GCE A/L Economics exam-day guide
GCE A/L Economics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission card or entry document (needs_review)
Confirm with the provider which document you must bring, whether a printed copy is required, and whether digital copies are accepted. Check that your name and paper details are correct before exam day.
Photo identification (needs_review)
Bring the ID type specified by the provider, with the same name as your entry. Confirm accepted forms and whether an expired ID is allowed; do not assume a student card will be accepted.
Black or blue pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, ruler
Bring at least two working pens plus a pencil and ruler for diagrams. Confirm the permitted ink colour and whether correction fluid or tape is allowed before relying on it.
Non-programmable calculator (needs_review)
Economics papers may or may not permit calculators, and permitted models vary. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which model is approved; do not bring a programmable or graphing calculator unless explicitly permitted.
Simple wristwatch (needs_review)
A non-smart watch helps you pace long answers. Confirm that watches are allowed in the hall and that smartwatches are prohibited.
Clear water bottle
Bring a transparent bottle with no label if permitted. Confirm the provider's rules on drinks in the exam hall.
Clear pouch for stationery
Use a transparent pouch so invigilators can check your equipment quickly. Confirm whether any specific pouch or packaging rule applies.
Venue and seat details
Confirm the exact building, room, seat number if issued, and reporting time. Plan your route and a backup transport option; arriving at the wrong campus is a common avoidable error.
Printed timetable and exam instructions
Keep a copy of the paper timetable and any candidate instructions issued by the provider. Read the front-cover instructions carefully on the day rather than relying on memory.
One-page revision sheet (leave outside the hall)
Prepare a single sheet of key definitions and diagram labels. Use it only before you enter; notes must not be taken into the exam room.
Phone and smart devices left at home or securely stored
Do not carry a phone, smartwatch, or earbuds into the hall. Confirm the provider's storage arrangements if you must bring a phone for travel.
Plan the day
Confirm your admission card, ID, venue, reporting time, and permitted equipment with the provider. Resolve any uncertainty about calculators, watches, and ink colour now, not on the morning of the exam.
Complete one timed past paper or section under exam conditions. Focus on allocating minutes by mark weight and on the required number of questions, not on learning new content.
Pack your bag: pens, pencil, ruler, eraser, calculator if permitted, admission card, ID, water bottle, and a one-page revision sheet. Arrange transport and check the weather forecast.
Do 60–90 minutes of light revision only: diagram labelling, definitions, and command words. Prioritise supply and demand, elasticity, cost curves, market structures, externalities, AD/AS, multiplier, and trade diagrams.
Check calculator battery if permitted, test your pens, set two alarms, and confirm your travel plan. Avoid new topics, social media speculation about the paper, and late-night cramming.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the venue 30–45 minutes before the reporting time, or earlier if the provider requires registration checks. Keep your admission card and ID accessible.
Leave your phone and notes outside the hall. Skim only your one-page sheet; do not attempt to memorise new material in the final minutes.
Read the front-cover instructions and question count before writing. Allocate time in proportion to marks, answer the required number of questions, and start with your strongest question to settle your timing.
Label every diagram fully, show workings where marks are available, use economic terminology, and include evaluation where the command word requires it. Check your timing at roughly the halfway point and leave 5–10 minutes to review.
Rules to check
Bring the admission card and accepted photo ID. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and whether a printed admission card is mandatory.
Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices must not be in your possession in the hall. Confirm the provider's storage policy if you need a phone for travel.
Use a calculator only if the provider permits it, and only an approved model. If you are unsure, ask before exam day rather than risking confiscation.
Follow invigilator instructions on water, toilet breaks, and leaving the room. Confirm the provider's break policy in advance; do not assume breaks are allowed.
Answer only the required number of questions. Extra answers are usually not marked, but confirm the rubric on the front cover before choosing questions.
Diagrams must be clearly labelled and referred to in your answer. Unlabelled or unlabelled-axis diagrams may receive little or no credit.
Show workings and use correct economic terminology. Where the command word asks for evaluation, include a judgement rather than only description.
Maintain academic honesty: no notes, no communication with other candidates, and no unauthorised materials. Confirm any specific scoring or penalty rules with the provider.