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Cambridge O Level Economics

Economics for Cambridge O Level (syllabus 2281) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
2281
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
O Level

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge O Level Economics
Spec code
2281
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 9 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-18, official Cambridge specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-08-18.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Cambridge O Level Economics (2281)

The Cambridge O Level Economics syllabus develops an understanding of economic terminology and principles, and of basic economic theory. Learners find out about the economics of developed and developing nations and how these interrelate. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Cambridge syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for Cambridge Economics 2281
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Multiple Choice 0h 45m 30 30% Multiple choice
Paper 2: Structured Questions 2h 15m 90 70% Written exam

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27. Directly confirmed against the official PDF (Assessment overview, p.9): Paper 1 Multiple Choice (45min, 30 marks, 30%, all 30 questions compulsory) and Paper 2 Structured Questions (2h15, 90 marks, 70%, one compulsory question plus three from a choice of four), both externally assessed. Not tiered; grades A*-E. This is a single-year syllabus edition (2026 only) -- firstAssessment and finalAssessment are both set to 2026 and this record should be re-checked for a successor edition when next touched.

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge Economics (2281) assessed?

Cambridge Economics (2281) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) — 0h 45m, 30 marks, 30% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Structured Questions) — 2h 15m, 90 marks, 70% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27.

The subject

Economics teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Economics at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 6 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge O Level Economics (2281), for the 2026 examination series, reproduced from the Cambridge syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 3 of 6 topics.

  1. 1 The basic economic problem

    3 Marlbridge resources

    The nature of the economic problem · The factors of production · Opportunity cost · Production possibility curve (PPC) diagrams

  2. 2 The allocation of resources

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Microeconomics and macroeconomics · The role of markets in allocating resources · Demand · Supply · Price determination · Price changes · Price elasticity of demand (PED) · Price elasticity of supply (PES) · Market economic system · Market failure · Mixed economic system

  3. 3 Microeconomic decision makers

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Money and banking · Households · Workers · Trade unions · Firms · Firms and production · Firms' costs, revenue and objectives · Market structure

  4. 4 Government and the macroeconomy

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  5. 5 Economic development

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  6. 6 International trade and globalisation

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2026 series. Verified 2026-08-24. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Economics at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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