America’s premier high-school economics competition
The National Economics Challenge is the most influential high-school economics competition in the United States — organised by the Council for Economic Education and now reaching students worldwide, including through the China National Round (CNEC).
Where curious students become economists
The National Economics Challenge brings nearly 10,000 students each year through microeconomics, macroeconomics and the world economy — from regional rounds to a national finals. For more than two decades it has been recognised as a gold-standard academic competition in economics.
It is built to develop knowledge, confidence and camaraderie: students prepare in teams, debate real cases, present to judges, and compete live on a stage that universities and employers recognise.
NEC rewards students who can do more than memorise — it asks them to reason like economists, together, under pressure.
NEC at a glance
Council for Economic Education (CEE)
NEC is organised by the Council for Economic Education — a widely recognised authority on K–12 economic and financial-literacy standards in the United States. Through its courses, publications and national programmes, CEE reaches students and teachers across the country.
NEC is its flagship competition. In China, it runs as the China National Economics Challenge (CNEC) — the official pathway from the China National Round to the NEC Global Rounds.
Our team operates as a 2027 Test Center authorized by the China National Economics Challenge (CNEC) — awarded by SKT Education Group, with academic standards from the Council for Economic Education (CEE) — supporting schools and students across China from registration and team formation through to the national finals.
This website (en.nec.org.cn) is independently operated by Hanlin International Education, and is dedicated to competition information and competition services — registration & team formation, coaching, and preparation support.
Our coaches are NEC-certified mentors and competition judges — and have guided an Adam Smith Division team to the top overall team score at the 2024–2025 NEC Global Finals.
Explore the China National Round →Our 2027 CNEC test-center authorization
Shanghai Linstitute School is a 2027 Test Center authorized by the China National Economics Challenge (CNEC) — awarded by SKT Education Group, with academic standards from the Council for Economic Education (CEE).
Tap the certificate to view it full size.
More than a line on an application
NEC develops the kind of thinking selective universities — and future employers — look for, and gives students a credible way to show it.
Real rigour
Students are tested the way economists actually reason — theory plus applied analysis across micro, macro and the world economy.
A recognised signal
A national-level result is a credible, verifiable signal of genuine ability in economics on a university application.
A team, not a solo
Four-student teams learn to research, present and think under pressure — skills that outlast any single exam.
A competition with a reputation
NEC’s national finals have been covered by major media and judged by leading figures in economics and finance. For students, that visibility is part of the value: a strong NEC result is a credential admissions officers understand.
- A long-running, nationally recognised academic competition
- Finals judged by respected economists and industry leaders
- A standard now carried to students worldwide through CNEC
Competing from China?
The China National Round (CNEC) carries the full NEC standard to students across China — with its own schedule, registration and an official test-center pathway to the global finals.
Go to the China hub →Common questions
What is the National Economics Challenge?
It is the premier high-school economics competition in the United States, testing micro, macro and the world economy in teams of four.
Who organises NEC?
The Council for Economic Education (CEE), a recognised authority on K-12 economic and financial-literacy standards. In China it runs as CNEC.
Is NEC recognised by universities?
It is a long-running, nationally recognised academic competition, and a strong result is a credible signal of ability in economics.