0455

Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455) - February-March 2022 Past Papers

Download 6 free IGCSE Economics past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the February-March 2022 Cambridge examination session. Includes question papers for all variants with full solutions.

About IGCSE Economics (0455)

IGCSE Economics introduces microeconomics, macroeconomics, international trade, and economic development. Candidates must analyze economic data, evaluate policies, and explain how markets and governments interact.

What this exam tests: Key skills include diagram analysis, data interpretation, and evaluating economic arguments.

Papers available in variants 11, 12, 13 for different time zones. All variants cover the same Economics syllabus with equal difficulty.

Grade Thresholds

Study Resources for Economics

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0455 February-March 2022 Papers

0455 Paper 1 - Multiple Choice

45 min • 30 marks

Tests broad syllabus knowledge with 40 questions. Each question has four options (A-D). Core tier paper.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2

0455 Paper 2 - Structured Questions

2 hr 15 min • 90 marks

Extended tier multiple choice with more challenging questions covering the full syllabus. 40 questions, 45 minutes.

Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v2
MS:
v2

Other Resources

Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.

Examiner Report

Insights from examiners on how students performed. Learn common mistakes to avoid and what examiners look for in top answers.

View

Examiner Insights - February-March 2022

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

  • • Pay close attention to command words and answer the question directly.
  • • Avoid exaggerations and make realistic, well-supported arguments.
  • • Use source material when answering data response questions.
  • • Understand fundamental economic concepts and their implications.
  • • Practice interpreting graphs and diagrams, especially those related to inflation and cost curves.
Paper 12 - Multiple Choice

The questions that were answered correctly by most candidates covered different parts of the syllabus and tested different skills. However, a number of questions were answered correctly by fewer than 60% of the candidates.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice multiple-choice questions under timed conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
  • ✓ Carefully read each question and all answer options before selecting your answer.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Factors of Production)
✗ Candidates did not include the capital of the enterprise when identifying factors of production.
→ Remember to consider all forms of capital, including equipment and premises, when identifying factors of production.
Q5 (Price Elasticity of Demand)
✗ Candidates recognized the demand curve was likely to be price-elastic but did not identify the perfectly price-elastic curve (a horizontal line).
→ Understand the graphical representation of different types of price elasticity of demand, especially perfectly elastic (horizontal) and perfectly inelastic (vertical).
Q14 (Subsidies and Market Equilibrium)
✗ Candidates identified a shift in supply that could represent a subsidy but failed to identify the market position *before* any market equilibrium adjustment.
→ Carefully read the question and identify *exactly* what the question is asking for (e.g., before or after an adjustment).
Q16 (Conflicts Between Government Economic Aims)
✗ Candidates struggled to identify when there *would not* be a conflict between government economic aims.
→ Consider all potential implications of each option and how they might interact with other economic aims. Think through the full chain of effects.
Paper 22 - Structured Questions

There was a wide range of performance, with some candidates demonstrating a strong ability to apply economic concepts to current issues. Weaker answers showed confusion over economic concepts and a lack of focus on the specific question set.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice applying economic concepts to real-world scenarios and current economic issues.
  • ✓ When answering (d) questions, explore both sides of the argument in depth.
  • ✓ Plan your time effectively and answer three optional questions only. Do not answer all four.

Common Mistakes:

QGeneral (Answering technique)
✗ Using exaggerations in answers which weakens the argument.
→ Avoid extreme statements and qualify your answers to make them more realistic and credible.
Q1(c) (Command Words)
✗ Candidates explained *why* something was beneficial, when the command word 'State' only required identification.
→ Pay close attention to command words like 'State', 'Identify', and 'Define', which require brief answers, versus 'Explain', 'Analyse' and 'Discuss', which require more detail.
Q1(d) (Data Response)
✗ Candidates did not use the source material when answering a data response question.
→ Always use the information provided in the source material in your answers to data response questions.
Q2(d) (Fiscal Policy and Aggregate Demand)
✗ Confusing the impact of reduced income tax on demand and prices (incorrectly stating that it leads to deflation).
→ Understand that a reduction in income tax increases disposable income, which increases aggregate demand and, potentially, inflation, not deflation.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0455 February-March 2022. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455)

Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455) is one of the most popular qualifications taken by students worldwide. The February-March 2022 examination session included 2 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0455 past papers from February-March 2022, including question papers (QP), mark schemes (MS), and examiner reports (ER). Use these resources to practice under timed conditions and understand how examiners award marks.

