If you are studying H2 Economics for the 2026 A Levels, the first thing you must do is to understand how the Economics exam is structured.
Many JC students spend too much time “studying Economics” in a broad way, without understanding what the syllabus is really testing. But in A Level Economics, the exam format is not just administrative detail. It directly shapes how you should study, practise, and write.
The 2026 H2 Economics assessment comprises two compulsory written papers. This means that you must be prepared for both microeconomics and macroeconomics across the full syllabus, and you must be prepared for both case studies and economics essay writing.
The two compulsory papers are Paper 1 (Case Studies) and Paper 2 (Economics Essays).
Taken as a whole, the papers are designed to provide a good balance of questions across micro and macro. In other words, do not make the mistake of over-specialising. Some students wrongly assume they can focus on “micro only” or “macro only”. This is not how the exam works.
For Paper 1, you will sit for two compulsory case studies. You must answer all questions for each case study. Since each case study carries 30 marks, Paper 1 constitutes 40 percent of the total A Level grade. This is significant.
Each case study will consist of two to three pages of data, and this data can be presented in textual, numerical, or graphical form. Each case study will present contemporary, multifaceted economic issues or policies, and these issues may come from one or more themes in the syllabus. This is why students who study in isolated topics often struggle. Real case studies do not stay neatly within one chapter. You will need to connect concepts across the syllabus.
A pro tip from an actual professional: I recall my Head of Department commenting once that the case study questions would have been set around 2 years earlier, so that very likely means that economic issues from 2023/2024/2025 would come out in the 2026 Economics exams.
You must also understand the nature of Paper 1 questions. The data for each case study will be followed by six or seven part questions, including sub parts. These questions require you to apply relevant economic concepts, theories, and principles in analysing, synthesising, and evaluating economic issues, perspectives, or policies, with reference to the data provided. In other words, the case study is not a comprehension passage. The data are there to support analysis and judgement, not to be repeated.
About 12 marks of each set of case study questions will be for data response questions, and about 18 marks will be for higher order questions. Accordingly, you should treat Paper 1 as applied Economics, where you are expected to reason from evidence and arrive at clear economic conclusions. The key point here is that higher order thinking is central, not optional. This includes judgement, weighing, and recognising limitations. So for case studies, you must be prepared to evaluate, not just explain.
Now let us move to Paper 2.
Paper 2 is the economics essays paper. There will be six essay questions in total, of which candidates are required to answer a total of three.
(To read more on the topic of "A Complete and Comprehensive Checklist for Your JC Economics Essay for 2026", click here.)
Paper 2 carries 75 marks, with a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes, and constitutes 60 percent of the total grade. This means Paper 2 is the bigger component. If you want to secure an A for Economics at A levels, your economics essay skills must be strong.
However, there is an important exam technique point. Although there are six questions, remember that you are not answering all six. Candidates are required to answer a total of three essay questions. One must be from Section A, one must be from Section B, and the third can be from either Section A or Section B.
This matters because it shapes your revision strategy.
You cannot gamble by revising only “your favourite” topics. But at the same time, it is wise to develop strategic depth in certain topics so that you have flexibility when selecting the third question.
Section A focuses mainly on micro. Three micro essay questions will be set, and candidates must answer at least one question from Section A.
Section B focuses mainly on macro. Three macro essay questions will be set, and candidates must answer at least one question from Section B.
Each essay question carries 25 marks.
Part (a) often tests whether you can explain a mechanism clearly and accurately. Part (b) often tests whether you can evaluate, weigh, and arrive at a defensible judgement.
For Paper 2, the assessment objectives matter again. Most of the marks require more than definitions and diagram explanations. The examiners want analysis, application, and evaluation. Candidates are expected to apply relevant economic concepts, theories, and principles to analyse issues and evaluate perspectives or policies. They should synthesise and construct coherent arguments to arrive at well reasoned judgements and decisions. In simple terms, they are testing whether you can think like an economist and write like an economist.
So what should you take away from the 2026 H2 Economics syllabus and exam structure?
First, do not treat Paper 1 as an easier paper. Paper 1 is 40 percent of the grade, and it is still designed to test higher order thinking. Train yourself to move from data handling to analysis to judgement, and always anchor your answers in the evidence given.
Second, understand that Paper 2 is not just about memorising content. Essay questions are designed to test reasoning quality. If you want the higher bands, you must analyse and evaluate properly. This includes weighing arguments, considering time horizons, and stating limitations and conditions clearly. You must also manage the two part structure of each essay question properly, so that part (a) is precise and part (b) is evaluative and well reasoned.
Third, balance matters. You must be competent in both micro and macro. Since Paper 2 forces you to answer at least one micro question and at least one macro question, you cannot ignore either.
Fourth, your practice must match the exam. This means you should not only practise full essays. You should also practise planning essays quickly, applying context, writing evaluative conclusions, and writing logical, step-by-step, clear chains of reasoning. For Paper 1, you should practise data extraction together with economic interpretation, and you must practise writing higher order answers rather than short descriptive responses. You should get used to case studies that combine multiple economic themes, because this is exactly how real case studies are designed.
In the final analysis, the 2026 H2 Economics syllabus is not asking you to be a walking economics textbook. It is asking you to apply economic concepts clearly, analyse issues logically, and evaluate with judgement. If you revise with this exam structure in mind, your writing will improve, your answers will be more focused, and your Economics marks will rise naturally.
Thank you for reading and cheers.
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JC Economics Essays is my popular economics blog where I write about how to write better economics essays for the A levels, as well as other academic levels. To date, more than 120,000 readers have visited this blog. Thank you for reading, and I hope these useful materials help you.
