Format Overview

Teams receive virtual portfolios on a secure paper-trading platform using live market data. Highest portfolio value wins. No presentations or write-ups required.

The competition is conducted fully online to maximize accessibility. Everything is handled through a dedicated simulation platform, providing NJ high school teams with an accurate, secure, and fair experience.

Teams: 3–7 students

Teams: 3–7 students

Platform: howthemarketworks.com

Platform: howthemarketworks.com

Duration: 4 weeks

Duration: 4 weeks

Scoring: Portfolio growth

Scoring: Portfolio growth

Safety: Virtual-only, no personal data

All trading is paper-only using simulated funds. No personal or financial data is collected aside from school and teacher contact information. Student privacy and digital safety are protected throughout the competition.

Timeline

March–April 2026: Registration is open to all New Jersey high schools. Advisors and teachers can submit school teams online during this time.

Late April: Platform access instructions & join codes are sent to registered teachers/advisors.

May–June: Competition runs for 4 weeks. Early June: Final rankings are published and winning teams are notified with an online event celebration.

Open to all NJ high schools

Open to all NJ high schools

One teacher advisor per school

One teacher advisor per school

Standard code of conduct

Standard code of conduct

Respectful collaboration

Respectful collaboration

No cheating

No cheating

Public/private welcome

Public/private welcome

No presentations required

No presentations required

Digital safety focus

Digital safety focus

Top 3 teams: Cash prizes

Top 3 teams: Cash prizes

Top school: Shoutout

Top school: Shoutout

All get certificates

All get certificates

Social media recognition

Social media recognition