Written Exam (Leaving Cert Economics): Revision Notes
Written Exam
The Leaving Cert Economics written exam is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of economic concepts and their real-world applications. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate both sections of the exam effectively and maximise your performance.
Exam structure overview
The Economics written exam consists of two main sections that test different aspects of your economic knowledge. Understanding the structure and requirements of each section is crucial for effective time management and achieving your best possible grade.
Exam Format Overview:
- Total exam duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Total marks available: 400 marks
- Two main sections: Short questions (Section A) and Long questions (Section B)
Section A: Short questions (100 marks)
Overview and strategy
Section A contains 9 short questions worth a total of 100 marks (25% of your overall result). However, you are only required to answer 6 out of the 9 questions. This gives you flexibility to choose questions that play to your strengths, but it's advisable to attempt all 9 to maximise your potential marks.
Recent exam patterns show that the first 5 short questions are typically worth 16 marks each, while the remaining 4 questions are worth 17 marks each. Every mark counts towards your final grade, so strategic question selection is important.
Time management
Allocate approximately 30-40 minutes to Section A. This allows you to spend 4-5 minutes per question on average. If you encounter a particularly challenging question, move on and return to it at the end rather than losing valuable time.
Staying current with economic developments
The "here and now" of the economy is vital for success in the short questions. The exam tests not just theoretical knowledge but also your awareness of current economic events and trends. You need sufficient knowledge of recent developments to apply economic concepts to contemporary situations.
To stay up-to-date:
- Watch economic news for 20 minutes daily
- Read economic articles online regularly
- Track significant economic events and policy changes
- Pay attention to major developments like Brexit, housing crises, or policy announcements
Understanding question forms and command words
The State Examinations Commission uses various command words that require different types of responses. Understanding these terms prevents unnecessary confusion and helps you provide exactly what the examiner is looking for.
Common command words include:
- Outline: Provide a general description of the topic
- Define: Give a clear, precise meaning
- Describe: Provide detailed characteristics or features
- Explain: Show understanding by giving reasons or causes
- State: Give a direct, factual answer
- List: Provide a series of points
- Distinguish: Show the differences between concepts
- Discuss: Present different viewpoints or arguments
The SEE answer structure
For maximum marks in short questions, use the SEE method (State, Explain, Example):
- State your answer directly and clearly
- Explain the meaning or provide the definition
- Give an Example to illustrate your point
Worked Example: SEE Method
Question: "Give any one characteristic of Perfect Competition"
State: Many Sellers
Explain: In Perfect Competition, there are many sellers in the market who all sell their products at the same price, as they are "price-takers". No single firm can influence the market price. If they were to change their price, they would not make any money as the market is huge.
Example: Fruit and vegetable stalls in Moore Street, Dublin
Section B: Long questions (300 marks)
Overview and strategy
Section B is worth 75% of your overall exam and contains 8 questions in total. You are only expected to answer 4 of these questions, as there will not be enough time to attempt more. The questions are typically split 50/50 between microeconomics (first 4 questions) and macroeconomics (final 4 questions).
Each question is worth 75 marks and requires substantial analysis and explanation.
Question selection advice
Market Structures questions are highly recommended if they appear on the paper. The graphs and analysis involved can be worth 10-15% of the exam marks alone, and with practice, they become very manageable. Many students find the microeconomics section more straightforward than the complex macroeconomic topics.
Past examination papers
Reviewing past exam papers is crucial for success. Some questions may appear that cannot be fully answered using only the textbook. In such cases:
- Consult your teacher for guidance
- Use online resources for additional information
- Focus on understanding the underlying economic principles
Past papers are invaluable during your revision period, helping you identify question patterns and practice your timing.
Time management for long questions
Time Allocation Strategy:
Allocate 30 minutes per question in Section B. With 4 questions to complete, this uses 2 hours, leaving 30 minutes for Section A - a well-balanced approach.
Break down your time as follows:
- 30 minutes for short questions
- 30 minutes × 4 = 2 hours for long questions
- Total: 2 hours 30 minutes
Answer structure and organisation
Use the same SEE principle as short questions, but extend your responses to match the marks available:
- State your main points clearly in topic sentences
- Explain your analysis in detail with economic reasoning
- Provide examples relevant to the Irish economy where possible
Additional structuring tips:
- Start each new question on a fresh page
- Do your strongest question first to build confidence
- Use clear headings and subheadings
- Write in paragraphs, not essay-style prose
- Include relevant diagrams with clear labels
Key topic areas
Microeconomics focuses on:
- The Consumer and consumer behaviour
- Land as a factor of production
- Supply & Demand analysis
- Labour markets and wage determination
- Elasticity concepts and calculations
- Capital and investment
- Equilibrium analysis
- Enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Cost of Production
- Market Structures (Perfect Competition, Monopoly, etc.)
