Edexcel International A-level Economics: Command words and keywords

Pearson Edexcel International A-level Economics uses the command words defined in the specification. Extended questions use levels-based marking. A-level expects more depth and application to unfamiliar data.

Command words

Command word	What to do	Common mistake
State	Recall; short answer	Overwriting
Define	Precise economic meaning	Vague
Describe	What the data shows	Adding explanation
Explain	Why/how; use “because”	Only describing
Suggest	Apply to context	Textbook recall
Compare	Similarities and differences	Listing separately
Assess	Judge importance; conclude	Description only
Evaluate	Judge; conclude with evidence	No conclusion
Discuss	Explore aspects; conclude	One-sided
Analyse	Break down; show relationships	Only describing
Justify	Support with evidence	Unsupported
Calculate	Work out; show working	Missing working

Economic keywords

Microeconomics

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Opportunity cost	Next best alternative forgone	”Cost”
Elasticity	Responsiveness	”Sensitive”
Marginal	Additional	”Extra”
Consumer surplus	Below demand, above price	”Benefit”
Producer surplus	Above supply, below price	”Profit”
Externalities	Third-party effects	”Effects”
Public good	Non-excludable; non-rival	”Government”
Monopoly	One seller	”Big company”
Allocative efficiency	P = MC	”Efficiency”
Productive efficiency	Minimum ATC	Allocative

Macroeconomics

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
GDP	Gross Domestic Product	”Wealth”
Real GDP	Adjusted for inflation	Nominal
Inflation	Rising price level	”Expensive”
Unemployment	Seeking work but without jobs	”Jobless”
Fiscal policy	Government spending/taxation	Monetary
Monetary policy	Interest rates; money supply	Fiscal
Aggregate demand	Total demand	”Demand”
Exchange rate	Price of currency	”Value”
Balance of payments	Record of transactions	Trade balance
Multiplier	Ratio of income change to injection	”Effect”

Tips for Edexcel A-level Economics

1. Define precisely
2. Use data when provided—quote figures
3. Reach a conclusion for Assess, Evaluate, Discuss
4. Show working in calculations
5. Past papers + mark schemes show acceptable wording

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Based on Pearson Edexcel International A-level Economics specification. Check the latest specification for your exam series.

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