FAQ
Frequently asked questions
IQIC is open to high school students in grades 9–12 from countries around the world. Participants must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the official competition rules.
No. IQIC is completely free to enter.
Registration closes on October 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. We recommend registering early to ensure enough time to prepare for the competition.
IQIC begins with the Strategy Declaration Phase from October 26 to November 1, where participants turn in a strategy declaration report. It is followed by the Trading Phase from November 2 to November 20, where participants test their strategy in simulated markets.
Trading will take place through StockTrak, IQIC's official simulation platform. Registered participants will receive instructions for accessing the competition and setting up their accounts before trading begins.
Participants are evaluated on multiple factors, including quantitative metrics, the strategy declaration report and trading integrity. Full scoring criteria are available in the official competition rules.
Yes. Top-performing participants will receive prizes including cash, quant firm merchandise, certificates and IQIC merchandise. Specific awards are posted in the Prizes section above.
Yes. Teams may include students from different schools and countries. All team members must individually meet IQIC eligibility requirements.