Mark Scheme (Results)
Summer 2026
GCE A LEVEL in Economics A
9EC0_03 Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
for more:
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at or .
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
contact us page at
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
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
people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years,
and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation
in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79937A
Publication Code 9EC0_03_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
for more:
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
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.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
with an alternative response.
for more:
, Question Answer Mark
Number
1(a) Knowledge 2, Application 2, Analysis 1
Knowledge and analysis:
3 marks for explaining the meaning of inactivity, e.g.
• not employed and not actively seeking work (2)
• of working age but not in workforce (1)
• unable/not willing to work (1)
• linked development, e.g. impact on the labour
market e.g. - shortages/lower labour
supply/inefficient allocation/opportunity cost (1)
• reference to the change in inactivity (this can be
awarded as analysis OR application) (1)
NB - do not award a mark for reference to person being
unemployed if the person is wanting to work
Application:
• marks for data (1 trend + 1 data reference):
• Identification of trend in inactivity rate (1) with
correct use of data (1)
• Extract A – ill health 2.1m to 2.8m / full time
education / dependency responsibilities / early
retirement (1+1) (5)
NB for 2 application (ap) marks there must be a valid
reference to Figure 1 and/or Extract A
for more:
Summer 2026
GCE A LEVEL in Economics A
9EC0_03 Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
for more:
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at or .
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
contact us page at
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
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
people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years,
and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation
in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79937A
Publication Code 9EC0_03_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
for more:
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
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.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
with an alternative response.
for more:
, Question Answer Mark
Number
1(a) Knowledge 2, Application 2, Analysis 1
Knowledge and analysis:
3 marks for explaining the meaning of inactivity, e.g.
• not employed and not actively seeking work (2)
• of working age but not in workforce (1)
• unable/not willing to work (1)
• linked development, e.g. impact on the labour
market e.g. - shortages/lower labour
supply/inefficient allocation/opportunity cost (1)
• reference to the change in inactivity (this can be
awarded as analysis OR application) (1)
NB - do not award a mark for reference to person being
unemployed if the person is wanting to work
Application:
• marks for data (1 trend + 1 data reference):
• Identification of trend in inactivity rate (1) with
correct use of data (1)
• Extract A – ill health 2.1m to 2.8m / full time
education / dependency responsibilities / early
retirement (1+1) (5)
NB for 2 application (ap) marks there must be a valid
reference to Figure 1 and/or Extract A
for more:
