Pre-course task for 2015 entry
AS Economics
Why do I need to complete a pre-course task?
The task is designed to allow your teacher to assess important skills at the start of the course,
which they can use for planning student activities, identifying where support might be needed
and to help in the assessment of your suitability for the AS level course.
We have found that some students elect to take an AS level without recognising the skills
needed to receive a high grade in an examined course; such students may be better suited to a
vocational qualification, which is only assessed by coursework at this time. Your performance
in the task will allow your teachers to support you fully to ensure you are on the right course to
maximise your performance.
When should I hand it in?
You should have completed this task by Monday 29th June which is our Welcome Day; you will
shortly be receiving an invite to this event. You should hand it in to your subject workshop
leader on this day. Please ensure your name is written on the top of every page of work you
produce.
How will I be given feedback on how well I have done?
Your teacher will mark and return your work before the end of enrolment. This will include
written feedback outlining the effectiveness of your skills in areas such as; research, application
and analysis. This work comprises an element of the assessment used during induction.
Task In Detail
1.
2.
3.
4.
Research and apply a range of economics key terms
Complete numerical questions and apply economics key terms to the data
Outline what economics is
Explain the skills you believe you will need to develop to be successful in economics
Suggested reading references
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http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Competitive_markets/What_is_economics.html
http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/revision-notes/index.html
Please complete the following questions
Huddersfield New College, New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
Telephone: 01484 652341 email: info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk
www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk
1. Define and explain the following key terms:
Key term
Economic
Problem
Definition
Wants
Needs
Factors of
production
Goods
Services
Scarcity
Opportunity
cost
Economic
welfare
Huddersfield New College, New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
Telephone: 01484 652341 email: info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk
www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk
Explanation and example
The table below identifies where the government spends money within the
economy for 2014/2015:
Use the data to answer the following questions:
1. Calculate the percentage of government spending allocated to the following areas:
Area of
Percentage of total
Include here workings
spending
spending
Health
Education
2. The government is at present attempting to spend less in the economy due to a lack of
money. This will ultimately mean less funding available for areas such as health and
education. Apply the following key terms to the government’s predicament:
a. Scarcity___________________________________________________________
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Huddersfield New College, New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
Telephone: 01484 652341 email: info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk
www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk
b. Economic
problem_______________________________________________________
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c. Opportunity
cost___________________________________________________________
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3. Based on your research, what do you believe Economics is?
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Huddersfield New College, New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
Telephone: 01484 652341 email: info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk
www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk
4. Outline what skills you believe you will need to develop in order to be successful in
economics
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5. Explain why you have chosen to study economics
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Huddersfield New College, New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
Telephone: 01484 652341 email: info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk
www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk