ABF507 Critical Exam Questions - 8 Must-Know Topics

🔥🔥🔥 CRITICAL: These 8 topic areas are VERY LIKELY to appear on the final exam. The exam typically has ~8 questions. Master these concepts + calculations!

📋 Exam Structure Overview

Topic Area	Weight	Question Type
GDP Measurement	~15-20%	Calculation + Concepts
Elasticity (PED, XED, YED)	~15-20%	Calculation (Midpoint) + Application
Digital Finance & Money Supply	~10-15%	Essay/Analysis
Ageing Population & Investment	~10-15%	Essay/Analysis
Monetary Policy & Crowding Effects	~10-15%	Essay/Analysis
Capital Outflows & M2	~10%	Essay/Analysis
Regression Analysis	~10-15%	Interpretation + Policy
Fiscal vs Monetary Policy	~10%	Comparison Essay

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🔥 TOPIC 1: GDP Measurement & Calculation

Key Concepts to Know:

• GDP Definition (4 key elements)
• 3 Measurement Methods (Production, Income, Expenditure)
• GDP vs GNP vs NDP
• Real GDP vs Nominal GDP
• GDP Deflator & Inflation Rate

Core Formulas

Expenditure Approach: $$GDP = C + I + G + (X - M)$$

Key Related Formulas:

• GNP = GDP + Net Factor Income from Abroad
• NDP = GDP - Depreciation
• GDP Deflator = (Nominal GDP / Real GDP) × 100
• Inflation Rate = [(Deflator₂ - Deflator₁) / Deflator₁] × 100%

Sample Question with Full Solution

Question: Calculate GDP, NDP, and GDP Deflator from the following data:

• C = $500B, I = $200B, G = $150B, X = $80B, M = $100B
• Depreciation = $50B
• Nominal GDP (Year 2) = $900B, Real GDP (Year 2) = $850B

💡 Click to View Complete Solution

Step 1: Calculate GDP $GDP = C + I + G + (X - M)$ $= 500 + 200 + 150 + (80 - 100)$ $= 500 + 200 + 150 - 20 = 830B$

Step 2: Calculate NDP $NDP = GDP - Depreciation = 830 - 50 = 780B$

Step 3: Calculate GDP Deflator $Deflator = \frac{900}{850} \times 100 = 105.88$

Step 4: Inflation Rate (if base year deflator = 100) $Inflation = \frac{105.88 - 100}{100} \times 100% = 5.88%$

Final Answers:

• GDP = $830 billion
• NDP = $780 billion
• GDP Deflator = 105.88
• Inflation Rate = 5.88%

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🔥 TOPIC 2: Elasticity Calculation (Midpoint Method)

Must-Know Elasticity Types:

• PED (Price Elasticity of Demand) - How quantity responds to price changes
• XED (Cross-Price Elasticity) - Substitutes vs Complements
• YED (Income Elasticity) - Normal, Luxury, Inferior goods

CRITICAL: Always use Midpoint Method unless told otherwise!

Core Formulas

Midpoint Method (Standard for all elasticities):

$$PED = \frac{(Q_2 - Q_1) / [(Q_1 + Q_2)/2]}{(P_2 - P_1) / [(P_1 + P_2)/2]}$$

Interpretation Rules: | |Elasticity| | Meaning | Revenue Rule (Price↑) | |------------|---------|----------------------| | > 1 | Elastic | Revenue DECREASES | | < 1 | Inelastic | Revenue INCREASES | | = 1 | Unit Elastic | Revenue UNCHANGED |

XED Interpretation:

• Positive → Substitutes (gas price↑ → EV sales↑)
• Negative → Complements (printer price↑ → ink sales↓)

YED Interpretation:

• 1 → Luxury good (income↑ → demand↑↑)

• 0 < YED < 1 → Necessity
• < 0 → Inferior good (income↑ → demand↓)

Sample Question: Complete Elasticity Analysis

Question: A luxury store observes:

• Price drops from $500 to $400
• Quantity increases from 100 to 140 units Calculate PED and advise on pricing strategy.

