Readable syllabus overview and practice questions
Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics 9708
Examinations 2026–2028. Readable text and equivalent practice questions. Practice scores are not Cambridge grades.
1 · Economics 9708
Cambridge International AS & A Level
Economics 9708
Explore the topics you will study and the skills you will develop.
Examinations 2026–2028 · Syllabus Overview
2 · How the course is organised
AS Level: topics 1.1–6.5. Full A Level: all topics 1.1–11.6. Additional A Level content extends microeconomics, macroeconomics and international economics.
Use the syllabus for examinations 2026–2028. Confirm your examination year and any options with your centre.
3 · AS · Basic economic ideas and resource allocation · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.1 Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost
Explain choice when resources are limited.
1.2 Economic methodology
Understand how economists construct and evaluate explanations.
4 · AS · Basic economic ideas and resource allocation · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.3 Factors of production
Explore the resources used to produce goods and services.
5 · AS · Basic economic ideas and resource allocation · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.4 Resource allocation in different economic systems
Compare allocation through markets, planning and mixed systems.
1.5 Production possibility curves
Use models to show trade-offs and productive capacity.
6 · AS · Basic economic ideas and resource allocation · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.6 Classification of goods and services
Distinguish types of goods by their economic characteristics.
7 · AS · The price system and the microeconomy · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.1 Demand and supply curves
Explain buyers’ and sellers’ responses in markets.
2.2 Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
Measure how demand responds to prices and income.
8 · AS · The price system and the microeconomy · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.3 Price elasticity of supply
Measure how supply responds to price changes.
9 · AS · The price system and the microeconomy
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.4 The interaction of demand and supply
Explain equilibrium and changes in market outcomes.
2.5 Consumer and producer surplus
Explore benefits received by buyers and sellers.
10 · AS · Government microeconomic intervention · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
3.1 Reasons for government intervention in markets
Explain why unregulated markets may produce undesirable outcomes.
3.2 Methods and effects of government intervention in markets
Compare policy tools and their market effects.
11 · AS · Government microeconomic intervention · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
3.3 Addressing income and wealth inequality
Evaluate approaches to reducing unequal outcomes.
12 · AS · The macroeconomy · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.1 National income statistics
Interpret measures of national economic activity.
4.2 Introduction to the circular flow of income
Model flows between sectors of the economy.
13 · AS · The macroeconomy · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.3 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
Use aggregate models to explain output and price-level changes.
14 · AS · The macroeconomy · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.4 Economic growth
Explain growth and its effects.
4.5 Unemployment
Explore causes and consequences of unemployment.
15 · AS · The macroeconomy · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.6 Price stability
Consider inflation, deflation and stable prices.
16 · AS · Government macroeconomic intervention · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
5.1 Government macroeconomic policy objectives
Compare goals for the performance of an economy.
5.2 Fiscal policy
Explore government spending and taxation.
17 · AS · Government macroeconomic intervention · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
5.3 Monetary policy
Explore monetary tools and their economic effects.
18 · AS · Government macroeconomic intervention
Compulsory within this study stage.
5.4 Supply-side policy
Consider policies intended to improve productive performance.
19 · AS · International economic issues · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
6.1 The reasons for international trade
Explain why countries trade and how they may benefit.
6.2 Protectionism
Evaluate restrictions on international trade.
20 · AS · International economic issues · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
6.3 Current account of the balance of payments
Interpret flows recorded in the current account.
21 · AS · International economic issues
Compulsory within this study stage.
6.4 Exchange rates
Explain changes in currency values and their effects.
6.5 Policies to correct imbalances in the current account of the balance of payments
Compare responses to current-account imbalances.
22 · A Level additional · The price system and the microeconomy · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.1 Utility
Use satisfaction to explain consumer choice.
7.2 Indifference curves and budget lines
Model choices under a budget constraint.
23 · A Level additional · The price system and the microeconomy · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.3 Efficiency and market failure
Evaluate resource allocation and departures from efficiency.
24 · A Level additional · The price system and the microeconomy · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.4 Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits
Distinguish effects on decision-makers from effects on society.
7.5 Types of cost, revenue and profit, short-run and long-run production
Analyse firm performance and production decisions.
25 · A Level additional · The price system and the microeconomy · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.6 Different market structures
Compare competition and market power.
26 · A Level additional · The price system and the microeconomy
Compulsory within this study stage.
7.7 Growth and survival of firms
Explain why and how firms grow or remain small.
7.8 Differing objectives and policies of firms
Explore business objectives beyond a single profit assumption.
27 · A Level additional · Government microeconomic intervention · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
8.1 Government policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure
Evaluate policy effectiveness in improving allocation.
8.2 Equity and redistribution of income and wealth
Assess distributional aims and policy trade-offs.
28 · A Level additional · Government microeconomic intervention · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
8.3 Labour market forces and government intervention
Explain wages, employment and labour-market policy.
29 · A Level additional · The macroeconomy · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
9.1 The circular flow of income
Extend the model to analyse changes in national income.
9.2 Economic growth and sustainability
Evaluate growth alongside environmental and long-term constraints.
