AMELIBRARY

Mastering Economics: Cambridge International AS & A Level (9708)

James Maritz By James Maritz

Exam Series: 2026, 2027, and 2028 Level: AS & A Level

Course Overview

Welcome to a comprehensive online journey into the world of economics. This course is meticulously designed to prepare students for the Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics (9708) examinations for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 series.

Whether you are aiming for a career in finance, business, or public policy, or simply wish to understand the forces that shape our world, this course provides a strong platform for success in higher education and beyond. We move beyond simple theory to help you develop the “habit of using works of reference” and reading critically to understand wider economic and social changes.

What You Will Learn

This course is divided into two distinct stages—AS Level (fundamental principles) and A Level (advanced application)—covering both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics in depth.

Part 1: AS Level – The Foundations

  • Basic Economic Ideas: Explore the fundamental problem of scarcity and choice, the factors of production, and how different economic systems allocate resources.

  • The Price System (Microeconomics): Master the mechanics of demand and supply curves, elasticity, and market equilibrium. Learn to calculate consumer and producer surplus and understand the functions of price.

  • Government Micro Intervention: Analyze why markets fail (public goods, externalities) and evaluate government interventions like taxes, subsidies, and price controls .

  • The Macroeconomy: Understand key indicators like National Income, Aggregate Demand (AD) and Aggregate Supply (AS), inflation, and unemployment.

  • International Issues: Investigate the reasons for international trade, the impact of protectionism, and the balance of payments.

Part 2: A Level – Advanced Analysis

  • Advanced Microeconomics: Dive deeper into consumer behavior (utility theory, indifference curves), production costs, and market structures (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly).

  • Labor Markets: Understand wage determination, the demand for labor, and the role of trade unions and government in labor markets.

  • Advanced Macroeconomics: Study the circular flow of income in complex economies, the money supply, banking, and the cyclical nature of economic growth.

  • Economic Development & Globalization: Examine the characteristics of developing countries, the role of international aid and multinational companies, and the intricacies of globalization.

Key Skills You Will Develop

According to the Cambridge syllabus, successful students will develop abilities valued highly by universities. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Knowledge & Understanding: Recall facts, formulae, and definitions while demonstrating a deep understanding of economic principles .

  • Analysis: Select, interpret, and organize economic data to recognize patterns, causes, and effects .

  • Evaluation: Critically assess economic information, recognize the limitations of models, and form reasoned judgments based on evidence .

The “Key Concepts” Approach

This course is built around the seven “Key Concepts” identified by Cambridge International to ensure deep learning:

  1. Scarcity and Choice: The fundamental problem of unlimited wants vs. limited resources.

  2. The Margin and Decision-Making: How choices are made based on small changes (the margin).

  3. Equilibrium and Disequilibrium: How markets move toward or away from balance.

  4. Time: How economic conditions and responses change over short and long runs.

  5. Efficiency and Inefficiency: How well scarce resources are utilized.

  6. The Role of Government: The trade-off between market freedom and social equity.

  7. Progress and Development: Measuring societal progress beyond just money terms.

Assessment Preparation

We prepare you effectively for all four examination papers:

  • Paper 1 (AS): Multiple Choice (30 questions) – 1 hour.

  • Paper 2 (AS): Data Response and Essays – 2 hours.

  • Paper 3 (A Level): Multiple Choice (30 questions) – 1 hour 15 minutes.

  • Paper 4 (A Level): Data Response and Essays – 2 hours.

Note: There are three routes for assessment: taking AS only, taking A Level in stages (AS in Year 1, A2 in Year 2), or taking all papers in one series.

Prerequisites

  • It is recommended that learners have completed a course in mathematics equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE or O Level to handle the quantitative aspects of the course.

  • No prior study of economics is strictly required, though helpful.