💡 Click to View Complete Solution

Step 1: Calculate Midpoint Averages $Q_{avg} = \frac{100 + 140}{2} = 120$ $P_{avg} = \frac{500 + 400}{2} = 450$

Step 2: Calculate % Changes $%\Delta Q = \frac{140 - 100}{120} = \frac{40}{120} = 33.33%$ $%\Delta P = \frac{400 - 500}{450} = \frac{-100}{450} = -22.22%$

Step 3: Calculate PED $PED = \frac{33.33%}{-22.22%} = -1.50$

Answer: PED = -1.50 (|PED| = 1.50)

Classification: ELASTIC demand (|PED| > 1)

Pricing Strategy:

• Lower prices → Higher revenue
• Revenue at $500: 500 × 100 = $50,000
• Revenue at $400: 400 × 140 = $56,000
• Recommendation: Keep prices LOW

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🔥 TOPIC 3: Digital Finance & Money Supply (M2)

Scenario: Digital banks offer high-yield e-savings products. Traditional banks face deposit outflows. Central bank data shows unexplained jump in M2.

Key Concepts:

• M2 = M1 + Savings + Time Deposits + Money Market Funds
• Money Multiplier Effect
• Reserve Requirements
• Digital Finance Disruption

Question Type 1: How Digital Finance Affects Money Supply

Question: Analyze how digital-finance innovation affects the measurement and control of money supply.

💡 Click to View Complete Answer

PART A: Effects on MEASUREMENT of Money Supply

Point 1: Blurred Boundaries Between M1 and M2

• Digital wallets and e-savings allow instant transfers
• Traditional distinction between "transaction" and "savings" accounts breaks down
• M2 may appear higher as funds move faster between categories
• Example: A $10,000 deposit can appear in multiple accounts simultaneously

Point 2: Velocity of Money Increases

• Digital payments are instantaneous
• Same money used more times per period
• Traditional M2 measurements may underestimate economic activity
• Real-time payment systems make money "work harder"

Point 3: Shadow Banking Not Captured

• Peer-to-peer lending platforms create credit outside traditional banking
• FinTech credit not fully reflected in official M2 statistics
• Cryptocurrency holdings exist entirely outside M2

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PART B: Effects on CONTROL of Money Supply

Point 1: Reserve Requirements Become Less Effective

• Digital banks may hold lower reserves (operating online is cheaper)
• Money can flow instantly to non-bank platforms
• Central bank's reserve ratio tool has diminished impact

Point 2: Interest Rate Transmission Weakened

• Digital platforms may offer rates independent of policy rate
• Consumers can quickly switch to highest-yield platform
• Traditional banks lose control of deposit pricing

Point 3: Cross-Border Flows Increase

• Digital finance enables easy international transfers
• Domestic monetary policy affected by global capital movements
• Central bank has less control over domestic money supply

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Question Type 2: Central Bank Adaptation

Question: Suggest 3 approaches for how the central bank should adapt reserve requirements.

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Approach 1: Extend Reserve Requirements to Digital Platforms

• Apply same reserve ratios to e-money issuers and digital wallets
• Ensures level playing field between traditional and digital banks
• Maintains effectiveness of monetary policy transmission
• Example: Require Alipay/WeChat Pay to hold reserves with central bank

Approach 2: Implement Dynamic/Tiered Reserve Requirements

• Adjust reserve ratios based on deposit velocity and risk profile
• Higher reserves for highly liquid digital accounts
• Lower reserves for locked-term deposits
• Use real-time data to calibrate requirements

Approach 3: Introduce Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

• Issue digital currency directly from central bank
• Provides alternative to private digital platforms
• Gives central bank direct control over digital money supply
• Can implement programmable monetary policy

Additional Approach: Enhanced Monitoring & Reporting

• Require real-time transaction reporting from digital platforms
• Develop new metrics beyond traditional M2
• Collaborate internationally on cross-border digital flows

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🔥 TOPIC 4: Ageing Population & Investment

Scenario: Country Bronland has aging population and shrinking labor force. Households increase precautionary savings, but firms reduce investment due to lower demand expectations.

