A-Level Economics (CAIE 9708)

Course Overview 课程介绍

CAIE 高级经济课程，含微观与宏观两大板块，强调图表分析。

A-Level Economics is a UK advanced secondary course split into AS (Year 1) and A2 (Year 2). It covers microeconomics (price mechanism, market failure, government intervention) and macroeconomics (national income, employment, inflation, trade, development), with strong emphasis on diagrammatic analysis, data interpretation and economic argumentation. A key subject for economics, finance, management, accounting and public policy.

Key Facts 基本信息

Exam Board (考试局)	CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education)
CAIE Code (代码)	9708
Duration (学制)	2 years (AS + A2)
Grading (评分)	A* - E (A* only for full A-Level)
Exam Structure (CAIE)	AS: Paper 1/2 · A2: Paper 3/4
Coursework (课程作业)	No coursework, all external exams

AS Syllabus AS 阶段章节

AS1. Basic Economic Problem and Resource Allocation

Basic economic problem and resource allocation, scarcity, opportunity cost, production possibility curve
AS2. The Price System and the Microeconomy

Price system and microeconomy, demand and supply, price elasticity, utility theory
AS3. Market Failure and Government Intervention

Market failure and government intervention, externalities, public goods, asymmetric information, taxes and subsidies
AS4. The Macroeconomy: Aggregate Demand and Supply

Macroeconomy: aggregate demand and supply, national income, multiplier, equilibrium
AS5. The Macroeconomy: Inflation and Unemployment

Macroeconomy: inflation and unemployment, causes and measurement of inflation, types of unemployment, Phillips curve
AS6. The Macroeconomy: Economic Growth and Living Standards

Macroeconomy: economic growth and living standards, actual and potential growth, sustainable development
AS7. The Macroeconomy: Money and Banking

Macroeconomy: money and banking, functions of money, interest rates, central bank
AS8. International Trade

International trade, comparative advantage, terms of trade, tariffs and quotas, current account
AS9. The Balance of Payments and Exchange Rates

Balance of payments and exchange rates, floating and fixed exchange rates, exchange rate determination, BoP equilibrium
AS10. Government Macroeconomic Policy Objectives

Government macroeconomic policy objectives, policy instruments, fiscal and monetary policy

A2 Syllabus A2 阶段章节

A211. The Price System and the Microeconomy (Advanced)

Price system and microeconomy (advanced), marginal utility, indifference curves, cost theory
A212. Market Structure and Competition

Market structure and competition, perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition, pricing strategies
A213. Government Microeconomic Intervention (Advanced)

Government microeconomic intervention (advanced), price controls, regulation and privatisation, income redistribution
A214. The Macroeconomy (Advanced): AD-AS Analysis

Macroeconomy (advanced): AD-AS analysis, short-run and long-run aggregate supply, economic shocks
A215. Government Macroeconomic Policy (Advanced)

Government macroeconomic policy (advanced), fiscal and monetary policy, supply-side policy, policy conflicts
A216. International Trade (Advanced)

International trade (advanced), arguments for trade protection, regional trade agreements, WTO
A217. Exchange Rates and Balance of Payments (Advanced)

Exchange rates and balance of payments (advanced), Marshall-Lerner condition, J-curve, exchange rate policy
A218. Economic Development

Economic development, development indicators, barriers to development, development strategies, poverty trap
A219. Growth, Development and Sustainability

Growth, development and sustainability, resource and environmental constraints, equity and efficiency, globalisation
A220. Globalisation and International Economic Integration

Globalisation and international economic integration, multinational corporations, capital flows, integration effects

Exam Structure (CAIE 9708) 考试结构

Paper 1	AS Multiple Choice · 1h · 30% of AS / 15% of A-Level
Paper 2	AS Data Response and Essay · 1h30m · 70% of AS / 35% of A-Level
Paper 3	A2 Multiple Choice · 1h · 15% of A-Level
Paper 4	A2 Data Response and Essay · 2h · 35% of A-Level

Suitable Majors 适用专业与衔接

经济、金融、管理等专业基础科目，培养数据分析与论证能力。

A-Level Economics is a key subject for economics, finance, accounting, business administration, public policy, international relations, politics and sociology. Most UK economics and finance programmes recommend or require A-Level Economics. It provides solid prerequisite knowledge for university microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and develops data analysis and argumentation skills.