How To Get Full Marks On A-Level Economics Essays

[@qwertymehta8342]

It's so weird, my other subjects are fully essay based (history and politics) and I get pretty good marks for those, but I just cannot do econ 25 markers

[@silasmartin5210]

I do A-Level politics aswell as Econ . I feel your pain

[@CormacFlan]

Is econ history and politics a good combo

[@999-g8z]

@@CormacFlan yes

[@rowanmajeed282]

Thanks, found this really helpful. Could you do a video taking us through some of your old economics essays?

[@SamHillman]

Unfortunately I saved all my old essays on my sixth form google account which I now don’t have access to.

[@pigeonhero3889]

I got my A level economic exam in 2 months. (May 18th), I'll do my best but man economics is really tough for me, my brain is much better with numbers/algebra hence why I am getting A* in maths at the moment but struggling to even graze a B in economics. My main issue is when I see a 25 marker or 15 marker my brain just turns to mush and I can only really think of one or two points (one for, one against). I can never seem to think of 2 for 2 against with evaluation for each one. 9 Markers are probably my forte as they are much more straight forward - a simple A -> B explanation.

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

Honestly economics is werid. It’s a mix of so many things. English, social science, Geography, History, Maths, Politics, law. It’s so weird 😅

[@nugs8506]

Im in the exact situation as well lol, cant seem to hit 15 or 25 markers well

[@SamHillman]

Try and view a 15 marker as a bit of a longer 9-marker. So an A -> B explanation x2. If you can add a bit of evaluation in there then great. As for a 25 marker, a little plan can go a long way. The extract is there to help you, so read through that if you are lost for points. Otherwise, all I can recommend is practise planning and writing essays.

[@nugs8506]

thank you for the video! I'm predicted an A for this year but got a D in my last mock, panicking at the moment as Paper 1 is in 6 weeks

[@SamHillman]

I understand - but try and keep a positive mindset. Let me know if you have any questions you'd like answering.

[@hi-pg9bp]

How’s it going

[@cr7alNassrandPortugal]

Just saw your results video, and you excelled!

[@kimberleygagliardi6027]

you just got litt up mug omg legendary

[@a.r1s]

So helpful bro, you made this video right on time for my mocks!

[@SamHillman]

Glad I could help, good luck in your mocks!

[@calraade5784]

Thank you for the flash cards !!!

[@SamHillman]

No problem!

[@devsaluja5489]

@@SamHillman do you have year 1 economics flash cards?

[@yimengliu3095]

thank you so much, could u please share some experiences about a2 economics essay? i'm really suffering with that

[@saadhamid923]

Bro I am currently doing my A-2 (p4) 20 mark question’s evaluation is so difficult can you make a video on it

[@SamHillman]

Can do!

[@saadhamid923]

@@SamHillman thanks bro! Love you!!

[@morgzch]

Incredilbly helpful, appreciate it

[@SamHillman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MC10W]

Did you not have to include Real World examples from wider reading or facts and includes figures from your own knowledge about the UK economy to achieve a Level 5 Response in the exam? Thanks.

[@renee3183]

don’t worry abt wider reading or memorising facts but i think you need to know about the last twenty years of uk economic history and the goldilocks period roughly

[@SamHillman]

Being up to date with examples and stats is useful, but the extract provides a lot of useful information

[@hollow9846]

This mostly applies in section B in Aqa Economics If you're given an extract use it, but you can evaluate with your own facts and figures if possible

[@mydreonia]

Do these apply to CAIE A Levels too?

[@DevrimSoz]

Yo someone how can I learn how to interpret question , like I know every piece of content but sometimes I can’t understand the question

[@aditi3938]

Where can I find evaluation for my points?

[@arabella2265]

hey whats your process in going about making 'essay plans'? idrk how to do them !

[@SamHillman]

For the intro I’ll just define the key terms and outline my argument. I’ll then just bullet point my points for the paragraphs and draw the necessary diagrams. And then I may write a mini-conclusion

[@henrywinters9496]

Wait did yu use a word processor instead of handwriting in exams? I really struggle with this.

