Edexcel Economics A-Level Past Paper 25-marker Questions on Microeconomics

This article contains a list of all the 25-marker questions on microeconomics published by Edexcel in their A-Level Economics past papers. We put it together to make it easier to practice 25-marker questions, by far the most challenging question type on the Edexcel Economics test. You need to write a comprehensive answer to a question that includes detailed evaluations and analysis in order to score full marks on a 25-marker. Microeconomics 25-markers focus on questions of how businesses and individuals make economic decisions.

What is the Edexcel A-Level Economics test?

The Edexcel A-Level Economics test is an evaluation of economics ability used to help students get into economics courses at university. Students typically take the A-Level in economics in their final two years of university.

Edexcel is one of many exam boards offering an A-Level in Economics, with alternatives including AQA and CIE among others. Edexcel is a privately-owned company that is the largest provider of examinations in the UK, founded in 1996.

Where did we get these Edexcel Economics A-Level Past Paper Microeconomics 25-marker Questions?

We went through all the A-Level Economics past papers published by Edexcel in order to put together this list of 25-markers in microeconomics. Our goal is to make it easy to practice 25 markers without you having to go through all of Edexcel’s past papers in order to find them. You can find the answer key at the end of this page.

What is Microeconomics?

Microeconomics is the study of how individuals and consumers make decisions about which products to produce and buy. Microeconomics ideas covered by Edexcel include supply and demand, externalities, public goods, behavioural economics, and information gaps.

The difference between macroeconomics and microeconomics is that microeconomics is only interested in the individual behaviours of firms while macroeconomics looks at how many businesses interact at the national level, producing outcomes like inflation and economic growth.

How to answer Edexcel Microeconomics 25-markers?

Answer Edexcel Microeconomics 25-markers by writing four body paragraphs (two analyses and two evaluations) that answer directly the question you’ve been asked and which meet the criteria to score 4 knowledge points, 4 application points, 8 analysis points, and 9 evaluation points. The main difference between writing an Edexcel Economics 25-marker and a 12 or 8-marker is that you are expected to do more in each of the four marking criteria and should separate out your evaluation points from your analysis points so that you can develop them fully. You should also try to use diagrams whenever suitable in order to secure more analysis points and, where possible, introduce your own real-world examples to strengthen your arguments. You should treat your separate evaluation points as if they were analysis arguments and introduce evidence from the extracts and linked development (A → B → C) whenever possible. Edexcel 25-markers should include an introductory paragraph that offers core definitions as well as a conclusion or “final judgement” paragraph at the end that brings together your two evaluation paragraphs into an overall answer to the question you were asked.

How are Edexcel Microeconomics 25-markers graded?

All Edexcel Microeconomics 25-markers are marked based on whether you secure 4 knowledge points, 8 analysis points, 4 application points, and 9 evaluation points. You can secure 4 knowledge points by offering 2 relevant definitions and 2 factors that influence the answer to your question. Expect as a rough guide that each factor or definition will secure you 1 knowledge point and you are looking to rack up 4 in total. Introduce your definitions in your “introduction” paragraph. You can secure 8 analysis points by offering 4 instances of chained analysis. As you are looking for 4 analysis points within each argument, you will want to offer a more sophisticated chain of analysis than in an 8-marker. You can do this by offering three steps in your chain A→ B → C so that you not only explain the immediate cause of an outcome but also a further consequence of that outcome. For example, increasing cigarette prices will reduce consumption → this will reduce health risks → this will reduce the burden on the public healthcare system and/or increase worker productivity. Try to offer an example of chained analysis in each of your analysis paragraphs and each of your evaluation paragraphs for 4 total instances of chained analysis and 8 points in total. You can secure 4 application points by pulling 4 data points from the extracts that support your argument. For example, data on the number of cigarette-related health risks would support the argument about indirect taxes eliminating this externality. Finally, you can secure 9 evaluation points by fully explaining one counterargument for each of the two points you offer in your answer. These two points of evaluation should be given a full separate paragraph so you can dedicate enough space to explaining them completely. Look to include data points from the extracts or your own real-world examples where possible. You will also want to secure evaluation points in your conclusion or “final judgement.” You should offer a conclusion that brings together your two previous points of evaluation. A simple way to do this is to tell the marker which of your two arguments you find most compelling.

Question 1: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 November 2021 Paper 1

The national living wage, the minimum wage for 25-year-olds and over, is expected to rise to more than £10.50 an hour in 2024 compared with £8.72 in 2020. The wage does not apply to the UK’s self-employed and ‘gig economy’ workers.

Some economists said the increase was ambitious. Business groups warned that employers in sectors such as social care could be hit hard. In large parts of the north of England the living wage has already reached two-thirds of local median earnings, said Professor Shackleton.

Evaluate the disadvantages of a significant increase in the national living wage on a specific labour market, such as that for social care workers. (25 points)

Question 2: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 November 2021 Paper 1

In many industries, such as banking, health insurance, internet search engines, pharmaceuticals, social media and telecommunications, there have been increases in market concentration.

Evaluate the possible consequences for business decision-making of increased market concentration. Refer to the industries of your choice in your answer. (25 points)

Question 3: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 November 2020 Paper 1

The International Energy Agency has predicted that oil use by cars will peak in 2025 because of the increasing number of drivers switching to electric vehicles.

Evaluate the likely microeconomic consequences of consumers shifting from vehicles powered by fuel obtained from oil to electric-powered vehicles. (25 points)

Question 4: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 November 2020 Paper 1

‘Amazon.com, the giant online retailer, has too much power.’ It uses its market power to put a squeeze on publishers, in effect driving down the prices it pays for books. If a publisher refuses, Amazon may take action by ‘delaying their delivery, raising their prices, and steering customers to other publishers’.

Evaluate the likely costs of a monopsony operating in a market such as book retailing. (25 points)

Question 5: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 June 2019 Paper 1

In July 2017 it was announced that only a third of the BBC’s 96 top earning presenters were women and that its seven highest-paid presenters were all men.

According to the High Pay Centre, in 2018, UK chief executives can earn 120 times more than the average full-time worker earning £28 758.

With reference to an industry of your choice, evaluate why wage differences exist within the UK labour market.

Question 6: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 June 2019 Paper 1

In October 2017 Scania, the Volkswagen-owned truck maker, was fined €880 million (£771 million) by the European Commission for colluding with five other truck manufacturers over a 14-year period. The firms had agreed to coordinate prices after experiencing additional costs of meeting emission regulations. 

With reference to an industry of your choice, evaluate why some firms engage in collusive behaviour (25 points).

Question 7: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 June 2018 Paper 1

In September 2016 the government approved the building of an £18 billion nuclear power station, Hinkley Point C, which will supply 7% of UK electricity for up to 60 years. The power station is funded by Chinese and French investment. Evaluate the likely private costs and external costs involved in such major power station construction projects. Use an appropriate externalities diagram in your answer. (25 points)

Question 8: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 June 2018 Paper 1

In July 2016 Apple’s share of the UK market for smartphones was 38%. Evaluate whether such a high market share for one company is in the consumer interest. Use appropriate diagrammatic analysis in your answer. (25 points)

Question 9: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 June 2017 Paper 1

In 2015 a report by Public Health England recommended the imposition of a 20% tax on the sale of soft drinks that contain high levels of sugar. Evaluate the likely microeconomic effects of such a tax. (25 points)

Question 10: Edexcel A-Level Economics 9EC0 June 2017 Paper 1

Revenue maximisation is a more realistic business objective than profit maximisation for many businesses.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Refer to an industry of your choice in your answer. (25 points)