Q: What type of questions are asked?
A: Multiple choice questions range from English and literature to math, science, history and geography. Each student will have a buzzer to be the first to answer.
Q: How many students are on a team?
A: You can have as many students as you like. However, while playing, there are only four allowed. Each match has three rounds. There is time between each of these rounds to bring in alternates. This would mean you could have as many as 12 students on your team. Most teams do not have that many, but it is your choice. We also don’t tell you what types of students to have on your team, such as a certain GPA, rank, etc. You may also have students anywhere from freshmen to seniors.
Q: Is this a game with buzzers?
A: Yes, we have four buzzers for each of the two teams playing. Whoever buzzes in first gets to answer. The student has five seconds after buzzing in to answer the question. Depending on the round, not answering at all will result in losing points for the team. Please note the first page of the booklet. That will describe how each round works, because all three are different.
Q: Can the members of the team consult before answering?
A: Only in round three, the “lightning round.” The first two rounds move very quickly; the first round is 20 questions or eight minutes (multiple choice will take longer and we recommend the students wait until they hear all of the choices before answering), second round is 30 questions or five minutes. The third round is one minute, 10 questions. The team may consult, but only the captain can answer. If you get one wrong and the moderator has gone all the way through but there is still time, he will repeat the question once to give your team another chance, but only in the third round.
Q: Are there penalties for wrong answers?
A: It depends on the round. Please see the first page of the booklet. Please note, however, that in round one, if your team is at zero and they answer incorrectly, they will not lose five points to become negative five. Teams can’t be in the negative numbers.
Q: What are the costs of participation?
A: There is no cost to participate. The only thing your school needs to provide is a coach and transportation. In the past, the team is transported by car/van by the coach or a parent, or both. Many parents enjoy coming to watch their children compete and are more than happy to play chaperone. Sometimes, the coach can’t make it the day of the contest, so a parent brings them. The coach works with them during the year to prepare the team, but they don’t have to be there if they absolutely can’t be. |
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