00_README
AQA A-Level Economics Paper 3 (7136/3) — 2026
Predictions Pack
For the Thursday 4 June 2026 exam — Economic Principles and Issues
A complete revision pack with a comprehensive topic analysis, six full predicted papers, and
six AQA-style mark schemes. Built using nine years of past paper evidence (2017–2025) and
updated using the actual themes that appeared in the 2026 Paper 1 (11 May) and Paper 2
(18 May) exams.
What’s in this pack
# File What it is
00 00_README.md This file
01 01_TOPIC_ANALYSIS_AND_PREDICTIONS.md Comprehensive topic
analysis with ranked Tier 1–
4 predictions, updated post
P1 & P2
02 02_PREDICTED_PAPER_1_inflation.md Predicted Paper 1: UK
Inflation, Cost-of-Living &
Monetary Policy (top
prediction, ~55–60%)
03 03_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_1_inflation.md Full AQA-style mark scheme
for Paper 1
04 04_PREDICTED_PAPER_2_netzero.md Predicted Paper 2: UK
Net-Zero & Carbon Pricing
(~50%)
05 05_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_2_netzero.md Mark scheme for Paper 2
06 06_PREDICTED_PAPER_3_housing.md Predicted Paper 3: UK
Housing & Rental Crisis
(~40%)
07 07_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_3_housing.md Mark scheme for Paper 3
08 08_PREDICTED_PAPER_4_productivity.md Predicted Paper 4: UK
Productivity Puzzle &
Supply-Side Reform (~25–
30%)
09 09_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_4_productivity.md Mark scheme for Paper 4
10 10_PREDICTED_PAPER_5_AI.md Predicted Paper 5: AI,
Automation & the UK
Labour Market (~15%)
11 11_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_5_AI.md Mark scheme for Paper 5
12 12_PREDICTED_PAPER_6_pensions.md Predicted Paper 6:
Pensions, Ageing &
Intergenerational Fairness
(~20%)
13 13_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_6_pensions.md Mark scheme for Paper 6
Together the six papers cover roughly 85% of the probability space for what AQA will set
,on 4 June.
How to use this pack
Recommended revision schedule (10 days out from the exam)
Days 1–3: Read the topic analysis (Document 01). It explains exactly how AQA constructs
Paper 3 — three years of pattern data shows this matters more than topic-spotting.
Days 4–8: Sit predicted papers under timed conditions (2 hours each), then self-mark. -
Day 4: Paper 1 (Inflation) — highest priority - Day 5: Paper 2 (Net-Zero) — second priority
- Day 6: Paper 3 (Housing) — third priority - Day 7: Paper 4 (Productivity Puzzle) — strong
outside bet - Day 8: Skim Papers 5 (AI) and 6 (Pensions) — read mark schemes for
evaluation technique even if you don’t sit them in full
Day 9 (3 June): Light revision only. Re-read your 25-marker plans. Early night.
Exam day (4 June): - 30 mins Section A (30 MCQs, ~1 min each) - 15–20 mins Q31 (10-
marker) - 20–25 mins Q32 (15-marker) - 35–40 mins Q33 (25-marker) - 5–10 mins to check
Why this pack is different
Built on real evidence. Topic rankings come from a systematic analysis of every Paper 3
from 2017 to 2025, cross-referenced with what came up in the actual 2026 Paper 1 and
Paper 2 exams. Predictions for topics that have already been tested in this year’s earlier
papers have been downgraded; untouched topics have been upgraded.
Authentic AQA format. Each paper follows the official structure: 30 MCQs (Section A, 30
marks) + 10-marker + 15-marker + 25-marker (Section B, 50 marks) using four extracts (A,
B with quantitative data, C with analytical commentary, D as a news report). Mark schemes
use AQA’s Level 1–5 descriptors verbatim.
Synoptic by design. Each paper draws on the full A-level spec — micro structures, macro
frameworks, government intervention, market failure, data analysis, and evaluation.
Practising these is genuine exam prep, not just topic drilling.
Critical honesty notes
1. These predictions are probabilistic, not guarantees. Even the top pick is under
60% probability. AQA can and does pick less-likely topics. Don’t ignore the rest of the
spec.
2. Paper 3 is synoptic. It draws from the whole specification. Even if a prediction
misses, the techniques you practise (10/15/25-marker structure, data use, evaluation)
transfer to any topic.
3. Section A MCQs cover the entire spec. The MCQs in these predicted papers are
illustrative. Drill MCQ skills from past papers too.
4. The 2026 P3 paper has not been sat at the time of writing. Anything online
claiming to be it before 4 June is fake or leaked — ignore both.
