In the GCE ‘A’ Level Economics examination, there is now less focus on assessing lower-order thinking skills such as basic knowledge and comprehension. To excel, students must demonstrate higher-order thinking skills, including application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, in their responses. Simply memorising and regurgitating lecture notes is insufficient for achieving top marks. Students are expected to explain current economic events using relevant economic principles, integrate concepts from different topics to construct coherent arguments, and reconcile conflicting ideas. Additionally, they must evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of various economic policies and present answers that are logical, clear, and concise, as examiners prioritise quality over quantity in essay responses.
Keeping up with current affairs is essential. Students should stay informed about global economic developments, with particular attention to the Singapore economy, through online sources and print media. Being able to reference up-to-date information and statistics in examination answers can significantly enhance performance.
Beyond awareness of current events, students must also be able to apply economic concepts accurately in context. The combination of strong knowledge, application skills, and evaluative thinking is crucial for achieving distinctions in the Economics examination.