Instructor Frequently Asked Questions

An Interactive Microeconomic Game. Students compete against firms in a simulated market which is managed by the computer. The general process is to enter your firm's operating decisions for a given period and market structure. You advance to the next time period by pressing the execute button, and receive immediate feedback. The simulation evaluates student decisions relative to the competition and generates a set of performance reports. Students are given a performance rating based on their profits.

Does Beat The Market work with my text book?

Yes. Beat The Market is based on economic concepts that are covered in all introductory microeconomics textbooks.

I can't make my students buy a textbook and Beat The Market. Do you have a solution?

As books become more and more expensive, many teachers are deciding to switch to web based books. These books are usually less than half the price of a traditional textbooks and are a welcome choice by students. If you don't want to switch books, we recommend you contact us about licensing to help keep the cost to your students low.

Why use a computerized game of the market?

Economic education studies find student difficulty in learning economic principles and understanding how to apply it to real world problems. This game provides an opportunity for students to see, in a dynamic setting, how market forces influence firm performance. The data from the game can be used to measure and apply economic tools of analysis.

How much Instructor time does it take?

No instructor time to run the game or grade their success. Students run the program themselves, and the program grades them based on their performance.

How do I use it for Distance Learning?

Easily. Two major options below:

A. Competing against the computer individually or in teams.
Students play the game themselves and email their final end-of-game performance results to you. If in teams they collaborate online and by phone to mutually agree on a set of decisions each period. One person on the team acts as the "administrator", imports the decisions using the import routine, executes the simulation and then emails the files to the other students. Final, end-of-game results are emailed to you.

B. Competing directly against other students in teams.
Students are assigned to teams and collaborate on decisions. One team member emails their team's decisions each period of play to you (or an "administrator") who imports their decisions, executes the simulation (press of one button), and then emails each team back their results. Minimal time is required as decisions are imported with the press of one button.
back to top

Is the game too complex for introductory courses?

No. The game allows you to select learning levels. Students may learn the microeconomic relationships in steps by limiting the number of controllable decisions, holding the other decisions constant ("ceteris paribus"). This option allows students to adjust the complexity of the game and is a powerful learning tool.

Do Students need prior knowledge of economics to play the game?

No. Learning-by-doing is the best approach. Initially students may not know how to make effective decisions, but there is an advantage to this. They will see more clearly the need for microeconomic theory to improve their decisions. We have found students reading the chapters ahead in their textbooks to uncover the "secrets" of microeconomics to make better informed decisions and improve their performance.

As an alternative to playing the game individually can the students play in teams?

Yes. Students divide into firm “teams”. Teams are compared relative to how they perform against the computer, not directly against each other. This eliminates instructor administration time.

Is grading time consuming?

Student performance is provided automatically through reports, so no time required. However, if you elect to have the students submit qualitative evaluations of their performance, then time to grade will be required.

Is knowledge of the computer required?

Only basic knowledge is necessary. This program is user friendly, menu driven, and has help screens. Student and instructor manual are also available which clearly explain how the program functions.

How much class time does it take?

Minimal class time is required. Students can run the program outside of class. However; it can be used in a lab setting to achieve a dynamic learning environment.

How can I integrate the program into a microeconomics class?

Easily. A full support package is provided including:
1. How to integrate the game into your class in the Instructors Manual.
2. Introductory lecture about the game on Powerpoint slides.
3. Solutions to the end of chapter questions in the Student Manual.
4. Test bank questions & answers.
5. Technical support.

Which economics classes are most appropriate for the game?

Principles or introductory and managerial are natural fits. The ability to export the game data to excel allows for advanced statistical analysis of student decisions and results for upper level Managerial Economics and graduate courses.

How do I purchase Beat The Market for my students?

1. You may have your students download the software directly from our website
2. You may contact us about licensing Beat The Market on your schools public computers.

How much does it cost and can I license it?

It costs $19.95 and can be downloaded via our website or ordered through your bookstore with a discounted price of $16.00.
The license costs your university $10.00 per student and allows students to use Beat The Market at your school's computer lab. Please contact Gold Simulations to discuss this alternative.

Technical and Support Questions:

What are the system requirements?

Minimum System Requirements:
Operating System - Microsoft Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP Home or Professional. (Windows XP home or Pro recommended)
Processor - A 400 megahertz (MHz) processor, such as an Intel Pentium II or Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processor. (800 MHz or higher recommended)
RAM - 64 megabytes (MB) (128 MB or higher recommended)
Free hard disk space - 150 MB (400 MB or more recommended)
Optical drive - 4x CD ROM (only required for CD purchase, not download)
Video Adapter and Monitor - Minimum resolution is 1024x768 or higher.
Internet Browser - Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or higher
Microsoft Office - The English language version of Microsoft Office is required. Microsoft Office based in foreign languages are not supported.
Internet Connection - Product registration requires dial up internet (28 Kbps) or faster. Download purchase requires broadband internet connection. (Download with 56Kbps modem possible but not recommended or supported)

The menu screen in Beat The Market is too big, how do I make it fit in my screen?

1. Click on the "Start" button on bottom left of your screen.
2. Select "Settings" and click on "Control Panel".
3. Select the Display Icon (looks like a monitor).
4. Select Settings.
5. Go to the screen area at the bottom of the menu and adjust pixels to 1024 x 768.

back to top

If I have questions, is there a help line available?

Yes, if you registered for the demo or have purchased the game. Contact information is on this website.