Macroeconomics focuses on:
- Inflation and price stability
- Economic Policies & Policy Conflicts
- National Income measurement and analysis
- Economic Growth & Development
- Employment and unemployment
- Government and The Economy
- Money & Banking systems
- Taxation policies and effects
- International Trade
- Schools of Economic Thought
Preparing for topical questions
Expect topical questions related to current economic issues. These questions test your ability to apply economic theory to recent events. You should be prepared to discuss contemporary issues in economic terms, typically requiring 3-4 pages of analysis (around 25 marks worth).
Recent examples of topical issues:
- Brexit and its economic implications
- Housing market developments
- COVID-19 economic impacts
- Climate change and economic policy
- Digital economy developments
General exam strategies
During the examination
Question analysis:
- Underline key words in questions and re-read multiple times
- Use clear titles and state them prominently
- Highlight headings in different colours to make them stand out
- Label all diagrams clearly with appropriate titles and axis labels
Writing technique:
- Write clearly - illegible answers cannot be marked
- Use bullet points and paragraphs rather than essay-style writing
- Leave no blanks - you cannot earn marks for unanswered questions
- Attempt everything - partial credit is often available
Time management:
- Give examples frequently, even when not explicitly requested
- Remember to write your exam number on all booklets
- Note extra points on spare pages at the end for additional marks
- Stay until the end - use every available minute to review and add content
Marking and grade optimisation
Strategic marking approach: Plan your response length based on marks available. For a 30-mark question, aim for approximately 6 substantial points (5 marks each). However, for questions asking for advantages and disadvantages, provide balanced coverage even if it seems like more points than marks suggest.
Major topics that frequently appear include:
- Market Structures (Perfect Competition, Imperfect Competition, Monopoly, Oligopoly)
- Supply & Demand analysis
- Factors of Production (Land, Labour, Capital, Enterprise)
- Elasticity calculations and applications
- Economic thinkers and their contributions to economic theory
Avoiding common mistakes
Don't focus on predictions - the State Examinations Commission has made the Leaving Cert increasingly unpredictable in recent years. Instead of trying to guess what will appear, ensure comprehensive preparation across all topics.
Time awareness - Bring a watch if no clocks are visible in the exam centre. Poor time management can severely impact performance, so monitor your progress throughout the exam.
Effective study strategies
Study environment and timing
Study early in the day for maximum effectiveness. Morning study sessions when you're fresh and alert are far more productive than late-night cramming. You can accomplish more work in less time when your mind is clear and focused.
Eliminate distractions by putting your phone on aeroplane mode while studying. This prevents interruptions from texts, calls, and social media that can break your concentration.
Active learning techniques
Memory Enhancement Techniques:
Acronyms: Create memorable abbreviations using the first letter of key concepts. For example, remember the features of an Economic Good with PUT - it has a Price, provides Utility, and is Transferable.
Write it down: Research shows you remember up to 75% of what you engage with actively. Taking notes by hand reinforces learning and improves memory retention.
Teach others: Test your understanding by explaining economic concepts to classmates or family members. If you can teach it clearly, you understand it well. If you struggle to explain a concept, you need to study it further.
Regular repetition: Instead of one intensive study session per topic, revise everything regularly on a weekly basis. This spaced repetition improves retention and concentration over time.
Maintaining motivation
Positive Mindset Strategies:
F.A.I.L. mindset: Remember that if you don't succeed initially, F.A.I.L. stands for "First Attempt In Learning". Every challenge is an opportunity to improve your understanding.
Stay positive: Everyone learns differently, so find the study techniques that work best for your learning style. Experiment with different approaches until you find your optimal method.
Holistic wellness: Stay hydrated, get regular exercise, and take frequent breaks. Study in manageable chunks (chapter-by-chapter) rather than attempting everything at once. This sustainable approach leads to better long-term results.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Time management is crucial - allocate 30-40 minutes to Section A and 30 minutes per question in Section B
- Use the SEE structure (State, Explain, Example) for both short and long questions to maximise your marks
- Stay current with economic developments - the exam tests your knowledge of contemporary economic issues as well as theory
- Choose your questions strategically - you don't have to answer everything, so focus on your strengths
- Practice with past papers regularly - this is the best way to understand question formats and improve your timing