[@SamHillman]

I actually handwrote my exams, but I know quite a few people who used a word processor - so I'd definitely recommend asking to use one if you're struggling

[@hamzaq4009]

What exam board did you do for economics?

[@SamHillman]

AQA

[@elephantseal7816]

Thanks. I was just wondering about the structure you used for a 9 marker? Would it be a definition followed by one analysis point supported with a diagram?

[@oscartommaso2145]

yeh literally that i get 9/9 by doing that

[@SamHillman]

Yeh pretty much, just do as detailed explanations and analysis as possible

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

Is it a hard subject and do you recommend it to someone who really wants to be a politician? 😊

[@SamHillman]

At A-Level I wouldn't say it's particularly hard, I think the concepts and explanations are quite easy to understand. If you'd like to be a politician I'd recommend having at least a basic understanding of economics - it informs lots of policy decisions

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

@@SamHillman got you. It was either Law or Economics and I’m going to pick economics.

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

@@SamHillman thank you

[@clover_9260]

Sir, what if i do all the questions not only three? Do i will fail?

[@ggx8427]

How much time do you give to yourself to do the 25 marker

[@aqsasspace658]

do you know any youtube channels or videos that have lectures or lessons of a levels economics? or do you know any way i could study by my own

[@SamHillman]

I didn't really use KZbin videos to study, however I had friends who used EconPlusDal and Tutor2u, so maybe check those out

[@lirxzy4561]

Hi I’m deciding between a level econ and a level chemistry I didn’t do gcse econ. Can I ask if there’s a lot who studied econ at a level at university. What made you pick econ a level? Did you struggle between that choice and another?

[@txzeem]

economics was an alevel that wasnt as content heavy for me, so idk - it was a subject i enjoyed studying so i wanted to take it on further.

[@jemimabegg3148]

Hiya, i didnt do econ gcse but ive just finished my first year of alevel. I would honestly say it depends on what kind of subjects u enjoy. Its difficult at first and sometimes feels like ur reading or hearing a foreign language😂. But i think as long as ur willing to do some time out of class going over what u learnt its a good subject for alevel. My biggest advice is to read over the textbook because it explains things in better terms than maybe ur teacher has. Also if u dont understand something instead of avoiding it because its difficult talk to friends in ur class or ask ur teacher for help in further explaining it. Econ isnt something u can just revise and write answers to, u need a decent understanding of everything so that u can apply it to different questions. Also be prepared to read news articles or to keep up to date with current economic affairs. And try to look ag economic history as well such as depressions or times of high inflation so u can use these examples in ur answers. My biggest advice is dont put off revision. Make flash cards as you go through the course because things become harder if u dont understand what youve learnt previously. It sounds likr a lot but honestly a few hours each week going over everything, writing flash cards or reading the news make the subject a lot more enjoyable. Its also extremely helpful and a lot of the stuff u learn will be able to help u understand things in the economy or in business that u didnt before.

[@SaifAli-ej7rd]

How many pages should the essay be?

[@SamHillman]

From memory mine were around 4 A4 pages in the exam, but obviously it depends on the size of your handwriting and things like that. Just remember that you only have around 40 minutes to write it in the exam.

[@umarkashif1]

Hey Sam I have some essays I have written up but clueless in how to condense it into an essay plan do you have an example of 1 of your plans to see how to I can write one thanks

[@SamHillman]

Unfortunately I've lost most of them as they were on my college account (which I now don't have access to). However, I think I have at least one or two, how would you like me to send them to you?

[@umarkashif1]

@@SamHillman yes please if you don't mind would really appreciate it.

[@cadence_is_a_penguin]

​@@SamHillman hi sam! by any chance, does your offer to share the plans still stand?

[@Matt-pw1sg]

Which paper was it that you got 19/25 on? Paper 3? If it was any tips for Paper 3 mate?

[@SamHillman]

It was paper 2 actually. Don’t be afraid to use all and any aspects of the course for your essay questions. And then just do lots of practice for the multiple choice to make sure you can do it accurately and precisely.

[@zayyaanpatel7306]

Would this work for gcse ?

