Welcome to the 67th edition of our Newsletter EdGenie's 📜 Sunday Scroll...

Every Sunday I send out actionable tips, tricks and real-world application insights from my 15 year experience coaching students to achieve As and A*s in their Economics A Levels via EdGenie.

Hey Genies, 🧞‍♂️


I’ve seen this happen far too often.

A test is approaching, and students do the exact opposite of what they should be doing to prepare.

 Here’s what I mean.

 This is how you shouldn’t prepare for a test:

Writing endless flashcards. 🗂️

Memorising definitions and theory word-for-word. 🧠

Binge-watching videos or re-reading notes thinking it’s enough. 📖

Sounds familiar?

Let me tell you something.

That isn’t how you revise effectively.

Here’s the right approach:

1️⃣ Start by finding out what’s actually being tested.

• Which topics are being covered?
• What’s the structure of the test? Is it MCQs, short answers, or essay-based?

Without knowing this, you’re wasting time.

2️⃣ Focus your learning on what’s coming up.

• If it’s Market Failure, don’t spend hours revising Economic Growth.
• If it’s 15-markers, don’t focus all your time on practising multiple-choice questions.

3️⃣ Practise the exact question types you’ll face.

• Learn the topics, but more importantly, apply that knowledge to the test structure.
• Answer past questions. Practise. Make mistakes. Learn.

4️⃣ Get feedback.

• Don’t just practise blindly. Get your answers checked.
• Without feedback, how do you know if you’re doing it right?

Let me make this simple.

Imagine you’re sitting an Economics test next week.

Let’s say the topic is Taxation and Subsidies, and the test includes short-form and 25-marker questions.

Here’s how you prep:

• Learn your taxation and subsidies and the market failures they look to solve.
• Go straight to practising questions like:
• “Explain the impact of a subsidy on the market for electric vehicles.”
• “Evaluate the effectiveness of indirect taxes in reducing the consumption of demerit goods.”

Don’t stop there.

Hand those answers in for feedback. 🔃

Find out what’s missing, refine your approach, and get it spot on.

This is whatEdGenie  is all about.

Focused learning. Purposeful practice. Targeted feedback.

That’s how you go from average to exceptional.

So, for your next test, skip the flashcards.

Use your time wisely and watch the difference it makes.

Best,

Emre

P.S. Ready to connect theory to real-world application and level up your grades? Join EdGenie today and let’s get to work. 🚀

🌱 Historic Innovation: The Victorian East End saw Alexander Parkes invent the first plastic, Parkesine; today, Notpla, a startup in the same area, uses seaweed to create biodegradable alternatives.

🍄 Eco-Friendly Innovations: Firms like Notpla, Traceless, IKEA, and C&A are exploring natural polymers like mushrooms, seaweed, and agricultural waste to reduce reliance on plastics.

🌊 Plastic’s Grim Impact: Around 500m tonnes of plastic will be produced this year, with most ending up in landfills or oceans. Plastic accounts for 3% of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

🌍 Global Treaty Efforts: The UN is working on a treaty to reduce plastic's environmental impact, aiming to enforce global recycling rules by next year.

🥤 Corporate Steps: Companies like Coca-Cola and Nestlé are adopting sustainable practices, with transparent bottles and alternative packaging materials gaining momentum.

💸 Challenges of Cost: Sustainable packaging, like seaweed-coated trays, costs significantly more than plastic, testing consumers’ willingness to pay extra for eco-friendly options.

🛍️ Consumer Demand: Surveys show over 80% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, though actual shopping behaviour remains uncertain.

🚀 Future Innovation: Venture capital investment in sustainable-packaging startups has surged, indicating growing interest and potential solutions in the years ahead.

Q. Explain why natural polymers like seaweed might be considered a more sustainable alternative to plastics.
A. Natural polymers, such as seaweed, are biodegradable, decomposing quickly without causing long-term environmental damage. Unlike plastics derived from fossil fuels, they reduce greenhouse gas emissions during production and disposal. However, their sustainability depends on the environmental impact of sourcing and processing these materials.

Q. Analyse the implications of a global plastic treaty for multinational companies.
​A. A global treaty would harmonise regulations, simplifying compliance for multinational companies dealing with fragmented national rules. It could encourage innovation in sustainable materials but may also increase costs for firms transitioning to alternative packaging. The treaty's effectiveness depends on enforcement and the support given to developing nations to adapt.

Q. Discuss how consumer behaviour influences the adoption of sustainable packaging.
​A. Consumer willingness to pay a premium for sustainable packaging can drive its adoption, as indicated by surveys showing over 80% support. However, actual purchasing decisions may differ due to price sensitivity or convenience preferences. Firms must balance consumer demand with the higher costs of sustainable materials to achieve widespread usage.
​
​Q. Examine the role of venture capital in driving innovation in sustainable packaging.
A. Venture capital provides the necessary funding for startups to research and develop innovative materials like seaweed-based packaging. This investment has surged in recent years, reflecting growing interest in environmental sustainability. However, the success of these innovations depends on market acceptance, scalability, and achieving cost competitiveness with traditional plastics.

If you or your child are looking to Boost your A level Economics Grades in under 30 days, I'd recommend starting with an all-in-one support network where you get 24/7 access to a SuperTutor:

→ Join EdGenie 🧞‍♂️: Transform your A-Level Economics essays and exam marks (genuinely) with our comprehensive on-demand learning platform. This carefully curated course blends engaging content with effective exam techniques, the same ones that have empowered over 1,000 of my students to achieve an A or A* over the last 13 years.