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Unit 4 exam technique

Edexcel IAL Economics · WEC14 Developments in the Global Economy

WEC14 is a 2-hour, 80-mark paper. Knowing how the marks are awarded is worth a grade. This lesson explains the structure, the command words and how to write top-level evaluation.

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Paper structure

Section A: six multiple-choice questions, 1 mark each (6 marks). The mark is for the correct letter only.
Section B: one data response question in five parts, based on a source booklet (34 marks).
Section C: two 20-mark essays from a choice of three (40 marks).

Calculators are allowed and questions test quantitative skills (percentages, index numbers, terms of trade, reading charts).

Section B part (October 2023)	Command word	Marks	Skills
(a)	Calculate	2	Application
(b)	Explain	4	Knowledge 2, application 2
(c)	Examine	8	K 2, A 2, analysis 2, evaluation 2
(d)	Analyse	6	K 2, A 2, analysis 2
(e)	Discuss	14	KAA 8, evaluation 6

Mark allocations from the October 2023 WEC14 mark scheme

Calculations

Show the formula and working, give units and the requested precision. In the October 2023 mark scheme, a 2-mark percentage calculation gave only 1 mark to an answer written in billions instead of as a percentage. Use the extract's data exactly.

Essays: 12 marks KAA + 8 marks evaluation

Top-level KAA (10 to 12 marks) needs 'logical and multi-stage chains of reasoning' applied to the context. Top-level evaluation (7 to 8 marks) 'recognises different viewpoints and/or is critical of the evidence, leading to an informed judgement'.

Plan each paragraph: point (define), chain (because... which leads to... so...), diagram where useful (label axes, curves and shifts), context (country, data), then evaluate.

Good evaluation: magnitude (how big?), time (short run versus long run), it depends on (elasticities, spare capacity, size of deficit), the most significant factor and why, alternative views, and the reliability of evidence. Finish with a justified conclusion that answers the question.

Timing

About 1.5 minutes per mark: Section A about 8 minutes, Section B about 50 minutes, each essay about 30 minutes. Read the source booklet once quickly before starting Section B. Do not spend longer on a 2-mark calculation than it is worth.

Worked example

Plan a 20-mark answer to 'Evaluate factors that might cause a country's terms of trade to worsen' (October 2023).

Define the terms of trade with the formula.
KAA: explain 2 or 3 factors with chains: a fall in world commodity prices for a primary exporter; a depreciation; faster productivity growth or lower inflation than partners; use the Prebisch-Singer hypothesis.
Evaluation: which is most significant for this kind of economy; short run versus long run; whether the cause makes the deterioration harmful (productivity-led falls may raise competitiveness); depends on elasticities.
Conclude with a justified judgement.

Answer: Definition, 2 to 3 analysed factors with context, evaluation of each, and a supported conclusion.

Key idea: 80 marks in 2 hours: 6 MCQ, a 34-mark data response, two 20-mark essays (12 KAA + 8 evaluation). Show working with correct units. Build multi-stage chains of reasoning, use context, and evaluate with magnitude, time, conditions and a justified judgement.

Check yourself

How many marks are there in total on the WEC14 paper?
Show answer
80. 6 + 34 + 40 = 80.
The paper lasts 120 minutes for 80 marks. How many minutes per mark is that?
Show answer
1.5 minutes. 120 / 80 = 1.5 minutes per mark.
A 20-mark essay is allowed 1.5 minutes per mark. How many minutes should it take?
Show answer
30 minutes. 20 x 1.5 = 30 minutes.
How are the 20 marks for a Section C essay divided?
- 10 and 10
- 12 for knowledge, application and analysis; 8 for evaluation
- 20 for evaluation
- 8 for knowledge; 12 for evaluation
Show answer
12 for knowledge, application and analysis; 8 for evaluation. The mark scheme gives 12 KAA marks and 8 evaluation marks.
Which is the strongest evaluative comment?
- There are advantages and disadvantages
- It depends
- This might be good or bad for the economy
- A depreciation will improve the current account only if the Marshall-Lerner condition holds, which is unlikely in the short run because of the J-curve
Show answer
A depreciation will improve the current account only if the Marshall-Lerner condition holds, which is unlikely in the short run because of the J-curve. It explains the condition and the time dimension and links them to the question.
What does a 'multi-stage chain of reasoning' mean in a WEC14 answer?
Show answer
Linking several steps of cause and effect, for example: a fall in interest rates causes the currency to depreciate, so exports become cheaper, so export demand rises, which increases AD and output.. Each step must follow logically from the last.
What should a good essay conclusion include?
Show answer
A justified judgement that answers the question directly, identifying the most significant factor or the conditions under which the argument holds, supported by the analysis and context.. Conclusions are judgements, not summaries.

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Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.