Knowing how to revise for A Level Economics can be tricky, especially given the wide-ranging topics and techniques that are needed to succeed. With diagrams, definitions and essay structure to remember, it can be overwhelming.
However, Economics is one of the most revisable subjects once you have the right strategy. In this guide, we’re going to break down exactly how to revise effectively for A Level Economics, whether you’re aiming for a C or pushing for an A*, with our 5 ways to help smash your exams.
Start with the gaps
Your first port of call when revising for A Level Economics should be where there are gaps in your knowledge. You can use the course specification or Study Dog’s Revision Checklist as part of our revision tools to check which topics you have covered, and which ones you need to go back over again.
Make sure you’re asking yourself important questions, like:
- Do I understand this topic?
- Can I explain it clearly?
- Can I apply it to an example?
- Can I evaluate it in an essay?
Once you can do that, you can move on to the next topic. This will make your work when revising for A Level Economics more efficient, as you can focus primarily on the topics you know you haven’t covered.
Master the key concepts
Success in A Level Economics is built on foundational knowledge, meaning what you know about the core concepts affects your ability to analyse and evaluate information in the long run. When you come to revise for A Level Economics, make sure you’re confident in the following key topics:
Microeconomics basics
- Supply and demand
- Elasticity
- Market failure
- Government intervention
Macroeconomics basics
- Inflation
- Unemployment
- Economic growth
- Fiscal and monetary policy
These ideas come up everywhere, even in the hardest essays. So, having that foundational knowledge will make you more comfortable writing and evaluating different economic principles.
Learn the real-world examples
In many of your essays, you’ll be asked to respond to current affairs in the economic world. Whether this is a large merger or a change in business direction, these are important events to keep up with.
You should therefore take some time to go through the most recent economics news when you come to revise for A Level Economics. Websites like the Financial Times and BBC Business News are great to see what’s going on around the world that might be important to include as examples in your essays.
Learn how to draw and interpret diagrams
Diagrams play an important role in A Level Economics, particularly when helping to illustrate different points and argue a certain perspective. Examiners love detailed diagrams because they show understanding quickly. In addition, if you’re a visual learner, it may be easier for you to understand the core concepts when you come to revise for A Level Economics.
To revise diagrams properly, start by drawing them from memory. Label them accurately, explain the shifts and link them back to the question. Your next step should be to check over your diagram to see if you have the key elements in the right place. You could also make flashcards of the key diagrams and try to explain what the elements mean.
The key diagrams to prioritise in your A Level Economics revision:
- Supply and demand
- Monopoly vs competition
- Negative externalities
- AD/AS model
- Phillips curve
Put your A Level Economics revision into practice
Once you have covered the main concepts in the course, you should then put them to use in exam conditions. This can be done easily through A Level Economics Past Papers, or a set of practice papers.
Study Dog offers two full sets of A Level Economics practice papers, allowing you to master the timing, feel and structure of your essays in a practice scenario. This gets you more comfortable with an exam situation and can help calm your nerves when the real exams come.
Get Support That Saves You Time
When the time comes to revise for A Level Economics, we make it much easier. We offer students:
- Multimedia learning, including audio notes
- Clear course notes
- Model exam answers
- Helpful examples throughout
- Assessment resources like quizzes and flashcards
- Two full sets of practice papers
If you want revision resources that actually feel manageable, sign up for Study Dog today and unlock your A* potential in A Level Economics.