Paper 3 technique reminders
Section A — MCQ tactics
No deduction for wrong answers → never leave any blank
, If stuck, eliminate two obvious wrong answers and guess between the remaining two
Write calculation working in the margin
Read every option before selecting
10-marker — “to what extent…”
Must include a supported final judgement
Quote data accurately (numbers and units)
Acknowledge limitations of the data — examiners explicitly reward this
3 well-developed issues beats 6 brief ones
15-marker — “explain…”
No evaluation. AO4 isn’t assessed here — anything evaluative is wasted time
Logical chains of reasoning with specific economic terminology
Diagrams where relevant, clearly labelled
Application to the extract / UK context
25-marker — “would you recommend… justify”
Must have a recommendation (no recommendation = max 13 marks)
Must evaluate (no evaluation = max 13 marks)
Structure: brief intro defining key terms → paragraphs developing arguments for and
against (analysis + evaluation in each) → supported conclusion justifying
recommendation
Use Extract D explicitly — that’s why it exists
Diagrams supporting analysis are credited
Good luck on 4 June. The exam rewards clear chains of reasoning, accurate use of data,
balanced evaluation, and a supported recommendation that explicitly addresses what’s
been asked.
— Compiled late May 2026 by EconomicsAStar
, 01_TOPIC_ANALYSIS_AND_PREDICTIONS
AQA A-Level Economics Paper 3 (7136/3) —
Comprehensive Topic Analysis & 2026 Predictions
Prepared for: Paper 3 — Economic Principles and Issues | Thursday 4 June 2026, AM, 2
hours, 80 marks Built on: All sat papers June 2017–June 2025, plus what came up in the
2026 Paper 1 (11 May) and Paper 2 (18 May) Last updated: Late May 2026
1. Paper 3 Structure (Confirmed)
Section Format Marks Suggested time
A 30 × MCQs covering 30 30 mins
whole spec (micro +
macro, quantitative
skills)
B Investigation based on 50 90 mins
4 extracts (A, B, C +
later D — a news
report)
→ Q31 10-marker: “To what 10 15–20 mins
extent, if at all, do the
data suggest…” — uses
one named extract
→ Q32 15-marker: “Explain…” 15 20–25 mins
— analysis only, no
evaluation
→ Q33 25-marker: “After 25 35–40 mins
considering Extract D…
would you
recommend… Justify
your recommendation”
Total 80 120 mins
The “report writing” element: The 25-marker frames you as an economist advising a
body (UK government, OPEC, Sri Lankan government, etc). The recommendation must be
supported, balanced, and tied back to extract D.
2. Complete sat-paper archive (2017–2025)
Every Paper 3 Section B context, with the actual questions asked. This is the core evidence
base for predictions.
June 2017 — UK Steel Industry
10-marker: UK manufacturing decline since 2003 (Extract B)
15-marker: Reasons relating to steel industry pricing/competition
25-marker: Government intervention to support UK steel industry
June 2018 — OPEC & Oil Markets
10-marker: Reliance on fossil fuels falling? (Extract C)
AQA A-Level Economics Paper 3 (7136/3) — 2026
Predictions Pack
For the Thursday 4 June 2026 exam — Economic Principles and Issues
A complete revision pack with a comprehensive topic analysis, six full predicted papers, and
six AQA-style mark schemes. Built using nine years of past paper evidence (2017–2025) and
updated using the actual themes that appeared in the 2026 Paper 1 (11 May) and Paper 2
(18 May) exams.
What’s in this pack
# File What it is
00 00_README.md This file
01 01_TOPIC_ANALYSIS_AND_PREDICTIONS.md Comprehensive topic
analysis with ranked Tier 1–
4 predictions, updated post
P1 & P2
02 02_PREDICTED_PAPER_1_inflation.md Predicted Paper 1: UK
Inflation, Cost-of-Living &
Monetary Policy (top
prediction, ~55–60%)
03 03_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_1_inflation.md Full AQA-style mark scheme
for Paper 1
04 04_PREDICTED_PAPER_2_netzero.md Predicted Paper 2: UK
Net-Zero & Carbon Pricing
(~50%)
05 05_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_2_netzero.md Mark scheme for Paper 2
06 06_PREDICTED_PAPER_3_housing.md Predicted Paper 3: UK
Housing & Rental Crisis
(~40%)
07 07_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_3_housing.md Mark scheme for Paper 3
08 08_PREDICTED_PAPER_4_productivity.md Predicted Paper 4: UK
Productivity Puzzle &
Supply-Side Reform (~25–
30%)
09 09_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_4_productivity.md Mark scheme for Paper 4
10 10_PREDICTED_PAPER_5_AI.md Predicted Paper 5: AI,
Automation & the UK
Labour Market (~15%)
11 11_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_5_AI.md Mark scheme for Paper 5
12 12_PREDICTED_PAPER_6_pensions.md Predicted Paper 6:
Pensions, Ageing &
Intergenerational Fairness
(~20%)
13 13_MARKSCHEME_PAPER_6_pensions.md Mark scheme for Paper 6
Together the six papers cover roughly 85% of the probability space for what AQA will set
,on 4 June.
How to use this pack
Recommended revision schedule (10 days out from the exam)
Days 1–3: Read the topic analysis (Document 01). It explains exactly how AQA constructs
Paper 3 — three years of pattern data shows this matters more than topic-spotting.
