Edexcel A Level Economics B specification (9EB0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel A Level Economics B exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Edexcel A Level Economics B specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Edexcel A Level Economics B (9EB0) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Economics B (Economics B) aims to develop students’ understanding of both microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts through real-world contexts, especially business and global economics. It encourages learners to explore how markets operate, the role of government, and the global economic environment, equipping them with an enquiring, critical, and analytical approach. The specification supports progression to higher education in economics-related disciplines and careers in finance, public policy, and business. The course nurtures transferable skills such as quantitative analysis, evaluation, and commercial awareness by embedding contemporary economic events and policies into its structure.Subject content breakdown
Theme 1: Markets, consumers and firms
- Scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost
- Business objectives and stakeholder conflicts
- Entrepreneurship, enterprise, and specialisation
- Demand and supply, price determination and mechanism
- Market research and positioning
- The role of credit and financial decision-making
- Market failure and government intervention
- Revenue, costs, profit, and cash flow
Theme 2: The wider economic environment
- Business growth and innovation
- Digital economy and small firm competition
- Elasticities of demand and pricing strategies
- Productivity, efficiency, and capacity utilisation
- Globalisation, trade, and exchange rates
- Economic cycle, inflation, unemployment
- Macroeconomic objectives and policy instruments
Theme 3: The global economy
- Growth in emerging economies and implications
- Trade liberalisation, blocs, and protectionism
- Exchange rate impacts and trade policy
- Business expansion, location, and offshoring
- Multinational corporations and ethical issues
- Labour markets, wage factors, and migration
- Poverty, inequality, and income redistribution
Theme 4: Making markets work
- Market structures and competition spectrum
- Pricing decisions and productive/allocative efficiency
- Market failure and business regulation
- Government interventions in wider market failures
- Demand-side and supply-side macroeconomic policy
- Risk, financial markets, and banking system regulation
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Markets and how they work
- Based on Themes 1 and 4
- Section A: One data response question
- Sections B & C: Each with one extended open-response question
- 2 hours, 100 marks
Paper 2: Competing in the global economy
- Based on Themes 2 and 3
- Section A: One data response question
- Sections B & C: Each with one extended open-response question
- 2 hours, 100 marks
Paper 3: The economic environment and business
- Synoptic paper covering all four themes
- Based on pre-released context with unseen stimuli
- Section A: Broad context focus
- Section B: Focus on a strand (e.g. firm or issue)
- 2 hours, 100 marks
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel A Level Economics B isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
Share this article