Introduction

Short answer questions in HSC Economics can make or break your exam mark. They're often only 4–6 marks, but they test both content knowledge and writing precision.

Here are the most common mistakes students make - and how to avoid them.

1. Writing Essays Instead of Short Answers

Short answers need concise, structured responses, not long paragraphs. Keep it to:

A clear definition or explanation
One or two examples
A link to the question

Use dot points if allowed. Always aim for clarity over complexity.

2. Forgetting the Syllabus Verbs

Words like "explain," "analyse," "assess" matter. If you only describe when the question asks you to analyse, you won't get full marks.

Use the command term to guide how deep your answer should go.

3. Not Including Real-World Examples

You need up-to-date examples to back up your response - especially when discussing:

Fiscal policy
Monetary policy
Unemployment
Exchange rates
Globalisation

These don't have to be long - just accurate and relevant. A quick stat or news reference can help you stand out.

4. Misusing Economic Terminology

Don't just throw in big terms - use them correctly. Words like "opportunity cost," "inflation," "aggregate demand," and "structural unemployment" must be defined accurately and used in context.

5. Not Practising Under Time Pressure

It's easy to know content - but hard to write well when the clock is ticking. Use Study Marker's quiz generator to build short answer question sets and practise them in 10–15 minute sprints.

You can also submit your answers to get real feedback on:

Clarity
Terminology
Structure
Concept understanding

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