Days 4–8: Sit predicted papers under timed conditions (2 hours each), then self-mark. -
Day 4: Paper 1 (Inflation) — highest priority - Day 5: Paper 2 (Net-Zero) — second priority
- Day 6: Paper 3 (Housing) — third priority - Day 7: Paper 4 (Productivity Puzzle) — strong
outside bet - Day 8: Skim Papers 5 (AI) and 6 (Pensions) — read mark schemes for
evaluation technique even if you don’t sit them in full
Day 9 (3 June): Light revision only. Re-read your 25-marker plans. Early night.
Exam day (4 June): - 30 mins Section A (30 MCQs, ~1 min each) - 15–20 mins Q31 (10-
marker) - 20–25 mins Q32 (15-marker) - 35–40 mins Q33 (25-marker) - 5–10 mins to check
Why this pack is different
Built on real evidence. Topic rankings come from a systematic analysis of every Paper 3
from 2017 to 2025, cross-referenced with what came up in the actual 2026 Paper 1 and
Paper 2 exams. Predictions for topics that have already been tested in this year’s earlier
papers have been downgraded; untouched topics have been upgraded.
Authentic AQA format. Each paper follows the official structure: 30 MCQs (Section A, 30
marks) + 10-marker + 15-marker + 25-marker (Section B, 50 marks) using four extracts (A,
B with quantitative data, C with analytical commentary, D as a news report). Mark schemes
use AQA’s Level 1–5 descriptors verbatim.
Synoptic by design. Each paper draws on the full A-level spec — micro structures, macro
frameworks, government intervention, market failure, data analysis, and evaluation.
Practising these is genuine exam prep, not just topic drilling.
Critical honesty notes
1. These predictions are probabilistic, not guarantees. Even the top pick is under
60% probability. AQA can and does pick less-likely topics. Don’t ignore the rest of the
spec.
2. Paper 3 is synoptic. It draws from the whole specification. Even if a prediction
misses, the techniques you practise (10/15/25-marker structure, data use, evaluation)
transfer to any topic.
3. Section A MCQs cover the entire spec. The MCQs in these predicted papers are
illustrative. Drill MCQ skills from past papers too.
4. The 2026 P3 paper has not been sat at the time of writing. Anything online
claiming to be it before 4 June is fake or leaked — ignore both.
Paper 3 technique reminders
Section A — MCQ tactics
No deduction for wrong answers → never leave any blank
, If stuck, eliminate two obvious wrong answers and guess between the remaining two
Write calculation working in the margin
Read every option before selecting
10-marker — “to what extent…”
Must include a supported final judgement
Quote data accurately (numbers and units)
Acknowledge limitations of the data — examiners explicitly reward this
3 well-developed issues beats 6 brief ones
15-marker — “explain…”
No evaluation. AO4 isn’t assessed here — anything evaluative is wasted time
Logical chains of reasoning with specific economic terminology
Diagrams where relevant, clearly labelled
Application to the extract / UK context
25-marker — “would you recommend… justify”
Must have a recommendation (no recommendation = max 13 marks)
Must evaluate (no evaluation = max 13 marks)
Structure: brief intro defining key terms → paragraphs developing arguments for and
against (analysis + evaluation in each) → supported conclusion justifying
recommendation
Use Extract D explicitly — that’s why it exists
Diagrams supporting analysis are credited
Good luck on 4 June. The exam rewards clear chains of reasoning, accurate use of data,
balanced evaluation, and a supported recommendation that explicitly addresses what’s
been asked.
— Compiled late May 2026 by EconomicsAStar
, 01_TOPIC_ANALYSIS_AND_PREDICTIONS
AQA A-Level Economics Paper 3 (7136/3) —
Comprehensive Topic Analysis & 2026 Predictions
Prepared for: Paper 3 — Economic Principles and Issues | Thursday 4 June 2026, AM, 2
hours, 80 marks Built on: All sat papers June 2017–June 2025, plus what came up in the
2026 Paper 1 (11 May) and Paper 2 (18 May) Last updated: Late May 2026
1. Paper 3 Structure (Confirmed)
Section Format Marks Suggested time
A 30 × MCQs covering 30 30 mins
whole spec (micro +
macro, quantitative
skills)
B Investigation based on 50 90 mins
4 extracts (A, B, C +
later D — a news
report)
→ Q31 10-marker: “To what 10 15–20 mins
extent, if at all, do the
data suggest…” — uses
one named extract
→ Q32 15-marker: “Explain…” 15 20–25 mins
— analysis only, no
evaluation
→ Q33 25-marker: “After 25 35–40 mins
considering Extract D…
would you
recommend… Justify
your recommendation”
Total 80 120 mins
The “report writing” element: The 25-marker frames you as an economist advising a
body (UK government, OPEC, Sri Lankan government, etc). The recommendation must be
supported, balanced, and tied back to extract D.
2. Complete sat-paper archive (2017–2025)
Every Paper 3 Section B context, with the actual questions asked. This is the core evidence
base for predictions.
June 2017 — UK Steel Industry
10-marker: UK manufacturing decline since 2003 (Extract B)
15-marker: Reasons relating to steel industry pricing/competition
25-marker: Government intervention to support UK steel industry
June 2018 — OPEC & Oil Markets
10-marker: Reliance on fossil fuels falling? (Extract C)
