Considering the CBE through NABE and trying to gauge how heavy the quantitative content is. I have an economics degree but it's been 8 years since I've done formal econometrics or macro modeling. I work in industry now doing mostly applied analysis with Excel and Tableau.
The exam covers economic analysis, forecasting, and business applications. I'm solid on the conceptual side but I'm worried the quant questions will expose how rusty my regression and time series skills are.
How much actual math and statistics does the CBE test vs conceptual economics understanding?
The quant content is present but not at the level of an econometrics course. You need to understand regression interpretation — coefficients, R-squared, significance — but you won't be running regressions by hand. Applied comprehension is what's tested.
Forecasting methodology questions are more about choosing the right approach than computing it. Know when you'd use time series decomposition vs regression-based forecasting vs leading indicator models. Conceptual judgment is the skill tested.
8 years out from econometrics is fine. Spend a few hours reviewing regression interpretation basics — how to read a coefficient, what multicollinearity means, how to interpret a lagged variable — and you'll be prepared for what the exam actually asks.
Business cycle analysis and economic indicators are a significant section. Know what GDP, CPI, PCE, unemployment, and ISM are measuring, how they're constructed, and what their limitations are as forecasting tools.