Former Examiner Reveals Why Students Lose Marks in Economics Essays (Part 2)

Mistake 5: Generic Evaluation That Lacks Depth

One of the most common reasons students miss out on the highest marks is weak evaluation.

Many essays end with statements such as:

  • “It depends.”
  • “There are advantages and disadvantages.”
  • “The policy may not always work.”

These statements are not wrong—but by themselves, they add very little value.

Strong evaluation explains what it depends on and why those factors matter.

For example, consider a question on whether raising indirect taxes can reduce the consumption of demerit goods.

A weaker evaluation might say:

“The policy depends on the price elasticity of demand.”

A stronger evaluation develops the idea:

“The effectiveness of higher indirect taxes depends largely on the price elasticity of demand. If demand is relatively price inelastic, consumers may continue purchasing the product despite higher prices, resulting in only a modest reduction in consumption. In contrast, if demand is more price elastic because close substitutes are available, the same tax increase is more likely to discourage consumption.”

The difference is the explanation.

Evaluation should deepen your analysis, not simply qualify it.

Mistake 6: Using Examples Without Explaining Their Relevance

Students often include impressive examples from Singapore or other countries.

Examples alone do not earn many marks.

The key is explaining how the example supports the economic argument.

For instance, mentioning the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system is only useful if you explain how it influences demand, allocates scarce road space or affects externalities associated with vehicle ownership.

Likewise, referring to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) should be linked clearly to indirect taxation, consumer behaviour, inflationary effects or government revenue, depending on the question.

Every example should strengthen your analysis rather than interrupt it.

Mistake 7: Treating Every Question the Same

Students sometimes apply the same essay structure regardless of the question.

This is risky because different command words require different responses.

For example:

“Explain”

Focus on accurate concepts and logical analysis.

“Discuss”

Present more than one perspective and compare arguments where appropriate.

“Assess”

Weigh competing arguments before reaching a justified conclusion.

“Evaluate”

Analyse strengths, limitations and conditions before making a balanced judgement.

Recognising the command word before writing helps ensure your answer matches what the question is asking.

Mistake 8: Weak Paragraph Structure

Many essays contain good ideas that are difficult to follow because they are poorly organised.

A clear paragraph should usually include:

  1. A topic sentence that introduces the main point.
  2. Economic explanation using relevant theory.
  3. Application to the context of the question.
  4. Logical analysis showing cause and effect.
  5. Evaluation where appropriate.
  6. A brief link back to the question.

When each paragraph follows a logical sequence, the overall essay becomes much easier to read and assess.

Mistake 9: Conclusions That Simply Repeat Earlier Points

Some students spend valuable time rewriting their introduction in the conclusion.

A stronger conclusion should do more than summarise.

It should answer the question directly.

For example, if the question asks whether monetary policy is the most effective way to control inflation, the conclusion should state a reasoned judgement based on the analysis presented.

An effective conclusion often considers:

  • The economic context.
  • The relative importance of competing factors.
  • The conditions under which the argument is most convincing.

A concise, well-supported judgement is usually more effective than a lengthy repetition of earlier paragraphs.

Mistake 10: Not Learning from Previous Essays

Perhaps the most avoidable mistake is failing to review completed work.

Many students complete essay after essay but rarely analyse why marks were lost.

Improvement comes from identifying recurring patterns.

Ask yourself after every practice essay:

  • Did I answer the question directly?
  • Were my definitions accurate?
  • Was my chain of analysis complete?
  • Did I apply theory to the context?
  • Was my evaluation specific?
  • Did I support my judgement with economic reasoning?

Keeping a record of common mistakes helps ensure they are not repeated in future essays.

Five Habits of Students Who Improve Consistently

Students who make steady progress often share several habits.

They Plan Before Writing

Even a brief plan helps organise arguments and prevents repetition.

They Prioritise Understanding Over Memorisation

Instead of memorising complete essays, they understand the logic behind each argument.

They Practise Under Timed Conditions

Regular timed practice improves both confidence and examination technique.

They Seek Constructive Feedback

Detailed feedback highlights weaknesses that students may not notice themselves.

They Reflect on Mistakes

Every corrected essay becomes an opportunity to improve future performance.

A Practical Essay Checklist

Before submitting an essay, ask yourself:

  • Have I answered the exact question?
  • Are my definitions accurate and relevant?
  • Is every paragraph logically organised?
  • Have I explained each stage of my analysis?
  • Have I applied theory to the context?
  • Is my evaluation specific rather than generic?
  • Does my conclusion provide a clear, justified judgement?
  • Have I managed my time effectively?

Using a checklist consistently can help reduce avoidable mistakes and improve examination performance over time.

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