Texas Academic Decathlon

Competition Manual
For Coaches, Coordinators, and Hosts

Mission Statement

The mission of the

Texas Academic Decathlon
is to encourage, recognize and reward
academic teams and individual students
through region, state and national
academic competition.

Texas Academic Decathlon, 6300 Irvington Boulevard, Houston, TX 77022-5618.

Fax/Telephone (713) 696-8253 or (713) 696-8217
This manual is not copyrighted and may be duplicated.
Updated sections and versions of all of this material can be found on the TAD website @
www.txacadec.org Email: mailto:[email protected]
 Table of Contents
Introduction
Appeals
Awards Program
Calculators
Coordinator’s Responsibilities
Courses for GPA
Entry Fee
Essay
Facilities/Security
Food Service
Honesty Statement
Hotel Accommodations
Interview/USAD Resource Guide
Medals
Name ID Badges
Proctors/Runners/Tests
Recruiting Team
Schedule for Meets
Scholarship Money
Scoring
Speech/USAD Resource Guide
Super Quiz
Tie-Breaking Procedure
Timing Devices
Validation/Eligibility/Registration
 Introduction to Texas Academic Decathlon
Revised 8/1/2015

History
The Academic Decathlon program was inaugurated in 1968 by the Orange County (California)
Academic Decathlon Association in cooperation with the Orange County Superintendent of
School’s office. The program was initiated in order to provide an opportunity for high school
students to experience the challenges of rigorous academic competition through participation in
ten activities.
In 1979, the first statewide Academic Decathlon competition day program was held in
California. Texas, in 1984, competed in its inaugural effort ad won the national championship.
Presently, a national program is held each spring throughout the United States. The 1987 contest
was held in Dallas, and in 1988 and 2000 contests were held in San Antonio. High school teams
from throughout the United States (as well as Canada, and soon other English speaking
countries) are invited to compete for honors. Texas currently has twelve regions of competition
with over 250 high schools participating.

Concept
A unique aspect of the Decathlon format is that it is designed to include students from all
academic backgrounds. Each “nine member” team may have three students whose grade point
average falls in the “C” or Varsity category, three students in the “B” or Scholastic category, and
three students in the “A” or Honor category. While nine students may compete, the final team
score comes from the sum of the scores of the top two varsity, the top two scholastic, and the top
two honor students. A perfect team score is 60,000 points (6 students x 10 events x 1000 points
possible per event (top 2 V, top 2 S, top 2 H x 100)).

Ten Events of the Decathlon

1. Art: 50 questions with a value of 20 points each
2. Economics: 50 questions with a value of 20 points each
3. Language/Literature: 50 questions with a value of 20 points each
4. Music: 50 questions with a value of 20 points each
5. Science: 50 questions with a value of 20 points each
6. Social Science: 50 questions with a value of 20 points each
7. Math: 35 problems with a value of 28.571 points each
8. Essay: 50-minute paper on a prompt from language/literature or from Super Quiz.
Highest score is 1000 points.
9. Interview: Panel of three judges conducts a seven-minute interview and three scores
averaged with a maximum score of 1000 points.
10. Speeches: Panel of three judges rates a four-minute prepared speech (700 points) and a
two-minute impromptu speech (300 points).
The Super Quiz event will have questions taken from events 1-6 above.

INTRO-1
Competition
With designated academic courses only used in calculating the grade point average (GPA), and
with no weighted value given to any grades, the Decathlon GPA which determines the A, B, and
C students is based on these GPA ranges.
Varsity (C): 0.00 – 2.99
Scholastic (B): 3.00 – 3.74
Honor (A): 3.75 – 4.00
When computing the GPA, there is no rounding up. Thus, a 2.9974 is a 2.99 or Varsity. Texas
Academic Decathlon follows the USAD policy in computation of grade point averages which is
that each school’s local grading scale will be what is followed. The conversion scale (example:
90-100 = A) for the local school must be sent with the transcript to competition on the Numeric-
Letter Grade Conversion Form found in the Validation, Eligibility, and Registration section at
the TAD website.

As Texas has so many teams, each competes with other schools of like size according to UIL
guidelines. 6A schools comprise the large school division; 5A schools make up the medium
school division; and all smaller classifications compete in the small school division. Forty teams
advance from region to state from large schools, thirty from medium schools, and ten advance to
state in small schools (advancing teams may be adjusted to reflect statewide enrollments). While
a champion is declared in all three divisions, the team with the highest score, regardless of
division, represents Texas in the national competition. Home-schooled and students who receive
only pass/fail grades compete in the Honor category. Charter and private schools compete by
enrollment.

