How to answer an Edexcel Economics A 25 marker – a tutor’s guide

Written by Tom Furber, an online A-Level Economics tutor. Published 13th October 2026.

25 mark questions feature in all three papers for Edexcel Economics A.

In my experience, students often find this question the most challenging. Let’s go through how to tackle 25 markers.

How many 25 markers are there in Papers 1, 2 and 3?

Each time a 25 mark question appears for Edexcel A, you get a choice. You should pick one from every pair of available 25 markers.

Paper 1 and Paper 2: students answer one 25 mark question from a choice of two.

• A very short extract is given, so students should revise their own real world examples.

Paper 3: students answer two 25 mark questions in total (each time from a choice of two).

• Extracts are available, but occasionally questions offer students the option to use their own examples too.

Which skills are assessed on a 25 mark question?

Assessment objectives can be split into “KAA” and evaluation:

What does KAA mean?

• KAA (Knowledge, application and analysis, up to 16 marks)
  • Knowledge – show knowledge and understanding of economic ideas and models
  • Application – apply economic ideas to the question and use real-world context.
  • Analysis – chains of reasoning that are long enough, make sense and avoid gaps in reasoning.
  • KAA is split into levels, with level 4 being the highest possible level.

What does evaluation mean?

• Evaluation (up to 9 marks):
  • What is evaluation? This means considering weaknesses or assumptions in your previous analysis. Alternatively, you can consider counterpoints that undermine the previous analysis.
  • Support the evaluation – evaluation should be supported by a short chain of reasoning and should link back to the context.
  • Evaluation includes a conclusion – a concluding judgement that is justified.
  • Evaluation is split into levels, with level 3 being the highest possible level.

How to structure a 25 marker response

The response to a 25 marker usually features five paragraphs:

• Point 1
• Evaluation 1
• Point 2
• Evaluation 2
• Conclusion.

Introductions are not needed.

An example question

Here is a question written in the style of Edexcel Economics A, Paper 1:

Before starting the essay, it can be a good idea to write a brief plan. In particular, knowing your two key points is helpful.

What a quick plan could look like

In the exam, time is limited. So any planning phase should be quick.

Some students need a plan before they start writing. You could write a quick plan like this in two minutes (or less):

• P1: Subsidy D/S diagram with producer/consumer areas. Benefits for producers and consumers.
• E: Firm dependence.
• P2: Lower demand for fossil fuels. CS/PS diagram. Less pollution.
• E: XED – distant substitutes.

For more confident or time-constrained students, the most important thing is to know your two key analysis points or diagrams you will use.

Starting the 25 mark question

No introduction is needed. Get straight into the first point. For this, I’ve chosen the subsidy diagram, the increase in supply of renewables and the benefits for consumers and producers.

What evaluation looks like

For the first evaluation paragraph, consider a limitation of the previous point or a counterpoint that undermines our previous analysis.

In this case, I consider the risk that firms may become dependent on the subsidy. I explain why firms may become dependent, then explain the possible consequences of this dependence, in context.

The second half of the essay – point 2

Here is the second point. I consider reduced pollution, using a supply and demand diagram.

Evaluation paragraph 2

For evaluation paragraph 2, I consider that fossil fuels and renewables could be distant or weak substitutes.

How to conclude

For a conclusion, it’s important to make a judgement and to justify your judgement.

For this question, evaluating the consequences of the subsidy, we need to decide whether the consequences are large or small and why. Alternatively, you could argue which of the effects is greater and why.

A conclusion is not just a summary. Instead, we do want to add something new, even if it is brief.

In this conclusion below, this essay argues that there’s a large effect on producers by increasing investment and profit.

Why is this effect large? The essay argues that the evaluation point of subsidy dependence can be countered. Namely, with a well-designed subsidy such as the Contracts for Difference (CfD), firms may be less likely to waste funds.

The key takeaways for 25 markers

• Show off your knowledge: use relevant technical terms and economic theories throughout.
• Analyse: make an extended chain of reasoning, use diagrams so you have more to discuss.
• Apply: use real-world examples throughout the answer. Apply theory to the question.
• Evaluate: consider counterpoints or weaknesses of arguments. Think about the cause and consequences of these issues. Conclude with a justified answer to the question that is not just a summary of arguments.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I spend on a 25 marker?

30 minutes is ideal.

Some students are able to answer all the other questions in the papers more quickly relative to the marks available.

For example, the Section A section in Papers 1 and 2, featuring short questions, can be answered more quickly than 30 minutes.

In this case, you could spend a few more minutes on this question. In this case, 32-35 minutes can work fine as well.

How many paragraphs should I write for a 25 mark question?

Five paragraphs can score full marks:

• Point 1.
• Evaluation 1
• Point 2.
• Evaluation 2.
• Conclusion.

The problem with writing three points and/or three evaluation points is this may reduce the depth of your points.

Edexcel rewards depth, not breadth.

Examiner reports frequently mention that two detailed analysis points (with two evaluation points and the conclusion) are sufficient to score full marks.

How do I write more analysis? I cannot think of much to say.

Start with a diagram.

Consider starting with a diagram. This gives you a lot to talk about.

For many diagrams, you can show areas too, such as consumer surplus. You can use these areas to give you even more to discuss.

Then, consider stakeholders.

Suppose you are talking about consumers. What further effects may consumers face? Think about consumer surplus but also quality, affordability, related goods and so on.

For producers, consider profits, investment, employment, shutdown as well as producer surplus and related goods.

Other ways to extend analysis.

Just mentioning a few of these may be enough to extend the analysis. There are other ways to extend analysis for market failure in theme 1 or dynamic efficiency in theme 3 (and other ways to do so in macro).

The above applies to questions about effects or consequences. For causes or factors questions, there are different approaches.

To learn more about extending analysis, I recommend looking at model answers to see examples.

More resources for Edexcel Economics A