A Level Economics: The 25 mark questio

[blippineck]

DC is in yr 13. He's aiming for an A in Economics to meet the grade boundary of the most aspirational of his 5 uni choices. He got a high B in his Year 12 mock. He was let down by his answers to the longer questions, including the 25 mark question. Homework feedback from his teacher has been vague - along the lines of "it's fine, but it doesn't feel like level 3". The past paper marking schemes are also more subjective than his other subjects (which are maths, further maths and physics). I've offered to get him an Uplearn subscription, but he thinks it won't be helpful for the longer questions, and he is already confident for the shorter questions. Are there any suggestions of resources that might help?

I suspect the answer may just be "read around the subject" to develop his level of insight and use of economic language. But I live in hope of finding something that might appeal to his more lean and strategic approach to learning. (He's a future engineer at heart, and economics hasn't really inspired him).

I think the key is logical analysis and application. Tutor2u are great at giving tips and econplusdal has useful ideas in structure. Both are on YouTube. Your son can see answers on the examiners reports if he is an Edexcel student at least that can be helpful. You can also buy books of model answers. They tend to be more than I would expect a student to write in exam conditions but are a good level to aim and and get ideas from.

There are lots of good YouTube tutors but mainly explaining knowledge. Tutor2U is helpful too.

He has 4 A levels. Can he not drop economics?

Maths, Further Maths and Physics may be 3 A levels, but its only 2 subjects. If he gets a B (which is still a good grade) he will still benefit from having the knowledge. School is about more than just grades.

In any case, B will be fine for four of his uni applications, just more risky for the most aspirational choice which wants either Astar, A, A, A or Astar, Astar, A.

Well, that's me told.

Sorry, it wasn't meant crossly - I was just answering your question.

For that one aspirational option (Imperial), dropping an A level wouldn't help him, and a B in a fourth A level is irrelevant to the others because they only care about 3 of them.

Also, his school would only let him drop FM, not Economics, and FM is more useful for engineering.

Fair enough!

Have you thought about a few tutor sessions with someone focussed on a level technique?

Also I promise I’m not on commission (I’m an Econ teacher). But Econplusdal is great. If you go to his website he offers an essay marking service. econplusdal.com/services. Might be worth a look

Thanks for this recommendation. DS had already seen some of the videos. He likes the look of the Analysis & Evaluation books on the website. I took a sharp intake of breath when I saw the price, but they're cheaper than UpLearn so I've taken the plunge. Hopefully we can sell them on after the exam. 😁

Interested in opinions about the package ‘Up learn’
My DH & I are in ‘loco parentis’ for our friend’s son ( Y12). His subjects are Maths, Chemistry & Biology. He did very well in his GCSEs considering English is not his first language ( it’s Mandarin) but he sees himself as being ‘more British now’.
My husband & I are both teachers ( well I’m ‘retired’) - we feel that the school has really pushed this package and not sure it’s been the best way forward for his style of learning. Not all the students have the package.
My question :🙋🏼‍♀️ has anyone had any experience with it? Best way to use it? I’ve had a look at the maths - and must say the first tutorial was a real put off! ( this was one of my subjects).
Any help/advice really appreciated
PS reaching out as he’s found the leap from GCSE huge and all this ‘independent study’ hard to organise.
TIA

@janeece you'd be better off starting your own thread with UpLearn in the title. This thread is about Economics.

My son only did the 3 day uplearn trial for Economics and didn't like it, but others swear by it. I think he didn't like it because it was starting with the basics, which he was well beyond by that point, so maybe it would have got better as it learned where his gaps were.

Many thanks for the feedback. I’ve since looked at Trustpilot and that’s been enlightening- not in a good way. I then had a look at some of the maths and found it very ‘clunky’ - a lot of ‘rote learning’ - filling in blanks for explanations that would not make a lot of sense if you didn’t teach maths! So I’m not impressed. I’m working with teachers by emailing individually.
thanks again for your reply.