In the event a host school for the state meet does not qualify either as the region champion or as
an at-large team, the host high school may participate at state as team #41.

INTRO-2
 Appeals
Revised 9/21/2015

APPEALS ON PROCEDURES OR CONTENT FOR

TEN DECATHLON EVENTS
1. A committee of at least three members will be available to rule on appeals. The meet
coordinator should not be on this committee. Friday appeals on essay, interview, and
speech procedures will be ruled on by this committee. Saturday procedural appeals
will also be handled by this committee, but Saturday test content appeals will be faxed
or electronically delivered to and ruled on by the state office. The meet appeals
committee should be located near a fax machine or computer with internet access at all
times in order to receive communications (fax or email) from the state office.

2. Appeals must be submitted in writing by a coach on the state appeals form according to
the deadlines noted on the form. Once ruled on, the committee will notify the coach of
the decision in writing on the form. Two copies of the form are to be made; one copy for
the state office and one copy for the meet coordinator.

3. Appeals identifying the “wrong” answer result in re-grading and giving credit to all with
the correct answers. Appeals identifying a “bad” question may result in all students
getting credit. The decision of the appeals committee is final.

4. Sample responses to appeals:

 Variance in interview judges’ scores is not appealable. Appeal denied.
 Music question has only one correct answer. Appeal denied.
 Math test was hand scored with same results. Appeal denied.
 Art question has no correct answer. All students receive credit.
 Student’s timer did ring during test. He received “zero” on the test.
 Economics test has two correct answers. Students with either answer receive
credit.

APPEAL OF TEAM SCORE

1. Hopefully, within 30-60 minutes after the Super Quiz Relay, each coach will receive
his/her team’s scores to review. Within 60 minutes of the receipt of these scores, he/she
must complete the “Acceptance of Preliminary Team Scores” form. (APPEALS-3).

2. In the event that the coach does not accept his/her team scores, he/she may appeal these
results by following the procedures outlined on pages APPEALS-4 and APPEALS-5.

APPEALS-1
 APPEAL FORM

Coach__________________________________________________ Team Room #__________

School ___________________________________ EVENT ____________________________

Student Name ___________________________________________________ ID#___________

(if appropriate)

Reason for Appeal:

Decision:

Appeal Chairperson Initials: _________

Time Submitted: _________ Time of Decision: _______

Written appeals are to be submitted only by coaches to the meet decathlon office according to the deadlines.

EVENT DEADLINE FOR APPEAL

SUBJECTIVE 15 minutes after receiving team scores. Appeal may be made on possible averaging
error; not on graded score.
OBJECTIVE Earliest break after the test is completed.
SUPER QUIZ 15 minutes after the completion of the event. Will accept appeals during the event.

APPEALS-2
 ACCEPTANCE OF PRELIMINARY TEAM SCORES
This form must be submitted by an official team coach no later
than 60 minutes after receipt of the Preliminary Team Scores..

A. Computer printouts of scores will be given to each coach for

his/her team only throughout the competition day. Appeals for
any missing or questionable scores should be submitted in
writing immediately.
B. For the Final Team Report, coaches will submit this page with
the completed acceptance below or will let the meet coordinator
know that an appeal will be submitted within the two hours
allowed. If a coach leaves the meet and does not pick up this
acceptance form at the designated meeting, the coach forfeits
the right to appeal the preliminary results.
C. A coach from each team will complete the section below:

_______ I have been given sufficient time throughout the day to

review the team scores for ________________________
High School and accept them as final scores. I speak for
all team coaches and have no reason to delay the awards
program from its originally stated time.

_______ I do plan to submit an appeal for _________________

High School and will present it in writing to the meet
coordinator within two hours of the time I received the
preliminary scores.

__________________________________________
Signature of Coach

__________________________________________
Please Print Name

APPEALS-3
 Texas Academic Decathlon
Appeal Procedure for Preliminary Results
An appeal of the preliminary results of an official Texas Academic Decathlon (TAD)
competition may be made in the following manner:

The appeal shall first be made through the coach of the team. The appeal must be presented in
writing to the Academic Decathlon site coordinator within two hours of the scores being
distributed and received by the coaches after the completion of the competition. The nature and
description of the appeal shall be stated in written detail on the attached appeal form. The site
coordinator shall note the time of the appeal. In order to perfect the appeal, the superintendent
or building principal of the appealing school shall be notified by the coach and that official must
ratify by telephone or in writing to the site coordinator the initial appeal made by the coach of
the team.

