Competition information

Entry forms, question booklets and response sheets will be sent out to those secondary schools who have indicated their interest in the competition. If your school has not participated in the past but is interested in the competition, please get in touch with us.

Schools are required to either return the entry form that we posted to you; or if you prefer, you can submit the NZ Economics Competition online registration form.

Entries must reach us by Monday 14 May 2012. To view a list of other important dates during the competition, please visit our Key dates page.

• All questions are of equal value.
• Each student starts with 10 marks.
• One (1) mark will be awarded for each correct response, whilst each incorrect response attracts a quarter (¼) mark penalty to discourage random guessing.
• Unanswered questions score zero (0).
• This gives a total mark ranging from 0 to 50.

Awards and prizes for both Competitions will be in two divisions:

• Division 1: Year 13 (Form 7).
• Division 2: Year 12 (Form 6) and below.

All students sit the same examination.

Within each division, awards are allocated on a national basis as follows:

• High Distinction: top 5%
• Distinction: next 15% (top 6-20%)
• Credit: next 30% (top 21-50%)
• Participation: all other students

All participating students receive a certificate. The top performing students in each division will receive monetary prizes and the National Winner in each division will also receive a trophy. There will be an awards presentation evening held in Auckland to acknowledge and recognise students who achieved excellent results in each division. Their family members, teachers and principals are also invited to attend.

A selection of the feedback we have received from teachers involved in previous competitions. Ensure your school participates.

• "It's a great competition. It emphasises the practical importance and relevance of economics and lifts its profile among students. The special presentation evening for the HD winners is particularly thrilling for students and parents and reinforces the value and status of economics."
• "Very broad range of questions ensuring that students have to keep up-to-date, as well as knowing theory content."
• "This was my first association with the competition. I look forward to encouraging my classes to participate as an ongoing event. The certificates had a professional "finish" and are great adjuncts to a student's work portfolio."
• "I appreciate the difficulty in compiling a test which suits students at different levels. This competition is a great learning experience for my students."
• "Very professional. Will enter again next year."
• "Great idea so students know how they compare to other students and we know how we compare to other schools. The school reports were excellent and very useful."
• "I encourage the development of such competitions as they are useful for recognition as well as a tool for teaching."
• "An excellent activity for students. It provides a great motivation for students as well as a method to display achievement."
• "Tremendous encouragement for the students - acts as a real boost to their morale as they head towards their exams."
• "Gives a good idea of how students are going compared with rest of the nation".
• "Looking forward to it next year."

For more information about the competition please contact the New Zealand Economics Competition organisers visit our Contact us page for contact details.