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National Economics Challenge

The only national economics competition for United States high school students, run in two divisions.

Run by Council for Economic Education

Official website Reviews and tips

Key facts

Eligible grades
High school. Students must be enrolled in a public high school, private high school, or home-based high school. Middle school students cannot compete.
Source, checked 2026-09-02
Official divisions
Two divisions by coursework, not grade: David Ricardo for students with no more than one general economics course, and Adam Smith for those in AP, IB or honours economics. Home-schooled students must compete in Adam Smith regardless of coursework, and a student may enter David Ricardo only once.
Based on the organiser's own divisions.
Eligible ages
Not confirmed. This organiser may set eligibility by grade rather than age. We do not convert one into the other.
CEE sets eligibility by school level and coursework, not age.
Individual or team
Team · Teams of 3 to 4 students from the same public or private school, community organisation, club or after-school programme, with a coach affiliated to that school or programme. Each student may be on only one team. If a member drops out you may substitute or continue with three.
Where it runs
Online and in person · United States
Entry cost
Free to enterSet by state councils; not published nationally. Some states run it at no cost to schools.
Registration deadline
Set locally, not published as a single national date Set by each state, not nationally, and they vary. As an example of the shape, Arkansas required teams registered and tested by 20 February for its state round. National Finals teams have historically been announced by around 1 May and must confirm participation via an online form. Find your state coordinator's dates.
Competition dates
Online state rounds in the spring, national semifinal and final in late spring.
Difficulty
CompetitiveSerious preparation over a season. Advancing past the first round separates prepared students from unprepared ones.
Prizes
Cash prizes for national finalistsCash prizes are awarded at the national level; amounts were not confirmed on the pages checked.

What National Economics Challenge is

The National Economics Challenge is a team competition in microeconomics, macroeconomics and international economics, run by the Council for Economic Education. Teams of up to four students compete online in state rounds, and qualifying teams advance to a national semifinal and then a live final that includes a quiz-bowl style critical thinking round. There are two divisions, one for students who have taken an advanced economics course and one for those who have not, which keeps it accessible.

How the competition works

A qualifying round of multiple-choice questions under time pressure, for example 30 questions in 35 minutes with no pausing or skipping and no outside assistance, then critical thinking and quiz bowl rounds at higher levels. Topics cover micro and macro principles and the world economy.

Eligibility notes

Division placement depends on the economics coursework team members have taken. Teams must be registered by a teacher or coach.

How to register

  1. Find a teacher willing to coach and register the team. Teams cannot self-register.
  2. Assemble up to four students and determine your division based on the economics coursework members have taken.
  3. Register through the Council for Economic Education site during the registration window.
  4. Take the online exams in microeconomics, macroeconomics and international economics.

Register on the official site

What skills you need

  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • International economics
  • Graph interpretation
  • Rapid recall for the final round

Recommended resources

Past problems and materials

Only materials the organiser or an authorised archive publishes openly are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

Which division should my team enter?

The David Ricardo division is for students who have not taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or honours economics; the Adam Smith division is for those who have. Entering the wrong division is a rules violation, so check the current definitions carefully.

Does it cost anything?

The competition itself is free to enter, and travel for national finalists has historically been covered. Confirm the current arrangements on the official site.

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