[@SamHillman]

Unfortunately I didn't do GCSE economics so I can't say. I'd recommend consulting the GCSE mark scheme and specification

[@a.r1s]

Could you give any advice on what contextual knowledge/case studies we need to know? Do we need to know LIC and a HIC real life examples, collusion examples, monopoly examples etc ?

[@SamHillman]

I'd recommend knowing some basic macroeconomic stats - inflation, GDP growth, unemployment, etc. I personally learnt about cases of collusion, monopoly power, specific supply-side policies, but I don't think I used many of them in the exam. They are always useful to have, but the context will provide you with better examples - so I wouldn't stress too much about learning loads.

[@Matt-pw1sg]

Say it’s a policy question, could you just name 2 policies, giving a pro and a con for each policy, and evaluating both of these pros and cons? So you end up having 4 paragraphs, 1 pro and 1 con of each policy - whilst evaluating each of these points

[@Matt-pw1sg]

That’s how I’ve been taught, but yours seems an easier method that doesn’t require as much writing. Like the way I’ve been taught, you have to give a con, and then say what that con may not be so bad. But with yours, correct me if I’m wrong, you’re just evaluating your advantage point.

[@leonorawyvern8337]

Yeah maybe I should have watched this a little earlier than 2 days before my paper 1….

[@suleimana]

half a day...

[@beanoskills6327]

@@suleimana 12 mins before the day…

[@_clipplus]

@@beanoskills6327 2 mins into the day

[@shahinaozod4181]

a day after..

[@itt4310]

Did you do epq?

[@SamHillman]

No I didn’t in the end

[@st4rgirl251]

you're not only leng, but smart. thank u !!

[@harbzsquadings2277]

🤣🤣

[@anaklusmus]

Hi Sam, I also want to apply to Cambridge for Economics and chose the same A-Level subjects you did. I am inquisitive to know how I could prepare for UKMT senior challenge (currently doing GCSEs predicted 9 for maths and further maths). I really want to do well in the UKMT Senior challenge.

[@SamHillman]

I just did loads of past papers. If you go onto the UKMT website there’s a massive bank of past papers from all the previous years.

[@anaklusmus]

@@SamHillman they charge the past papers for SMC, and ii find the questions on SMC pretty hard, how did you overcome that gap between A-level and GCSE maths to UKMT maths? Thank you so much for your time

[@anaklusmus]

And i am quite confident in achieving 4 A stars for a live and roughly 6-7 A stars and 2 or 1 As for GCSE, other than trying UKMT what else can i do to enhance my chance of getting in Cambridge econ? btw ur are such an amazing KZbinr and ur videos truly helped me A LOT.

[@anaklusmus]

And do i have to know all the content for a level maths and further maths before preparing for smc?

[@banana-ob8pf]

@@anaklusmus you really dont need to know any further maths, or even a lot of a level maths for the senior maths challenge. I did the SMC 2 months after joining sixth form and was fine so you have nothing to worry about.

[@j5studies344]

Loving the consistency Sam

[@manishbhojwani6479]

Thanks bro. Really helpful. Also as the paper pattern has changed for 2023. Will the same format apply?

[@meiyonnaiise]

Hey, lovely video. I was just wondering if you did 2 paragraphs that focused on different points, so 4 paragraphs of the main body including evaluation paragraphs? Or did you do 3 points?

[@SamHillman]

It really depended on what the question was like. Some questions I did more points if the points naturally had less detail. But I’d continually evaluate throughout as that’s how you get the top marks.

[@JO06]

when’s the next vid bro

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

When I get to college, I’ll be doing: .English Literature & Law (mixed) .Politics .Economics. I also did a business GCSE. I’m not going into the law side of things either, and I can research either way.

[@anonone500]

Bad idea, thats the 3 subjects im doing, unless you have a genuine interest in them subjects i recommend not too

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

@@anonone500 luckily I do and besides I’m not interested in any other subject.

[@kimberleygagliardi6027]

great advice thank you :)

[@jemimat637]

🙌

[@umarkashif1]

Hey Sam do you have any of your essay plans that you could share?

[@SamHillman]

Unfortunately not. I was looking for some to link in the video description, but unfortunately I saved them all on my sixth form google account. The account has now been deactivated so I’ve lost them.