Both the written appeal form and its ratification, as set forth above, must be provided to the site
coordinator within two hours of the scores being distributed and received by the coaches after
the completion of the competition. IF NOT TIMELY MADE, THE APPEAL SHALL BE
DEEMED AS WAIVED.

If timely made and perfected as set forth above, the written appeal as filed by the coach shall then
be forwarded to an Independent Third Party (ITP), who is a licensed and practicing attorney in the
State of Texas selected by the Board of Directors of the Texas Academic Decathlon. Richard
Hightower, Esq. shall serve as the ITP. In the unlikely event he is prevented from serving as the
ITP, he shall designate, in the exercise of his sound discretion, one or more alternates to serve as
the ITP. The ITP, within 48 hours of his or her receipt of the appeal, shall listen to the arguments
of all parties involved in the appeal, whether by written submission, telephone conference, or
otherwise, and rule upon the validity of the appeal. The ITP shall have the authority to obtain any
relevant material from the TAD or meet officials and question any TAD employees, agents, or
meet officials, as he/she deems necessary. The ITP’s decision shall be in writing and shall be sent
by fax to all parties to the appeal (i.e. coach, superintendent/principal, site coordinator, and
executive director of TAD) to the number provided by each party.

The fee of the ITP shall be borne by TAD; provided however, that the ITP shall have the
authority to require payment by the appealing school in the event he/she finds that the appeal was
frivolous and without foundation.

The decision of the Independent Third Party shall, in all respects, be final.
Agreed --
___________________________________ ________________________
Superintendent/Designee/Principal Signature Independent School District

___________________________________ ________________________
Print Name Date

APPEALS-4
 TEXAS ACADEMIC DECATHLON
Preliminary Results Appeal Form

Appealing School _____________________________________

Coach’s Name ________________________________________ (print)

Coach’s Signature _____________________________________

Superintendent/Designee Name _________________________________ (print)

Superintendent/Designee Signature ______________________________

BASIS FOR APPEAL OF PRELIMINARY RESULTS:

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(Use back of sheet if necessary)

Site Coordinator use only:

1. Time of release of preliminary results: ______________________________

2. Time of submission of appeal of preliminary results: _________________________

Decision of Independent Third Party--

APPEALS-5
 Awards Program and Script (Region)
Revised 8/1/2015

Awards Program Chairperson

1. Work with meet coordinator to determine the facility where the program will be held
(auditorium, gym, civic center, hotel banquet room, etc.). Some regions have banquets
jointly with the awards program. The seating of teams should be near the awards
presentation location such that winners take a minimal amount of time to get there. A
seating chart for teams (whether at a banquet table or in an auditorium) should be given
to teams in advance of their arrival at the program. The awards program at region takes
place on Saturday evening.

2. Between the time of the coaches’ acceptance of team scores and the awards program, this
chairperson will work with the scoring committee chairperson and the emcee to place the
printed lists of winners in the appropriate places in the script that has been prepared in
advance. This person will have secured from coaches’ in advance the pronunciation of
names difficult to pronounce.

3. Secure personnel to perform the following tasks:

a. Collect tickets, if at a banquet
b. Act as emcee
c. Bring greetings (usually superintendent or designee)
d. Lead pledge of allegiance (team member)
e. Give invocation (team member from a different school)
f. Present salute to sponsors (team member from another school whom we know can
perform this task very well)
g. Introduce special guests (may be chairperson)
h. Present awards (may be local school board members or may be administrators
from schools competing)
i. Hand out printed programs, if not already at table or at seats.
j. See that scoring room has prepared the sealed envelopes that have winners’ names
for each event (these will be given to coaches just prior to the start of the awards
program with instructions not to open them until instructed). See that scoring
room has a packet to give to each school at the end of the awards program which
contains the team reports for all schools within their division.
k. Have the State Registration Packet ready to give to the region winner in each size
of competition (large, medium and small) – might be an electronic link.
l. Arrange the gold, silver and bronze medals on three separate tables in the
presentation area. Place plaques nearby for team awards.
m. Remind meet coordinator to send copy of team scores BEFORE going to awards’
ceremony.

