The Advanced Level exam is approaching, and you might be asking yourself: “Is it too late to start studying?”
The honest answer is no—but only if you have a strategy. Trying to memorize the entire Economics textbook cover-to-cover in the final weeks is a recipe for burnout. Instead, you need a targeted revision plan.
Whether you are aiming for an ‘A’ or just trying to pass, this 3-month roadmap is designed to help you cover the essential theory and master the exam technique.
Month 1: The “Foundation” Phase (Micro + 20% Past Papers)
Don’t try to do everything at once. The first month is about securing your base.
- Focus Area: Microeconomics (Demand, Supply, Elasticity, Market Structures). This is the most technical part of the syllabus and usually carries the most marks in the MCQ section.
- Action Plan:
- Review one theory topic per week.
- Crucial Step: Immediately after studying a topic (e.g., Elasticity), do the past paper questions related only to that topic from the last 10 years. Do not attempt full papers yet.
- Goal: Master the graphs. If you can draw the graphs for Perfect Competition vs. Monopoly from memory, you are winning.
Month 2: The “Application” Phase (Macro + 50% Past Papers)
Now we move to the bigger picture.
- Focus Area: Macroeconomics (National Accounting, Inflation, Exchange Rates) and Current Trends.
- Action Plan:
- This is where essay writing becomes critical. Practice writing 15-mark essay answers on topics like “Inflation” and “Fiscal Policy.”
- Start looking at Model Papers. These are often harder than past papers and prepare you for difficult questions.
- Goal: Connect theory to the Sri Lankan context (as discussed in our previous post on the Economic Crisis).
Month 3: The “Exam Mode” Phase (100% Past Papers)
Stop reading textbooks. This month is about speed.
- Focus Area: Time Management.
- Action Plan:
- Simulate the Exam: Every Saturday, sit down at 8:30 AM and write a full Paper II under strict exam conditions (3 hours). No phone, no notes.
- Mark Yourself: Be harsh. If you missed a label on a graph, deduct the mark.
- Goal: Train your brain to focus for 3 hours straight without fatigue.
The Golden Rule: Quality > Quantity
Studying for 3 hours with total focus is better than staring at a book for 10 hours while scrolling TikTok.
📅 Need Help Sticking to the Plan?
We have created resources to keep you on track.