Key Concepts:

• Demographic transition
• Dependency ratio
• Precautionary savings
• Investment determinants
• Fiscal policy limitations

Question Type 1: How Ageing Hinders Investment

Question: Discuss TWO points on how an ageing population may hinder investment.

💡 Click to View Complete Answer

Point 1: Reduced Consumer Demand → Lower Business Investment

• Elderly consume less (no need for houses, cars, furniture)
• Shrinking working-age population = fewer consumers
• Businesses see declining future demand
• Rational response: reduce investment in new capacity
• Example: Japan's "lost decades" - aging demographics contributed to weak investment

Point 2: Labor Shortage → Reduced Marginal Productivity of Capital

• Investment requires workers to operate new capital
• With fewer workers, return on investment decreases
• Marginal productivity of capital falls
• Firms invest less because each new machine generates less output
• Example: A factory is useless without workers

Additional Points (if asked for more):

Point 3: Pension Obligations Crowd Out Corporate Investment

• Companies with defined benefit pensions face rising costs
• More profits go to pension funding, less to reinvestment
• Older workers = higher healthcare and pension expenses

Point 4: Risk Aversion Increases

• Older population prefers safe assets (bonds) over risky investments (stocks)
• Less capital available for business expansion
• Higher cost of equity capital

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Question Type 2: Why Fiscal Policy May Fail

Question: Discuss TWO points on how fiscal policy might fail to stimulate investment under ageing population conditions.

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Point 1: Crowding Out Effect

• Government borrows to fund fiscal stimulus
• Increased demand for loanable funds → higher interest rates
• Higher rates discourage private investment
• In aging economy, savings may be insufficient → crowding out more severe
• Net effect: Government spending replaces rather than adds to investment

Point 2: Ricardian Equivalence / Expectation Effects

• Households expect future tax increases to pay for current spending
• Rational response: save more now (especially elderly concerned about future)
• Increased savings offset stimulus spending
• Aggregate demand remains unchanged
• Investment unchanged because demand unchanged

Additional Points:

Point 3: Structural vs Cyclical Problem

• Fiscal stimulus works for cyclical downturns
• Ageing is a STRUCTURAL problem
• Temporary stimulus cannot fix permanent demographic shift
• Businesses won't invest based on temporary demand boost

Point 4: Rising Healthcare/Pension Spending Limits Fiscal Space

• Government already spending heavily on elderly care
• Less room for productive infrastructure investment
• Fiscal multiplier reduced when spending goes to transfers

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🔥 TOPIC 5: M2 Contraction & Deflation

Scenario: After a major bank failure, households withdrew deposits, reducing M2 by 15%. Investment plunged, and the currency strengthened unexpectedly.

Question: Why M2 Contraction Causes Deflationary Pressure

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Main Transmission Mechanism:

Step 1: M2 Falls → Less Money in Circulation

• Bank failure triggers panic withdrawals
• Money multiplier works in reverse
• Credit creation collapses
• Total money supply shrinks significantly

Step 2: Less Money → Lower Aggregate Demand

• Households and firms have less liquidity
• Consumption (C) falls as people hoard cash
• Investment (I) falls as credit dries up
• AD curve shifts LEFT

Step 3: Lower AD → Downward Pressure on Prices

• With same supply but less demand, prices fall
• Firms cut prices to attract scarce customers
• Wage pressures turn negative
• Deflation begins

Step 4: Deflation Expectations Create Spiral

• If people expect prices to fall, they delay purchases
• Delay reduces demand further
• Creates self-fulfilling deflationary spiral
• Real interest rates rise (nominal rates can't go below zero)

Why Currency Strengthens:

• Less money in circulation → each unit worth more
• Deflation increases purchasing power of domestic currency
• International investors attracted by strengthening currency
• Higher real interest rates attract capital inflows

Additional Effects:

• Debt burden increases in real terms
• Bankruptcies rise as real debt grows
• Investment falls further (debt deflation)
• Economic contraction deepens

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🔥 TOPIC 6: Monetary Easing, Crowding Effects & Capital Outflows

Scenario: Country Araland's central bank unexpectedly reduces policy rate from 3.0% to 1.5% to stimulate growth. Household savings fall slightly, investment surges, inflation expectations rise.

