Describe a Time When You Felt Awkward and Out of Place
Cambridge International Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary Level 9708 Economics November 2009 Principal Examiner Report for Teachers
ECONOMICS
Paper 9708/11 Multiple Choice (Core)
Question Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Key B B D C C A B C C A C C B D C
Question Number 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Key C C A C B C A C C D B B C A B
General Comments There were 4022 candidates with a mean score on this paper of 15.58. This was a fall from the corresponding exam last year in 2008 when the mean was 18.00. 11 candidates gained full marks. Three questions proved relatively easy i.e. more than 80% of the candidates chose the correct answer, and one proved relatively difficult i.e. less than 25% of the candidates chose the correct answer. Comments on specific questions There were four questions where more candidates selected the same incorrect option than picked the correct answer. In Question 10, the topic was consumer surplus and 39% (as against 37%) opted for B (as against the correct key A). The reasoning for A is that if the consumer buys the fourth drink the payment exactly matches the value placed on that good so consumer surplus will neither rise nor fall. The correct placing of a maximum price has often proved to be a difficult issue for some candidates. In Question 18, the common mistake of believing it will be effective if placed above the market equilibrium was made by 48% of candidates. These believed there would be a surplus in the market (option B). Only 31% realised that such a placing does not disturb the market equilibrium (option A). There is clearly a need for candidates to be able to distinguish between the analysis of maximum and minimum prices. In Question 21, 24% selected the correct key (C) and these were from among the stronger candidates. The selection of B by a greater percentage suggests the often seen confusion between the terms of trade and the balance of trade. A fall in the exchange rate would be expected to
ECONOMICS
Paper 9708/11 Multiple Choice (Core)
Question Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Key B B D C C A B C C A C C B D C
Question Number 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Key C C A C B C A C C D B B C A B
General Comments There were 4022 candidates with a mean score on this paper of 15.58. This was a fall from the corresponding exam last year in 2008 when the mean was 18.00. 11 candidates gained full marks. Three questions proved relatively easy i.e. more than 80% of the candidates chose the correct answer, and one proved relatively difficult i.e. less than 25% of the candidates chose the correct answer. Comments on specific questions There were four questions where more candidates selected the same incorrect option than picked the correct answer. In Question 10, the topic was consumer surplus and 39% (as against 37%) opted for B (as against the correct key A). The reasoning for A is that if the consumer buys the fourth drink the payment exactly matches the value placed on that good so consumer surplus will neither rise nor fall. The correct placing of a maximum price has often proved to be a difficult issue for some candidates. In Question 18, the common mistake of believing it will be effective if placed above the market equilibrium was made by 48% of candidates. These believed there would be a surplus in the market (option B). Only 31% realised that such a placing does not disturb the market equilibrium (option A). There is clearly a need for candidates to be able to distinguish between the analysis of maximum and minimum prices. In Question 21, 24% selected the correct key (C) and these were from among the stronger candidates. The selection of B by a greater percentage suggests the often seen confusion between the terms of trade and the balance of trade. A fall in the exchange rate would be expected to