AQA A Level Economics Paper 3 2025 Mark Scheme Pdf

Download the official AQA A-Level Economics Paper 3 mark scheme for the June 2025 exam (7136/3). This **final version (v1.0)** includes full multiple-choice answers, level-based marking guidance, and detailed indicative content used by examiners.

---

## **Section A: Multiple-Choice Answers (page 3)**

The mark scheme provides the **complete answer key (Q1–Q30)**.

### **Key Answers**
- Q1: **B** – mandated choice = required by law
- Q2: **C** – opportunity cost (ST)
- Q3: **B** – hypothesis testing
- Q4: **D** – indirect tax reduction shifts SRAS
- Q5: **A** – fewer Jobcentres → frictional unemployment
- Q7: **D** – increasing returns to scale
- Q8: **C (£75,000)** – abnormal profit
- Q10: **D** – accelerator depends on Δ national income
- Q13: **B** – supply more inelastic at lower prices
- Q14: **D** – excess demand (housing shortage)
- Q16: **B** – inflation fluctuates, unemployment rises
- Q17: **C** – long-term savings (broad money)
- Q18: **D** – higher profit, lower security
- Q20: **C** – price discrimination effect
- Q21: **B (5.3%)** – union membership fall
- Q22: **A** – wage discrimination
- Q24: **A** – absolute & comparative advantage
- Q25: **D (US$5200m)** – tariff impact
- Q26: **D** – supply-side tax incentives
- Q27: **D** – competition policy indicators
- Q28: **C** – pollution permits incentives
- Q29: **A** – real mortgage value falls
- Q30: **C ($26,500)** – GDP per capita

The **full answer grid on page 3** confirms all correct options and brief justifications.

---

## **Section B: Investigation Marking Guidance**

---

### **Q31 (10 marks): Automotive Industry Decline**

**Level-based marking (pages 5–7):**
- **Level 3 (8–10):**
- Uses multiple data points from Extract B
- Evaluates trends + limitations
- Clear final judgement

**Key Data (page 7):**
- Production: **↓ 43% (2015–2023)**
- Domestic sales: **↓ 47%**
- Exports (volume): **↓ 42%**
- Employment: **↓ 2.4%**
- Trade deficit: **↑ 19%**

BUT:
- Export value: **↑ 37.6%**
- GVA: **↑ 5.7%**

👉 Strong answers recognise **mixed evidence** but often conclude **overall decline in contribution**.

---

### **Q32 (15 marks): Balance of Trade in Motor Vehicles**

**Level 3 (11–15 marks):**
- Clear, logical chains of reasoning
- Strong application of theory

**Key Factors (pages 8–9):**
- Exchange rates (currency depreciation/appreciation)
- Global & domestic economic growth
- Income elasticity of demand
- Foreign direct investment (FDI)
- Productivity and costs
- Trade barriers (tariffs, quotas)
- Brexit impacts
- Demand for EVs and hybrids
- Supply chain disruptions

👉 High-level answers integrate **multiple factors with strong analysis**.

---

### **Q33 (25 marks): Gigafactory Subsidies Evaluation**

**Top Level (Level 5: 21–25 marks, page 10):**
- Strong analysis + **continuous evaluation**
- Clear, supported final judgement

---

### **Arguments FOR subsidies (page 11):**
- Create jobs and protect the automotive sector
- Support **green transition (EVs)**
- Attract investment and FDI
- Positive multiplier effects
- Improve balance of payments
- Strategic importance of battery production

---

### **Arguments AGAINST subsidies:**
- High opportunity cost (government spending)
- Risk of government failure
- Distorts comparative advantage
- May subsidise inefficient firms
- Could increase taxes / public debt
- Cheaper to import batteries

---

### **Evaluation Requirements**
- Consider:
- Short vs long run
- Scale of benefits vs costs
- Global competition
- Must include:
- **Balanced argument**
- **Final recommendation**

⚠️ Important rule (page 11):
- No evaluation = **max 13 marks**

---

## **Examiner Guidance (page 4)**

- Uses **“best fit” level marking**
- Credit **valid alternative answers**
- Focus on **overall quality**, not minor errors

---

## **Why This Mark Scheme Matters**
- Shows **exact MCQ answers + calculations**
- Reveals **how marks are awarded in essays**
- Helps structure **top-band (Level 5) responses**
- Essential for mastering **synoptic Paper 3 skills**

---

Fully updated for the 2025/2026 academic year and optimised for instant download on markscheme.net.

This mark scheme is ideal for Year 13 students preparing for AQA A-Level Economics exams, especially Paper 3 (synoptic).

Teachers and tutors use it to standardise marking, provide detailed feedback, and model high-level answers. It is also perfect for independent learners aiming for A/A* grades.