Examiners’ Report
Prinicipal Examiner Feedback
October 2020
Pearson Edexcel GCE
In Economics B (9EB0)
Paper 3: The Economic Environment and
Business
1
,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 students at:
www.pearson.com/uk
October 2020
Publications Code 9EB0_03_2010_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2020
2
, Introduction
Entries were extremely limited for this paper and as a result it is hard to reach any meaningful
judgements as to its overall performance. For many of the candidates it did prove to be a testing
paper with some topics such as speculative bubbles, the role of the central bank and market changes
proving particularly challenging. Several candidates did not attempt to answer some of the
questions.
However, there were some very good responses from the more able candidates who demonstrated
the ability to apply wide understanding and knowledge to the context of the questions.
As mentioned in previous years, many answers were wholly generic, not even bothering to use the
extracts. Once again, it is worth stressing that the ‘use of relevant evidence’ is a key part of the level
descriptors in the mark scheme. Without this, candidates will struggle to reach the higher levels.
Question 1 (a)
Those candidates who understood the nature of a bubble were able to use the evidence
appropriately and explain why the UK housing market could be seen as one. They were able to add
balance by contrasting the difference in the rise of house prices between London and the rest of the
UK.
Weaker responses seemed unsure as to just what a bubble was, most knew it had something to do
with high or rapidly rising prices but could not go further. Some students are still not including
balance in their answers, despite the command to ‘Discuss’
In the response below the candidate understands the nature of a bubble and attempts to connect
this to the UK housing market. It does wander off the point slightly but does attempt some balance
towards the end. This response reached L2 and 4 marks.
3
Prinicipal Examiner Feedback
October 2020
Pearson Edexcel GCE
In Economics B (9EB0)
Paper 3: The Economic Environment and
Business
1
,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 students at:
www.pearson.com/uk
October 2020
Publications Code 9EB0_03_2010_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2020
2
, Introduction
Entries were extremely limited for this paper and as a result it is hard to reach any meaningful
judgements as to its overall performance. For many of the candidates it did prove to be a testing
paper with some topics such as speculative bubbles, the role of the central bank and market changes
proving particularly challenging. Several candidates did not attempt to answer some of the
questions.
However, there were some very good responses from the more able candidates who demonstrated
the ability to apply wide understanding and knowledge to the context of the questions.
As mentioned in previous years, many answers were wholly generic, not even bothering to use the
extracts. Once again, it is worth stressing that the ‘use of relevant evidence’ is a key part of the level
descriptors in the mark scheme. Without this, candidates will struggle to reach the higher levels.
Question 1 (a)
Those candidates who understood the nature of a bubble were able to use the evidence
appropriately and explain why the UK housing market could be seen as one. They were able to add
balance by contrasting the difference in the rise of house prices between London and the rest of the
UK.
Weaker responses seemed unsure as to just what a bubble was, most knew it had something to do
with high or rapidly rising prices but could not go further. Some students are still not including
balance in their answers, despite the command to ‘Discuss’
In the response below the candidate understands the nature of a bubble and attempts to connect
this to the UK housing market. It does wander off the point slightly but does attempt some balance
towards the end. This response reached L2 and 4 marks.
3
