AP® Macroeconomics

Advanced Placement® (AP) Macroeconomics is a single semester course that explores the concepts and theories to help student think like economists by using principles and models to illustrate economic scenarios while predicting and explaining outcomes. This college-level course is designed to introduce students to the principles that apply to the entire economic system. This includes an emphasis on the study of price-level determination and national income. Students will explore economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. A variety of graphs, charts, and data will be used to help students learn how to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.

About AP® Courses

Advanced Placement® (AP) courses are equivalent to college-level courses. We highly recommend that you review the College Board’s AP Macroeconomics Course Information page before beginning this course. Students are required to take the UTHS final exam for each semester course to earn high school credit. Students wanting to earn college credit may take the AP® exam offered by the College Board after completing the course; however, it is not required to receive credit for the course from UT High School. 

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• describe economic concepts, principles, or models;
• identify an economic concept, principle, or model illustrated by an example, using quantitative data, or calculations;
• describe the similarities, differences, and limitations of economic concepts, principles, or models;
• using economic concepts, principles, or models, explain how a specific economic outcome occurs, including when there are multiple contributing variables and interpret the specific economic outcome using quantitative data or calculations;
• determine the outcome of an economic situation using economic concepts, principles, or models;
• determine the effect(s) of one or more changes on other economic markets including using quantitative data or calculations;
• draw an accurately labeled graph or visual to represent an economic model or market;
• demonstrate your understanding of a specific economic situation on an accurately labeled graph or visual;
• demonstrate the effect of a change in an economic situation on an accurately labeled graph or visual. 

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.  

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook: Krugman's Macroeconomics for the AP Course (4th ed.) by Margaret Ray and David Anderson  
  • Publisher: Bedford, Freeman, & Worth
  • ISBN#: 9781319409333
• Scientific Calculator
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand:
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue 

This semester includes:

• 6 Units
• 14 Graded Assignments
• 1 final exam

You must take and pass each semester’s final exam to receive credit for the course. After taking the semester B exam, you may take the AP^® Calculus exam offered by the CollegeBoard, but it is not required to receive credit for the course from UT High School.

The final examination is comprehensive; it covers the material from all units. To pass the course, you must receive a grade of 70 percent or better. You can apply to take the Final Exam after 100 percent of your graded assignments have been submitted, and at least 70 percent have been graded and returned to you.

• Format: Multiple-choice, online
• Time Allowed: 3 hours

• Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts
• Unit 2: Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle
• Unit 3: National Income and Price Determination
• Unit 4: Financial Sector
• Unit 5: Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies
• Unit 6: Open Economy—International Trade and Finance