30 · A Level additional · The macroeconomy · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
9.3 Employment/unemployment
Extend analysis of labour-market outcomes across the economy.
31 · A Level additional · The macroeconomy
Compulsory within this study stage.
9.4 Money and banking
Explore money, financial institutions and their economic roles.
32 · A Level additional · Government macroeconomic intervention · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
10.1 Government macroeconomic policy objectives
Evaluate priorities among macroeconomic goals.
10.2 Links between macroeconomic problems and their interrelatedness
Explain how macroeconomic problems interact.
33 · A Level additional · Government macroeconomic intervention · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
10.3 Effectiveness of policy options to meet all macroeconomic objectives
Evaluate policy combinations and conflicts between objectives.
34 · A Level additional · International economic issues · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
11.1 Policies to correct disequilibrium in the balance of payments
Assess responses to external imbalances.
11.2 Exchange rates
Extend analysis of exchange-rate systems and changes.
35 · A Level additional · International economic issues · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
11.3 Economic development
Distinguish development from growth and consider measurement.
36 · A Level additional · International economic issues · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
11.4 Characteristics of countries at different levels of development
Compare structural and social features of economies.
11.5 Relationship between countries at different levels of development
Explore interdependence and international relationships.
37 · A Level additional · International economic issues · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
11.6 Globalisation
Evaluate increasing global economic integration.
38 · Skills you will develop
Use diagrams, calculations and evidence to analyse economic choices. Evaluate assumptions, trade-offs and how outcomes depend on context.
39 · Keep the syllabus beside you
– Use the official syllabus for 2026–2028.
– Find each numbered topic or labelled option in the subject-content section.
– Use its detailed requirements to plan study and review progress.
[Open the official Cambridge syllabus](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/697423-2026-2028-syllabus.pdf)
The next five questions check your understanding of this topic map. They are optional practice with feedback and retries, not Cambridge grades.
Topic check 1 · Find the right area
Which AS topic explores government spending and taxation?
– 5.3 Monetary policy
– 5.2 Fiscal policy
– 6.2 Protectionism
Show answer and feedback
Correct: 5.2 Fiscal policy
Correct feedback: 5.2 Fiscal policy: Explore government spending and taxation. Review slide 16 and 17.
If 5.3 Monetary policy is selected: 5.3 Monetary policy: Explore monetary tools and their economic effects. Review slide 16 and 17. The best match to this question is 5.2 Fiscal policy.
If 6.2 Protectionism is selected: 6.2 Protectionism: Evaluate restrictions on international trade. Review slide 19 and 20. The best match to this question is 5.2 Fiscal policy.
Topic check 2 · Understand the course structure
True or false: Full A Level includes both the AS topics and additional topics.
Show answer and feedback
Correct: True
Correct feedback: Correct. The full list runs from 1.1 to 11.6; AS ends at 6.5.
Incorrect feedback: Revisit slide 02. The full list runs from 1.1 to 11.6; AS ends at 6.5.
Topic check 3 · Complete the topic title
Use satisfaction to explain consumer choice.
Complete the missing word in this topic title: 7.1 ____
Show answer and feedback
Accepted answer: Utility. Ignore case and surrounding whitespace; do not require the topic number.
Correct feedback: 7.1 Utility: Use satisfaction to explain consumer choice. Review slide 22 and 23.
Incorrect feedback: Use the description to identify the topic. The missing word is “Utility”; the complete title is 7.1 Utility. Review slide 22 and 23.
Topic check 4 · Match topics to their focus
Match each description with its topic label. Use each label once.
Draggable labels: 1.5 Production possibility curves; 6.2 Protectionism; 9.4 Money and banking
– Use models to show trade-offs and productive capacity. → [drop zone]
– Evaluate restrictions on international trade. → [drop zone]
– Explore money, financial institutions and their economic roles. → [drop zone]
Show answer and feedback
– Row 1: 1.5 Production possibility curves. Review slide 05 and 06.
– Row 2: 6.2 Protectionism. Review slide 19 and 20.
– Row 3: 9.4 Money and banking. Review slide 31.
Correct feedback: Each label now matches its study focus.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Keep correct matches and revisit the topic descriptions above; use the solution to compare each pair.
Topic check 5 · Identify the study areas
Select the two topic labels that match these descriptions:
– Explore benefits received by buyers and sellers.
– Evaluate increasing global economic integration.
Selectable text:
2.5 Consumer and producer surplus / 1.1 Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost / 11.6 Globalisation / 1.2 Economic methodology
Show answer and feedback
Correct labels: 2.5 Consumer and producer surplus; 11.6 Globalisation.
Incorrect labels: 1.1 Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost; 1.2 Economic methodology.
Correct feedback: 2.5 Consumer and producer surplus: Explore benefits received by buyers and sellers. Review slide 09. 11.6 Globalisation: Evaluate increasing global economic integration. Review slide 36 and 37.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Match the meaning of each description, not just a familiar word. 1.1 Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost: Explain choice when resources are limited. Review slide 03 and 04. 1.2 Economic methodology: Understand how economists construct and evaluate explanations. Review slide 03 and 04.