Economic Knowledge Olympiad (OWE)

Economics Knowledge Olympiad (OWE) – comprehensive preparation for the most prestigious economics competition in Poland

The Economics Knowledge Olympiad is a competition that opens doors to the best universities in Poland and abroad, but at the same time represents one of the greatest academic challenges a secondary school student can face. Many talented students who do very well at school are eliminated at the school stage – not because they lack knowledge, but because they have never been trained in problem-based, analytical, and academic thinking. The school economics or business studies curriculum is not enough to reach the title of laureate.

At MonPat Education we provide professional Economics Knowledge Olympiad preparation that combines extended theory with hands-on work on archived olympiad tasks. Our mentors – graduates of Cambridge, Oxford, and leading Polish universities – know exactly what standard is required at each of the three competition stages and how to take a student from the first round all the way to the national final. The first consultation is free of charge, which means we can assess the student’s potential and propose a realistic preparation plan with no risk.

The result? A structured pathway, clear expectations, regular feedback, and the reassurance that someone genuinely knows this competition from the inside.

Who is Economics Knowledge Olympiad preparation for?

Our economics olympiad training is aimed at secondary school students who want more than just good grades in the register. This is a programme for ambitious young people who are curious about the world of economics and ready to work at a level that goes beyond the standard curriculum – close to the first year of an economics degree.

The programme will be of particular benefit to:

• students in years 1–3 of secondary school who are planning economics, finance, or business studies in Poland or abroad,
• secondary school students aiming for programmes such as economics, finance, management, business, or international relations at universities such as LSE, Bocconi, SGH, the University of Warsaw, or Dutch universities,
• students who are “good at school” but have never been trained in problem-based thinking and need support in developing analytical reasoning,
• young people looking for a competitive edge in the admissions process – the title of finalist or laureate is a distinguishing factor that is visible in both Polish and international applications,
• students simultaneously following the IB economics or A-Level programme who want to use the olympiad to build a strong academic profile.

Why it is worth taking part in the Economics Knowledge Olympiad

The Economics Knowledge Olympiad has been organised since 1987 by the Polish Economic Society on behalf of the Ministry of National Education. This is not “just another competition” – it is one of the most widely recognised academic distinctions in Poland, whose value grows with each successive stage of the admissions process.

What does participation in the OWE actually give a student?

• Direct university entry – the title of laureate opens the door to the best Polish economics universities (SGH, the University of Warsaw, the Jagiellonian University) without the need to compete in the standard admissions process,
• A major asset in international applications – admissions committees at LSE, Cambridge, Oxford, Bocconi, and Dutch universities particularly value documented achievements in national olympiads as evidence of a deep interest in the chosen field,
• Financial and material prizes – winners can expect amounts of around 15,000 PLN, high-quality electronic equipment, books, and professional journal subscriptions,
• International qualifications – the five best laureates represent Poland at the International Economics Olympiad,
• Maximum points in the admissions process at most Polish economics universities,
• Real academic competencies – the capacity for analysis, argumentation, and working with literature, which pay dividends throughout one’s studies.

It is worth keeping the broader perspective in mind. Better preparation leads to a better university, and a better university means a stronger network of contacts and significantly greater career opportunities – in investment banking, consulting, finance, or the startup world. The olympiad is not just a line on a CV. It is the first real step towards the career the student will choose in five to ten years’ time.

Our methodology – why parents and students choose us

We work in a way that combines academic rigour with an individual approach. Each student receives a plan tailored to their starting level, the stage they are at, and the pace at which they are able to absorb material. Our goal is not to “work through a textbook”, but to teach the student to think in the way the olympiad committee expects.

In Economics Knowledge Olympiad preparation we use methods proven by our mentors – in many cases former laureates or examiners themselves. We work on archived olympiad tasks, analyse solving strategies, discuss academic literature that goes beyond the standard curriculum, and simulate each stage of the competition, including the oral component of the national final.

After each session we provide brief feedback showing what went well and what still needs work. Parents always know at what stage the student is – they see concrete progress, not general declarations. We stay in contact between sessions, answer questions, and respond to ongoing needs. Predictability, clear expectations, and the reassurance that someone genuinely knows the system are the reasons we most often hear from parents for choosing us.

In our work we combine:

• tasks that go beyond the school curriculum, based on real papers from previous olympiad editions,
• academic literature in microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance, and management,
• training in economic reasoning – not memorising definitions, but analysing phenomena and constructing arguments,
• detailed error analysis after each practice test,
• simulations of all three competition stages, including the oral component.

Scope of support in OWE preparation

As part of our Economics Knowledge Olympiad course we provide the student with a full package of work covering all the elements needed to progress as far as possible in the competition:

• analysis of the thematic scope of the current olympiad edition, tailored to its guiding theme,
• systematic work on archived olympiad tasks from previous years,
• extended theory in economics, finance, and management, going beyond the school syllabus,
• preparation for the written stage (school and regional) and for the national final with its oral component,
• individual project consultations and error analysis,
• training in argumentation and the presentation of one’s own position – crucial in the oral final,
• ongoing mentor contact and feedback after each session.

OWE as part of a broader educational strategy

The Economics Knowledge Olympiad is a fantastic distinction in its own right, but at MonPat Education we treat it as one element of a comprehensive academic strategy. A student who works with us on olympiad preparation naturally builds a candidate profile that later pays dividends in university applications.

If you are planning economics or business studies abroad for your child, it is worth thinking about the whole pathway now. The title of OWE finalist or laureate is a strong argument in applications to universities in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the USA, or Italy – including Bocconi University. Our offer includes both IB economics tutoring and A-Levels, as well as mentor support guiding the candidate through the entire admissions process.

For students interested in a broader economics and business profile, we also offer preparation for the Entrepreneurship Olympiad, which complements the OWE perfectly and together creates an exceptionally strong academic portfolio. All of this fits within our mentoring and extracurricular development programme, through which we build with the student a real 1–3 year plan – from the first olympiad preparations, through the matura exam, to the final application for their dream course.

If you would like to discuss how Economics Knowledge Olympiad preparation can fit into your child’s long-term educational strategy, book a free consultation with us. Together we will assess their potential, plan the next steps, and answer all your questions.