Teacher Tools
Resources for AP Economics teachers: CED alignment, classroom activity ideas, and tips for assigning the platform to students.
What's on APEconLabs
Every tool on this site is free and works on any device. Students can create a free account or use it without one. Progress is saved locally in the student's browser.
Concept Pages
Every AP Macro/Micro concept explained at a 5th-grade reading level with an analogy, key points, and a self-quiz. Students mark concepts complete to track progress.
View Macro Units →
Flashcards
Unit-by-unit flashcard decks with term and definition. Students flip cards, self-grade, and track weak spots. Great for vocabulary review before a test.
FRQ Practice
Worked FRQ examples with step-by-step scoring breakdowns. Students see what a full-credit response looks like for both Macro and Micro.
View FRQ Review →
Formula Reference
All AP Macro and Micro formulas in one printable sheet — GDP, money multiplier, price elasticity, and more. Ideal for display or student handout.
View Formulas →
Glossary
Searchable glossary with simple and formal definitions for every key term in both courses. Students can filter by Macro or Micro.
View Glossary →
Score Calculator
Converts raw MCQ and FRQ scores into predicted AP scores (1–5) for both Macro and Micro. Useful for mock exam analysis and goal-setting.
View Score Calc →
CED Alignment
APEconLabs covers all six units of the AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics Course and Exam Description (CED, Fall 2022 edition).
| # | AP Macro Unit | AP Micro Unit | Site Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic Economic Concepts Scarcity, Opportunity Cost, PPC, Comparative Advantage |
Basic Economic Concepts Scarcity, PPC, Comparative Advantage, Economic Systems |
Macro U1Micro U1 |
| 2 | Economic Indicators & Business Cycle GDP, Unemployment, Inflation, CPI, Business Cycle |
Supply and Demand Market Equilibrium, Elasticity, Consumer/Producer Surplus |
Macro U2Micro U2 |
| 3 | National Income & Price Determination Aggregate Demand, AS, Fiscal Policy, AD-AS Model |
Production, Cost & Perfect Competition Production, Costs, Profit Maximization, Long-Run |
Macro U3Micro U3 |
| 4 | Financial Sector Money, Banking, Federal Reserve, Monetary Policy |
Imperfect Competition Monopoly, Oligopoly, Monopolistic Competition |
Macro U4Micro U4 |
| 5 | Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies Phillips Curve, Loanable Funds, Crowding Out, Economic Growth |
Factor Markets Labor, Capital, Land — MRP, MRC, Wage Determination |
Macro U5Micro U5 |
| 6 | Open Economy — International Trade & Finance Balance of Payments, Exchange Rates, Comparative Advantage |
Market Failure & Role of Government Externalities, Public Goods, Income Inequality, Tax Incidence |
Macro U6Micro U6 |
Exam weight: Macro Units 3–4 account for ~35% of the MCQ. Micro Units 2–3 account for ~35–40%. Content coverage prioritizes the highest-weight topics with more practice questions, worked examples, and graph practice for those units.
Classroom Activity Ideas
Ways to incorporate APEconLabs into your instruction — whole-class, small-group, and independent study formats.
Whole-class · 5–10 min
Concept Opener Projection
Project a concept page on the board at the start of class. Use the analogy section to introduce a new topic in accessible language, then transition to the formal lesson. Works great for complex topics like comparative advantage or the money multiplier.
Partner work · 15 min
Flashcard Partner Drill
Assign students to open the flashcard deck for the current unit. Partners take turns: one reads the term, one gives the definition from memory, then flips to check. They mark cards they struggled with to review before the next class.
Independent · Ongoing
Self-Paced Unit Mastery
Assign a unit each week. Students read each concept, complete the embedded quizzes, and mark concepts complete. They share their dashboard with you at the end of the week as a participation check. Students can sign in or use it without an account. Either way, they just share a screenshot with you.
Exam prep · 30–45 min
FRQ Simulation
Open the FRQ Review page on the projector and work through an FRQ prompt together. Show students the ideal answer structure, scoring logic, and common errors. Then assign a different FRQ for students to write individually using the FRQ Practice page.
Warm-up · 3–5 min
Glossary Term of the Day
Display a term from the Glossary on the projector. Ask students to write down the definition in their own words before revealing it. The glossary shows both a simple definition and a formal definition — use the simple one for discussion, the formal for notes.