Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge

HPEC is an in-person quiz competition at Harvard for high-school students passionate about economics, challenging them in a series of individual and team rounds spanning AP Micro and Macro, plus economic news, history, recent research, and real-world applications. This is day to test what you know and see the wider world of economics beyond the classroom.

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    How HPEC works

    Teams of students, each with a coach, compete in individual and team rounds across a day at Harvard. The competition built to be good prep for the AP Micro/Macro exams, great exposure to the economics that isn’t taught in class, and genuine fun learning with peers. Competitors also hear from leading economists: HPEC's 2026 keynote speaker was Oliver Hart, the 2016 Nobel laureate in Economics.

    The full 2026–27 rules, team size, and registration details will be posted when registration opens.

    Competition details (tentative)

    Exact dates will confirmed when registration opens. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates.

    When: spring 2027

    Where: in-person in Harvard Yard (we no longer offer a virtual option)

    Past HPEC questions

    We will post these soon! Check again later.

    Past HPEC results

    • Champions: Phillips Exeter Team 1

      Runner-up: Pingry High School

      Semifinalists: Choate Rosemary Hall Team 2, Lexington HS

      Quarterfinalists: The Lawrenceville School, Syosset High School, Phillips Exeter Team 2, Farmington High School

    • Champions: Choate Rosemary Hall ​

      Runner-up: Farmington HS​

      Semifinalists: St. Mark’s School of Texas, Mount Hebron HS

      Quarterfinalists: Lexington HS, Hunter College HS, Pingry