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Cambridge IGCSE Economics Past Papers
Official question papers, mark schemes and examiner reports.
90 papers19 exam sessionsFree to download
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Navigator’s note
Confusing Productivity with Production
Keep the two concepts separate.
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Cambridge IGCSE Economics papers by session
November 2020
6 papersLatest seriesJune 2020
6 papersExaminer InsightsCambridge IGCSE Economics
Where marks are made.
Spot the common mistake. Make the precise correction.
01Common mistake
Confusing Productivity with Production
Students often use productivity and production as if they mean the same thing. They may assume that producing more output automatically means productivity has increased.
How to solve it
Keep the two concepts separate.
Production is the total quantity of goods or services produced, while productivity measures efficiency by comparing output with the resources used, such as output per worker or per hour.
Check the command word before you write.
02Common mistake
Confusing the Government Budget with the Current Account
Students often confuse a government budget deficit with a current account deficit. These measure two completely different areas of the economy.
How to solve it
Remember that the government budget compares government spending with government revenue, mainly from taxation.
The current account is part of the balance of payments and records international transactions involving goods, services, primary income and secondary income.
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03Common mistake
Misunderstanding Movements vs. Shifts on Diagrams
Students often shift a demand or supply curve when they should show a movement along the curve, or show a movement when the whole curve should shift.
How to solve it
A change in the price of the good itself causes a movement along the demand or supply curve.
Changes in other factors, such as income, tastes, costs of production or the price of related goods, cause the entire curve to shift.
Check the command word before you write.
04Common mistake
Inaccurate Definitions of the Labour Force
Students sometimes assume that the labour force includes only people who are employed, or incorrectly classify retired people as unemployed.
How to solve it
The labour force consists of people who are employed plus those who are unemployed and actively seeking work.
People such as retirees who are not seeking work are classed as economically inactive and are not part of the labour force.
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05Common mistake
Failing to Use Source Material in Section A
In data-response questions, students often rely on general economic knowledge instead of using the specific information provided in the source material.
How to solve it
When the question tells you to refer to the source material, support your answer with relevant evidence from the extract, table or graph.
Use specific figures, trends or details from the source rather than giving only a general textbook response.
Check the command word before you write.
06Common mistake
Lack of Depth and Balance in “Discuss” Questions
Students often give a one-sided response or simply list several points in 8-mark “discuss” questions without developing them fully.
How to solve it
Build a balanced, two-sided argument by explaining both why something may happen and why it may not.
Develop each point using clear economic reasoning to show how one factor leads to another, rather than just listing advantages and disadvantages.
Check the command word before you write.
07Common mistake
Confusing Public, Merit and Free Goods
Students often incorrectly classify goods, such as calling education or healthcare public goods, or assuming that a free good simply means something provided free of charge.
How to solve it
Learn the key differences clearly.
Public goods are non-rival and non-excludable, such as street lighting or national defence. Merit goods, such as education and healthcare, can be provided by the market but tend to be under-consumed. Free goods, such as sunshine, have no opportunity cost because no scarce resources are needed to produce them.
Check the command word before you write.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any changes to Cambridge IGCSE Economics for 2027 compared with 2026?
Yes. Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455 / 0987) has a new syllabus for the 2027–2029 exam cycle. Compared with 2026, it includes updated content and structure, as well as changes to the weighting of assessment objectives. Students taking exams in 2027 should therefore use resources specifically aligned with the new syllabus.
When was the Cambridge IGCSE Economics syllabus last changed?
The most recent update to Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455 / 0987) takes effect for the 2027–2029 exam cycle, with first examinations in 2027. The previous syllabus covered the 2023–2026 exam period.
How do I know if Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455) is the right syllabus code for me?
Check your school registration, student portal or Statement of Entry. Most students take Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455), while schools using the 9–1 grading system may use 0987 instead. You should also check your exam year, as students sitting exams from 2027 should use resources aligned with the 2027–2029 syllabus.
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