Question Part (i): Crowding Out vs Crowding In

Question: Discuss TWO ways monetary easing may crowd out OR crowd in private investment in the long term.

💡 Click to View Complete Answer

CROWDING IN Effects (Investment INCREASES):

Effect 1: Lower Borrowing Costs Stimulate Investment

• Interest rate falls from 3% to 1.5%
• Cost of capital decreases for businesses
• More investment projects become profitable (NPV positive)
• Firms borrow more to expand capacity
• Private investment "crowded in" by cheap credit

Effect 2: Improved Business Confidence

• Central bank action signals commitment to growth
• Confidence improves → animal spirits revive
• Investment decisions often based on expectations
• Positive sentiment leads to increased capital spending
• Multiplier effects spread through economy

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CROWDING OUT Effects (Investment DECREASES in long run):

Effect 1: Asset Price Inflation Reduces Productive Investment

• Low rates push investors into riskier assets
• Stock prices, property prices inflate
• Capital flows into speculation rather than productive investment
• Creates bubbles that eventually burst
• Long-term investment distorted

Effect 2: Inflation Expectations Create Uncertainty

• Aggressive easing raises inflation expectations
• Uncertainty about future real returns
• Businesses hesitate to commit to long-term investment
• Planning becomes difficult
• Investment may actually decline despite low rates

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Question Part (ii): Capital Outflows

Question: Evaluate TWO potential ways capital outflows may occur.

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Mechanism 1: Interest Rate Differential Drives Hot Money Out

• Domestic interest rate falls from 3% to 1.5%
• Foreign rates remain higher (e.g., US at 4%)
• Carry trade reverses: investors move money abroad
• Capital outflows weaken domestic currency
• Creates downward pressure on exchange rate

Consequences:

• Currency depreciation increases import prices
• Central bank may need to intervene
• Foreign exchange reserves depleted
• Can trigger financial instability

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Mechanism 2: Loss of Confidence in Policy / Currency

• Unexpected, aggressive rate cut may signal desperation
• Investors question central bank credibility
• Fear of future inflation or currency collapse
• Capital flight to "safe haven" currencies (USD, CHF)
• Self-fulfilling crisis possible

Consequences:

• Stock market sells off
• Bond yields may rise despite rate cut (risk premium)
• Economic instability worsens
• Policy objective undermined

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Mitigating Factors (may slow outflows):

• Capital controls if in place
• Currency depreciation makes exports competitive
• Higher inflation expectations may attract some investors betting on assets

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🔥 TOPIC 7: Regression Analysis & Interpretation

Regression Model: $$CO_2 = 1.8 + 0.6 \times GDPcapita_{(2.00)} + 0.4 \times Gini_{(2.01)} - 0.3 \times GreenInvestment_{(3.21)}$$

Where figures in brackets are t-statistics.

Decision Rule: |t| > 2 → Statistically significant at 5% level

Question: Interpret Effects of Inequality and Green Investment

Question: Debate TWO points each on how inequality and green investment affect environmental outcomes in ASEAN, specifically referring to the regression results.

