FAQ

01. Can I participate in the NEC Challenge as an individual?

No. The NEC Challenge requires participation in teams:

  • PRE Division (Beginner): 2–4 students per team

  • DR Division (Intermediate) and AS Division (Advanced): 4 students per team

02. Can I change teammates after forming a team?

Team members can be changed only before the registration deadline. After the deadline, the team composition on record will be considered final, and no further changes are allowed.

03. Can teams be formed across different schools?

Yes, cross-school teams are allowed, but all team members must register in the same division.
Additionally, the team must designate a home school for official records and honors.

04. Can I change my division after registering?

Participants must select their division according to the official rules. Each student has one opportunity to change divisions before the registration deadline, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

05. Can students attending overseas schools register for the China NEC?

Yes, students studying abroad can participate in the regional and China rounds of NEC.
However, their teams cannot advance to the global rounds.

06. How should I choose the right division for NEC?

  • Grades 7–8: Students interested in learning basic economics or experiencing the competition can join the PRE Division.

  • Grades 9–12: Students aiming for NEC awards to enhance college applications can consider DR or AS Divisions:

    • AS Division: Higher difficulty, fewer participants; recommended for students who have completed AP Micro & Macro Economics and can confidently score 5 in official or mock exams.

    • DR Division: Moderate difficulty, but still competitive; recommended for students who have studied only one economics course or are currently learning AP Micro or Macro Economics. This division offers a higher chance of advancing.

07. What subjects does the NEC test cover?

The NEC competition assesses three main areas:

  1. Microeconomics

  2. Macroeconomics

  3. International Economics & Current Events

Assessment format:

  • Theory: 40%

  • Practical application + theory: 60%

The NEC emphasizes the integration of theory and practical application, so students should focus on applying concepts to real-world scenarios during preparation.

Special tip for Chinese students:
The international economics and current events section often focuses on U.S.-related economic issues, an area where domestic students may have limited background knowledge. To prepare effectively, students should develop the habit of regularly reading English-language financial news.

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