Exam tips for unit 4

This unit is 60% of the A2 examination

2 hour exam

Section A consists of 2 essays, part a (20 marks) and part b (30 marks). You have a choice of 3 questions but must do part a and b for your chosen question 50 MARKS for SECTION A

Section B is ONE data response question 50 MARKS SECTION B

TOTAL MARKS FOR UNIT 4 PAPER 100

Section A – Allow 1 hour for this section

20 mark essay is 14 KAA marks and 6 evaluation - Make 3 points and evaluate these 3 points. Overall conclusion.

30 mark essay is 21 KAA marks and 9 evaluation – Make 4 points and evaluate at least 3. Overall conclusion.

There is no extract to refer to for these, so try to use real country examples.

Section B – based on June 2013 mark scheme - allow 1 hour for this section

Question Possible command words

Mark scheme Tips

5 mark Explain 3 marks knowledge, 2 application (data reference)

Define key terms, explain and give a clear data reference from the extracte.g. for June 2013 paper ‘one country from fig 1 with one data reference’ 1 + 1

8 mark Explain, analyse 2 id (identify)2 ap 4 analysis

Make 2 separate points (2)Explain/analyse your 2 points (2 + 2)Make 2 relevant data references from the extract – if the question specifies a particular paragraph, the data ref must come from this paragraph. (2)

10 marks Examine, evaluate, assess, to what ex-tent, discuss

(all evaluation com-mand words)

1 knowledge2 application 3 analysis4 evaluation

2 relevant data references from the extractIdentify 2 points3 marks for analysing these points4 evaluation marks for 2 separate evaluation points

12 marks Evaluate, to what ex-tent, assess, examine 2 marks for identifi-

cation of 2 reasons2 for application 3 analysis (for at least 2 reasons)5 evaluation

2 marks for identifying 2 reasons2 relevant data references from the extract3 analysis marks for at least 2 reasons5 evaluation marks for up to 3 evaluation points

15 marks Assess, to what ex-tent, evaluate, dis-cuss the view

9 KAA, 6 evaluationUp to 3 points (KAA)Up to 3 evaluation points

Best strategy is define key terms, explain/an-alyse up to 3 points.Evaluate up to 3 points2 marks available any 2 relevantexamples from extract

Note- importance of making 2 data references for every data response question

Evaluation

Are short run outcomes likely to be different from long run consequences?

Are there other policy changes going on that could affect the effectiveness of the policy (fiscal and monetary policy do not work in isolation)?

Are there any conflicts of objectives? You may have to prioritise arguments…

Counter arguments ‘discuss the view’ – argue in favour and then against

Some evaluation points from June 2013 exam for the 20 mark question:

• To what extent is monetary policy the most effective way of stimulating economic growth? Refer to at least one example of a developed economy in your answer. (30 marks – June 2013)

TIPS: Must refer to how monetary policy ‘stimulates growth’, must refer to a developed economy in your answer, e.g. UK; Must refer to other policies, e.g. supply side policies in order to evaluate

Evaluation points:

• Interest rates already low and little scope to reduce them further• Interest rate policy is ineffective if business and consumer confidence is low• Time frame: monetary policy does not usually have an immediate effect on behaviour

e.g. people with fixed mortgage rates; traders who have fixed term contracts• Limited evidence that QE has resulted in increased lending to businesses and growth• It is argued that QE has resulted in increased asset and commodity prices• Primary role of monetary policy to control inflation• Some countries do not have an independent monetary policy e.g. members of euro-

zone

Assess the effect of globalisation on inequality in the world economy.

Point: Unskilled workers in developed countries have been priced out of the market by out-sourcing of work to low wage countriesEval: with rising transport and wage costs in developing countries, some companies are mov-ing factories back to developed countries

Point: Increased trade has resulted in rapid growth rates in countries such as China and India which have lifted large numbers of people out of povertyEval: some countries left behind e.g. those with civil wars such as Mali or wars with neigh-bours Sudan/South Sudan

Relative poverty within countries has increased e.g. because of fall in demand for unskilled labour in

developed countries; industrialisation in developing countriesEval: governments can take measures to redistribute incomes.

With reference to Extract 1, evaluate factors which continue to limit economicdevelopment in many African countries.(15)

Rapid rates of growth in some countries will enable more resources to be devoted to health and educationFDI is increasing rapidly because countries such as China wish to gain access to raw materials and landMore democracy might reduce corruptionInternal security issues may be short term only

FINAL CONCLUSIONRe-read the question to make sure you are still fully focused!! An overall summing up; you have to give an overall evaluation. You can take a strong view so long as you have justified it in your essay. You can choose to ‘sit on the fence’ if the arguments are finely balanced.