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EconChallenge

How it Works

How It Works

The Massachusettes Council, a program of Council for Economic Education, is excited to host the 2024 MA Economics Challenge Program! The MA EconChallenge is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of Economic Literacy by competing with other students.

Students and teachers in Massachusettes begin the challenge by participating in a preliminary first round of the Challenge online. Teachers and students throughout the state will be able to participate, regardless of travel or budgetary constraints. In the first round, each team of three to four students in three divisions will complete online exams that cover topics in macro, micro and international economics.

Take a look at CEE's National Economics Challenge Resources - EconEdLink Collection for the NEC.

Division Eligibility

All high school students are eligible. No formal courses in economics are required. Any team of students interested in economics is encouraged to compete. Schools may enter multiple teams in their qualifying divisions.

Division Eligibility along with the rules governing the National Economics Challenge are fully outlined on NEC's Official Rules & Eligibilty.

Team Divisions 

  • There are two divisions: David Ricardo and Adam Smith.
  • The David Ricardo Division includes teams of students currently or previously enrolled in one general economics course (or less), or courses which include introductory economic concepts (social studies, business, personal finance, etc.). The course must be taught by a secondary teacher. Students who have never taken an economics course are eligible to compete. Students may only participate in the David Ricardo Division one time.
  • The Adam Smith Division includes teams of students, currently or previously enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, or both), International Baccalaureate (pre-IB and IB), honors, two courses, or any other advanced courses in economics (including courses taught by a secondary teacher where students earn college credit). The course must be taught by a secondary teacher. Students may participate in the Adam Smith Division multiple times.
  • Any team consisting of one or more students enrolled in a course listed in A.1.c. must compete in the Adam Smith Division.
  • Teams shall only compete against other teams in their own division.

Timeline

Registration for the spring EconChallenge ONLINE! begins on January 1, 2024.

Once registered, teachers will be able to create their student teams.

Students will be able to participate in the MA EconChallenge ONLINE! until April 5, 2024, 11:59 PM EST when the testing window closes.