Skip to main content

EconChallenge

Welcome to the 2026 Pennsylvania State Economics Challenge!!

Spring 2026 Session:  March 2-March 27

What is the ECON Challenge? 

Every year, Susquehanna University's Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship Education hosts the Pennsylvania Economics Challenge. The Challenge is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of Economics by competing with other students across the state in online examinations.  

There are two divisions in the Economics Challenge:

  • Adam Smith: For returning competitors, AP or Dual Enrollment
  • David Ricardo: For first-time competitors taking a one-semester economics course.

How does the challenge work?

Teams of 3-4 students will have 35 minutes to complete a 30-question online exam covering a broad variety of economic principles. Each student will complete the exam independently and must be proctored by a school official. Students earn 10 points for every correct response and 0 points for each incorrect answer. Every question must be answered to move on, and students are not able to go back to previous questions.  

  • Free Practice Session is open!-  To take the practice test, choose "Practice" on the left hand column.
  • March 2, 2026 to March 27, 2026- Teams login and face the Challenge!
  • April 15, 2026- Winners are announced!! The top team from each division will be invited to compete in the National Semi-Finals (online).
  • April 20, 2026 to April 24, 2026- Top team from each division will compete in a proctored online test for a chance to advance to the National Economics Challenge Finals.
  • May 1, 2026- Teams advancing to National Finals will be notified.
  • Final- Top 8 teams nationally (4 from each division) will advance to the final competition in Atlanta, Georgia in the Finals Quiz Bowl from May 28 - May 29.
  • Dates are subject to change.

Next Steps

  1. If you are new to the Pennsylvania Economics Challenge, welcome! You will need to select "Teacher Registration" from the menu and create your teacher profile. Once you profile is created, you will be able to log in and begin creating your teams.
  2. If you are a returning teacher, welcome back! Your profile information is saved from your          previous participation, and you can log in to begin creating your teams for this year's challenge!
  3. Teachers sign up their team(s).  *You may sign up multiple teams on your teacher admin page, after you log-in  -- no need to register more than once.