CSQ: Paper 1 Question Types

What are Trend Questions? (Type of CS Question)

Questions asking to describe, compare or state trends in data.

What is the General Mark Scheme for a [2] marks Trend Question?

[1] mark for General Trend, [1] mark for Refinement.

What is a General Trend?

Overall comparison of value at start vs. end of time period (increasing, decreasing, no change).

What is Refinement? (General Trend)

Identifying an anomaly (preferred), rates of change, or other significant features to better describe data.

What is a common mistake for Trend Questions?

Giving period-by-period or year-by-year descriptions instead of interpreting essential points.

What should you be succinct and precise about in Trend Questions?

Interpreting data and describing essential or most significant points in the general trend and refinement.

What is important regarding the time period in Trend Questions?

Only describe the trend for the relevant time period stated in the question stem.

What are Comparison or Relationship Questions? (Type of CS Question)

Questions asking to compare or distinguish, or identify relationships in data.

What is the General Mark Scheme for a [2] marks "Compare" Question?

[1] mark for Similarity, [1] mark for Difference. (Or two points of difference if no similarity is evident).

What is the General Mark Scheme for a [1] mark "Relationship" Question?

[1] mark for direct/positive OR inverse/negative relationship.

What is a common mistake for Relationship Questions?

Describing trends separately when the question asks for the relationship between them.

What is important regarding language in Relationship Questions?

Be accurate: "inversely proportional" ≠ "inversely related."

What are Index Number / Indices Questions? (Type of CS Question)

Questions using index numbers to simplify data, measuring variable value relative to a base year.

What is the base year index value usually normalized to?

100.

Do Index numbers have specified units?

No.

What is the formula for an Index number in current year?

Current year value / Base year value

What is a common mistake for Index Number Questions?

Comparing index numbers across different variables directly (base years may differ).

What is the calculation for percentage increase from an index number change (e.g., 110 to 200)?

(200 - 110) / 110

What are Rates of Change Questions? (Type of CS Question)

Questions providing rates of change (percentages) for economic variables, requiring interpretation of general trends.

How do you interpret general trends from rates of change data?

By discerning and interpreting the rates of change data first (e.g., Positive % change -> increasing at an increasing/decreasing rate).

What are Short Answer Questions? (Type of CS Question)

Questions with mark allocations from [2] to [6] marks.

What are common command words for Short Answer Questions?

"suggest", "explain what/how/why", "illustrate", "account for", "explain whether".

What is required for Short Answer Questions?

Explanation of concept tested with application to the given context within case materials.

What does "explain whether" require? (Command Word)

A two-sided response with both perspectives presented, and a final concise stand in support of either side.

What are Higher Order Questions? (Type of CS Question)

Questions requiring more application, analysis, and evaluation skills, typically [8] or [10] marks.

What are common command words for Higher Order Questions?

"discuss", "assess", "comment on", "evaluate", "analyse".

What skills apply to Higher Order Questions in case studies?

Similar skills to essay questions.

What are the 2 segments of rubrics for Higher Order Questions?

Level marks (L) and Evaluation marks (E).

What is the mark allocation for an [8] mark question?

L marks = max 6 marks, E marks = max 2 marks.

What is the mark allocation for a [10] mark question?

L marks = max 7 marks, E marks = max 3 marks.