View all 0455 past papers → | All 2022 sessions →

Get Economics Study Tips

Join students preparing for 0455. Get weekly study tips, new past papers alerts, and exam reminders.

0455 Study Tips & FAQ

What are paper variants?

Cambridge releases multiple variants of each paper (e.g., Paper 11, 12, 13) to accommodate different time zones around the world and maintain exam security.

  • Variant 1 (e.g., 11, 21): Usually for Zone 1 (Americas)
  • Variant 2 (e.g., 12, 22): Usually for Zone 2 (Europe, Africa)
  • Variant 3 (e.g., 13, 23): Usually for Zone 3 (Asia, Oceania)

All variants cover the same syllabus and have similar difficulty. Practice with any variant to prepare effectively for your exam.

How to use Mark Schemes effectively

Mark schemes show exactly how examiners award marks for each question. Understanding them helps you write answers that earn full marks.

Example from a Physics mark scheme:

Q: Calculate the speed of a car that travels 150m in 5 seconds. [2]

Mark scheme answer:

• speed = distance / time [1 mark for formula]

• speed = 150 / 5 = 30 m/s [1 mark for correct answer with unit]

Tips:

  • Look for key words that must appear in your answer
  • Note how many points are needed for each mark
  • Check if units are required for the final mark
  • Understand the difference between "state" (brief) and "explain" (detailed)
Understanding Grade Thresholds

Grade thresholds show the minimum marks needed for each grade. They vary each session based on paper difficulty — harder papers have lower thresholds.

Example Grade Thresholds (out of 100 total):

A*
90+
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69

* Actual thresholds vary by subject and session

How to use thresholds:

  • Set realistic target marks based on your goal grade
  • Track your practice paper scores against thresholds
  • Remember: you don't need 100% for an A* — aim for consistency
  • Compare thresholds across sessions to gauge difficulty trends
How is the topic breakdown calculated?

The "Topics Breakdown by Paper" section above shows which syllabus topics are tested in each paper and how many marks they carry. Here's how we calculate this:

Our methodology:

  1. Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
  2. Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0455 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
  3. Sum marks per topic: For each paper, we add up the marks for all questions testing the same topic. For example, if Q1 (4 marks) and Q5b (3 marks) both test "Enzymes", that topic shows as "7 marks" for that paper.

Example: If Paper 3 shows "Photosynthesis - 13 marks", it means questions worth a total of 13 marks (out of the paper's 80 marks) tested the Photosynthesis topic from the Plant Nutrition unit of the syllabus.

How to use this: Look at the paper(s) you'll be taking (e.g., Papers 2, 4, 6 for Extended tier). The topics with the highest marks in YOUR papers are where you should focus your revision. A topic worth 15 marks deserves more study time than one worth 3 marks.

Note: Our topic matching may be inaccurate for questions that span multiple topics. Use this as a guide alongside the official syllabus.

How to Use IGCSE Economics Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0455 Paper 4 is 1 hour 15 minutes - practice finishing within this time to build exam stamina.

✅ Self-Marking

Use the mark scheme to score your answers. Look for marking points you missed and understand what examiners expect in Economics responses.

📊 Examiner Reports

Read the 0455 examiner report to see common mistakes. Focus revision on topics where candidates typically lose marks.

🎯 Grade Targets

Check grade thresholds to see how many marks you need for your target grade. An A* in IGCSE Economics typically requires 85-90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE Economics February-March 2022 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Economics (0455) February-March 2022 past papers directly from this page. We provide 6 files including question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports for all variants (11, 12, 13). Click "View" to open in browser or "Download" to save the PDF.
Are 0455 mark schemes included?
Yes, mark schemes for all 0455 February-March 2022 papers are included. Each question paper has a corresponding mark scheme showing expected answers and mark allocation.
What papers are available for IGCSE Economics 0455?
IGCSE Economics (0455) has 2 papers: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice), Paper 2 (Structured Questions). Core tier students take Papers 1, 3, 5/6. Extended tier students take Papers 2, 4, 5/6.
What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?
The three variants (11, 12, 13) are different versions of the same paper used in different time zones to prevent cheating. All variants test the same syllabus content at the same difficulty level. You can practice with any variant as they are equally valid for revision.
How can I practice these past papers effectively?
Use our free Exam Hub to practice past papers like real exams. It lets you view question papers and mark schemes side-by-side, so you can self-mark your answers. No sign-up required, works with any PDF, and your files stay completely private.

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