Sixth Form pupil wins Gold in prestigious international and national Economics competitions

A Sixth Form pupil has received three top awards for her work in international and national Economics competitions.  

Ismi C (G, LVI) was awarded an individual Gold Award for ranking in the top 5% of the preliminary round of the International Economics Olympiad, as well as a further individual Gold Award and team award in the National Economics Challenge.  

Ismi tells us more about the competitions:

"As a student aspiring to study Economics at university, I believe it’s important to go beyond textbook knowledge and actively explore the subject through extracurricular activities. Engaging in such opportunities not only deepens my understanding but also demonstrates my passion for Economics. 

"One of the most enriching experiences I’ve had is participating in the National Economics Challenge (NEC), a prestigious international competition. The NEC consists of three demanding rounds. The first round features a challenging multiple-choice test that extends beyond A-level Economics, incorporating real-world economic news and advanced concepts. 

"To qualify for the second round, participants must rank in the top 25% nationally. In this stage, teams of four tackle two major tasks: a detailed written assessment and a project based on a topic chosen by the organizers. This includes preparing a 4,000-word essay and delivering a presentation on pressing global issues. For instance, one thought-provoking topic was: "Green electric cars are reshaping our roads, but the real question lies beneath the surface: should governments lead the charge, or should the market take the wheel?" 

"Advancing to the third and final stage is highly competitive, with only 10% of teams qualifying to present and debate in the U.S. The NEC has been an incredible platform for exploring Economics in depth and testing my skills in real-world applications.  

"Winning a top national award in this competition felt exhilarating. The recognition was not only a reward for all the hard work and teamwork but also a moment of immense pride and inspiration. It motivated me to strive for greater challenges and deepen my commitment to studying Economics. 

"Another competition I participated in is the International Economics Olympiad (IEO). Like the NEC, the IEO also has three stages, but it is even more challenging, particularly in the multiple-choice questions and the presentation tasks. For example, one question required participants to act as a team from a Social Innovation Center and develop innovative solutions for organizing events related to the agricultural industry. The goal was to foster economic opportunities for local communities and enhance agricultural development to reduce poverty. All the preparation, from creating PowerPoint slides to forming discussion points, had to be completed within just 24 hours, making it an intense and highly time-constrained challenge. 

"Receiving the top national award and a team award in the IEO was an unforgettable experience. It was both thrilling and deeply fulfilling. The moment of standing alongside my teammates, knowing that our hard work and innovative thinking had been recognised, was incredible. It instilled a profound sense of achievement and gratitude. These awards not only validated our efforts but also inspired me to push myself further in my academic journey. The experience underscored the value of collaboration, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence in Economics."