💡 Click to View Complete Answer

PART A: Effect of Inequality (Gini) on CO₂

Coefficient: +0.4 (t = 2.01, significant at 5%)

Point 1: Higher Inequality → Higher Emissions (Direct Effect)

• Coefficient = +0.4 means: for every 1-unit increase in Gini, CO₂ increases by 0.4 units
• Statistically significant (t = 2.01 > 2)
• Explanation: Wealthy elites consume disproportionately more (private jets, multiple homes)
• Economic polarization reduces collective action on environment
• Political power of rich may block environmental regulations

Point 2: Counter-argument - Inequality May Not Be the True Cause

• Correlation ≠ causation
• Gini may correlate with development stage
• Rapidly growing countries often have both high Gini AND high emissions
• Omitted variable bias possible (industrialization affects both)
• Policy implication: focus on growth pattern, not just inequality

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PART B: Effect of Green Investment on CO₂

Coefficient: -0.3 (t = 3.21, highly significant)

Point 1: Green Investment Reduces Emissions (Strong Evidence)

• Coefficient = -0.3 means: each unit of green investment reduces CO₂ by 0.3 units
• Highly significant (t = 3.21 > 2)
• Explanation: Investment in renewable energy, clean technology
• Replaces fossil fuel infrastructure
• Creates sustainable production methods
• Policy implication: Strong support for green investment incentives

Point 2: Counter-argument - Diminishing Returns / Time Lag

• Initial green investments have high impact
• May show diminishing returns over time
• Benefits may take years to materialize
• Current data may underestimate long-term effects
• Political will needed for sustained investment

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Policy Recommendations Based on Results:

1. Reduce inequality through progressive taxation and social programs
2. Increase green investment through subsidies and carbon pricing
3. Focus on sustainable development not just GDP growth

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🔥 TOPIC 8: Fiscal Policy vs Monetary Policy Comparison

Key Comparison Points:

• Who controls? (Central Bank vs Government)
• Tools used
• Transmission mechanism
• Speed of implementation
• Limitations

Complete Comparison Table

💡 Click to View Complete Comparison

Aspect	Monetary Policy	Fiscal Policy
Authority	Central Bank (independent)	Government (political)
Main Tools	Interest rates, Open Market Operations, Reserve Requirements	Government Spending, Taxation
Expansionary	Lower rates, Buy bonds, Lower reserves	Increase G, Cut taxes
Contractionary	Raise rates, Sell bonds, Raise reserves	Cut G, Raise taxes
Speed	Fast (weeks)	Slow (months for legislation)
Precision	Less precise (indirect)	More targeted (specific sectors)
Political	Independent, less political	Highly political
Limitations	Liquidity trap, time lags	Crowding out, legislative delays

When Each Works Best:

• Monetary Policy: Fine-tuning, inflation control, financial stability
• Fiscal Policy: Deep recession, infrastructure investment, targeted support

Transmission Mechanisms:

Monetary: $\text{Rate Cut} \rightarrow \text{Cheaper Borrowing} \rightarrow C\uparrow + I\uparrow \rightarrow AD\uparrow$

Fiscal: $G\uparrow \text{ or } T\downarrow \rightarrow \text{More Spending} \rightarrow AD\uparrow$

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📊 Summary: 8 Topics at a Glance

#	Topic	Key Formula/Concept	Exam Tip
1	GDP	C + I + G + (X-M)	Know 3 methods + deflator
2	Elasticity	Midpoint Method	Calculate + interpret + revenue
3	Digital Finance	M2 = M1 + savings	Central bank adaptation
4	Ageing & Investment	Demographics	Structural vs cyclical
5	M2 & Deflation	Money supply contraction	Deflationary spiral
6	Crowding Effects	Interest rates	In vs Out
7	Regression	t-stat > 2 = significant	Policy implications
8	Monetary vs Fiscal	Compare tools	Know limitations

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🎯 Final Exam Checklist

Before the exam, make sure you can:

• Calculate GDP using expenditure approach
• Calculate Real GDP, GDP Deflator, Inflation Rate
• Apply Midpoint Method for any elasticity type
• Interpret PED, XED, YED values
• Explain how digital finance affects M2
• Discuss ageing population's impact on investment
• Analyze M2 contraction → deflation mechanism
• Distinguish crowding in vs crowding out
• Interpret regression coefficients and t-statistics
• Compare monetary and fiscal policy

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Last updated: January 25, 2026