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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Thursday 4 June 2026
Summer 2026
Morning (Time: 2 hours) Paper
reference 9EC0/03
Economics A
Advanced
PAPER 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
You must have: Total Marks
Source Booklet (enclosed)
GCE A LEVEL in Economics A
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen. 9EC0_03 Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number.
•• There are two sections in this question paper.
In Section A, answer all questions 1(a) to and one question from 1(d) or 1(e).
•• InAnswer
Section B, answer all questions 2(a) to 2 and one question from 2(d) or 2(e).
the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 100.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
• Calculators may be used.
Advice
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
P79937APearson Education Ltd.
P:1/1/1/1/1/1
*P79937A0132*
, Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
SECTION A
Read Figures 1 and 2 and Extracts A and B in the Source Booklet
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before answering Question 1. Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
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Answer ALL Questions 1(a) to 1 , and EITHER Question 1(d) OR 1(e).
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Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
1 (a) Explain what is meant by a change in the rate of labour market inactivity. Refer
contact us page at
to Figure 1 and Extract A in your answer.
(5)
(b) Examine two likely effects of high rates of inflation in the UK economy.
(8)
Assess the effect of rising UK minimum wages on firms. Use a cost and revenue
diagram in your answer. Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
(12)
EITHER Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of
(d) Evaluate the microeconomic and macroeconomic policies that could be used to people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years,
tackle labour market immobility in the UK.
(25) and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
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OR in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
(e) Evaluate the microeconomic and macroeconomic effects of a significant decrease
in the rate of interest in the UK.
(25)
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79937A
Publication Code 9EC0_03_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
2
*P79937A0232*
, General Marking Guidance
(a) Explain what is meant by a change in the rate of labour market inactivity. Refer
to Figure 1 and Extract A in your answer. • All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
(5)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
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for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
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• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
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• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
used appropriately.
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• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
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should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
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• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
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• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
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with an alternative response.
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3
*P79937A0332* Turn over
, Question Answer Mark
(b) Examine two likely effects of high rates of inflation in the UK economy.
(8) Number
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1(a) Knowledge 2, Application 2, Analysis 1
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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Knowledge and analysis:
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3 marks for explaining the meaning of inactivity, e.g.
• not employed and not actively seeking work (2)
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• of working age but not in workforce (1)
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• unable/not willing to work (1)
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• linked development, e.g. impact on the labour
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supply/inefficient allocation/opportunity cost (1)
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• reference to the change in inactivity (this can be
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NB - do not award a mark for reference to person being
unemployed if the person is wanting to work
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Application:
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correct use of data (1)
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• Extract A – ill health 2.1m to 2.8m / full time
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retirement (1+1) (5)
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NB for 2 application (ap) marks there must be a valid
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