are
required, to allow for crossings out.
From what was seen by examiners, candidates could have perhaps benefitted further
practice with examination papers and polishing those skills. There was also a general
inability to work through unseen data and relate this to the models and theories that
had been taught or self-taught.
Section A Hand car washes
1a The market structure that was expected for this question was monopolistic
competition, although the characteristics are so close to perfect competition
that this model was fully acceptable. Many however wrote ‘monopolistic’
without the noun ‘competition’ and although it may seem generous, this was
accepted if it was clear that the model being described was not in fact
monopoly.
- Allow perfect competition/highly competitive as the ID mark
(Knowledge)- with follow on explanation to match
- ‘Monopolistic’ is allowed this year for first time as shorthand for
monopolistic competition but monopoly/oligopoly is not allowed
- Allow low or no barriers to entry
- 1 mark for the ID of model, 2 characteristics of model, 2 applications
- Diagrams can be used as the analysis marks (up to 2 marks e.g. -
price setting power and SNP/normal profit)
Below is an exceptional answer worth full marks;
Principal Examiner Feedback
November 2021
Pearson Edexcel GCE
In Economics A (9EC0)
Paper 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body.
We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and
specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites
at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using
the details on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds
of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150
years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through
innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your candidates at:
www.pearson.com/uk
November 2021
Publications Code 9EC0_03_2111_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2021
, Introduction
This exam series was designed as an opportunity for candidates to take A Level exams
after the Summer 2021 exam series was cancelled and replaced with a system of Centre
Assessed Grades. 9EC0 03 was seen by many to be an interesting and informative exam
paper, which tested a wide range of concepts, including some areas which had not been
examined before and some 'old favourites' in a new context.
The paper was to be fairly accessible, and most questions were answered with cogent
economics and helpful diagrams. The data was readily usable, and the best answers
made use of it in every question, as indeed is expected on data response papers.
The area causing the most concern was 2b, given that the effect of the unemployment
had to be shown to be on firms.
There was a tendency of candidates to write far too much for the 5- and 8-mark
questions, running out of time at the end. Candidates should be reminded that full
marks can be earned in a fraction of the space available on the exam paper itself, and
there is an especially large amount of space given when diagrams or calculations are
required, to allow for crossings out.
From what was seen by examiners, candidates could have perhaps benefitted further
practice with examination papers and polishing those skills. There was also a general
inability to work through unseen data and relate this to the models and theories that
had been taught or self-taught.
Section A Hand car washes
1a The market structure that was expected for this question was monopolistic
competition, although the characteristics are so close to perfect competition
that this model was fully acceptable. Many however wrote ‘monopolistic’
without the noun ‘competition’ and although it may seem generous, this was
accepted if it was clear that the model being described was not in fact
monopoly.
- Allow perfect competition/highly competitive as the ID mark
(Knowledge)- with follow on explanation to match
- ‘Monopolistic’ is allowed this year for first time as shorthand for
monopolistic competition but monopoly/oligopoly is not allowed
- Allow low or no barriers to entry
- 1 mark for the ID of model, 2 characteristics of model, 2 applications
- Diagrams can be used as the analysis marks (up to 2 marks e.g. -
price setting power and SNP/normal profit)
Below is an exceptional answer worth full marks;
