Frequently Asked Questions

A. Schools and colleges that want to teach the two year A Level course can start teaching the AS units from September 2008 and the A2 units from September 2009. Schools and colleges that want to teach the whole A Level course in one year should begin teaching in September 2009.

A. The AS examinations will be available in the January and Summer series of 2009. All the AS and A2 examinations will be available in each January and Summer series from 2010 onwards.

A. AS qualifications will be awarded on a five-grade scale: A – E. A Level qualifications will be awarded on a six-grade scale: A*, A, B, C, D and E. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for a Grade E will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive a certificate.

A. The material for the AS data response questions will be shorter and normally involve a single source. The A2 case studies will be longer and normally involve several sources on a particular economic theme or issue.

The AS data response questions will be more structured whereas the A2 case study questions will have fewer, more open-ended questions with greater emphasis on analysis and evaluation.

A. Both the AS and A2 essay questions will by accompanied by short stimulus ‘headlines.’ However, the AS essay questions will be more structured and usually involve three part-questions. The A2 essay questions will be two-part questions. The A2 questions will place more emphasis on analysis and evaluation.

A. Courses based on this specification can provide assessment evidence for nationally-specified Key Skills Level 3 in:

• Application of Number;
• Communication;
• Information Technology;
• Improving Own Learning Performance;
• Working with Others; and
• Problem Solving.