AQA vs Edexcel A-Level Economics: what is actually different

Short answer: AQA and Pearson Edexcel teach very similar economics, and both use three two-hour papers. The difference is how they test it. AQA's papers are built around data response and essays, with a choice of questions. Edexcel's papers add multiple choice and short-answer questions to Papers 1 and 2, and most of each paper is compulsory [1].

So the content you learn barely changes between boards. The exam technique you practise should.

The papers side by side

Source: AQA's own comparison of the two specifications [1].

Where the marks sit: question types

AQA

• Papers 1 and 2: Section A is data response. You choose one of two contexts, worth 40 marks. Section B is essays. You choose one of three, worth 40 marks [1][2].
• Inside each data response, the questions are worth 2, 4, 9 and 25 marks. Each essay has a 15-mark part and a 25-mark part [3].
• Paper 3: 30 marks of multiple choice, then a 50-mark case study with written answers [1].

Edexcel

• Papers 1 and 2: Section A is multiple choice and short-answer questions (25 marks, all compulsory). Section B is data response (50 marks, all compulsory). Section C is one extended open-response question, chosen from two (25 marks) [1].
• Paper 3: two sections. Each has a data response (25 marks, compulsory) and an open-response question chosen from two (25 marks) [1].

How the content is organised

AQA numbers its A-Level content in two blocks: individuals, firms, markets and market failure (4.1), and the national and international economy (4.2) [2]. Edexcel uses four themes [4]:

1. Introduction to markets and market failure
2. The UK economy: performance and policies
3. Business behaviour and the labour market
4. A global perspective

Edexcel's Paper 1 draws on Themes 1 and 3. Paper 2 draws on Themes 2 and 4 [1]. Topic by topic, the overlap is large. Our specification map shows every topic with its AQA and Edexcel reference side by side.

What this means for revision

If you take AQA

• Practise choosing. You choose a context and an essay. Decide in the first two minutes, using one test: which question can you evaluate, not just explain?
• The 25-mark questions carry the paper. Each of Papers 1 and 2 has two of them: one in the data response and one in the essay. That is 50 of the 80 marks [3].
• Paper 3 rewards range. Its multiple choice can test any topic, so gaps cost you here first.

If you take Edexcel

• Train speed and precision. Section A rewards fast, exact definitions and short calculations.
• There is less choice. Most of each paper is compulsory, so you cannot avoid a weak topic. Revise every theme.
• Use the extracts. Data response is worth 50 marks on Papers 1 and 2 [1]. Quoting and using the data is where application marks come from.