AWARDS-1
Suggestions For Presenting Awards
Two electronic files (a model emcee script and a PowerPoint presentation) are available to
expedite the Awards Ceremony, especially at the regional competition. These are provided to
Regional Coordinators, and may be obtained by coaches from the TAD State Executive
Director. Please contact the TAD State Office for this service. Additionally, the 2015-16 USAD
scoring software will provide a script and a PowerPoint file for awards.

The Ceremony
Medals: Arrange piles of bronze, silver, and gold medals on tables in the presentation area.
Reserve the bronze with red and bronze with blue for the Overall Individual Medals. Have
at least 3 presenters (bronze, silver, gold) to hang medals around recipients’ necks as the
emcee calls out names.
Moving recipients to the medal area: Two possibilities

1. Use a PowerPoint presentation to show the names of students who will receive medals in
each event.
2. Prepare sets of 10 sealed envelopes (one for each event) and give to coaches as the
ceremony starts. Each envelope would have a list of winners for an event.
This plan has the coach opening the sealed envelope. The coach sends all of his winners
to a holding area off to the side of the presentation area. Then as 3rd place winners’ names
are called, they proceed to the 3rd place table to have ribbons placed around their necks
and to shake the presenter’s hand. The advantage of this plan is the fact that there is
more suspense until all three places are announced. The disadvantage is with large
groups (ties) in the holding area, there are sometimes time delays when the student
named is at the back of the line in the holding area. This causes the narrator to speed up
the name called which sometimes results in the ribbon being placed around the neck after
the name is called.

Perfect Scores of 1000 Points

While perfect scores do not occur often, alert your scoring committee to be on the lookout for
these and call this to the attention of the audience at the time the student receives his/her award.

AWARDS-2
Sample Region Awards Script
Good evening, I am ________________________________. It is a pleasure to introduce the
individual who will be serving as the Master of Ceremonies. (Give background information on
the MC as you prepare to introduce him/her.)

Ladies and gentlemen, our Master of Ceremonies:

___________________________________________________________________

The MC will make a few remarks and introduce certain designated individuals:

 Superintendent of the hosting district

 Decathlon Region Coordinator and/or State Host
 Principal of the hosting school
 Any other designated individuals

(MC) At this time, would you please stand as (Decathlon Student)

_______________________________ of ____________________________ will lead us

Student Name School Name

in the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing while ____________________________

Student Name

of ___________________________ (another Decathlon student) delivers the invocation.

School Name

(MC) Thank you.

_______________________________ of ______________________________ will now

Student Name School Name

recognize the scholarship donors, as well as contributing business men and women.

(MC) And now let us proceed with the meal. Afterwards, we will begin the Awards Ceremony.
Enjoy your meal.
(Only if you are having a banquet.)

Before we award the 1st medals, may I recognize members of all teams who have spent hours and
hours of study and effort to be here today. Would all coaches have your team stand while you
congratulate and hand each a certificate of participation.

AWARDS-3
We will present the awards to the small, medium, and large school division. Will the following
administrators please come to the front and help with presenting the awards. We will need two
at each table. One will hold and open the ribbons while the other places them around student’s
necks and shakes their hands. They may rotate positions with the 2nd event.

__________________________, Superintendent of __________________________ ISD

__________________________, Superintendent of __________________________ ISD

__________________________, Superintendent of __________________________ ISD

__________________________, Superintendent of __________________________ ISD

__________________________, Superintendent of __________________________ ISD

__________________________, Superintendent of __________________________ ISD

(In the event that the Super Quiz Relay team awards were not presented at the end of the Super
Quiz, we recommend presenting the 3rd place, 2nd place and 1st place medals only at this time in
order to scatter throughout the program the three super quiz awards. The computer will
generate team and coaches names for this award.)

At this time, I will ask the coaches to please look at the column under Essay and send those
students to the stage. As this group of winners is coming forward, I will read a brief description
of the Essay competition.

The essays were scored on the student’s’ ability to: organize ideas in logical patterns; present
these ideas using effective vocabulary and written structures appropriate to formal standards
of written communication in English; use mechanical skills of standard English (punctuation,
grammar and spelling) that facilitate communication and are acceptable in formal writing.

And now the winners:

(Use the “Awards Form” which follows or the computer-generated form to prepare your notes
on winners in each of the competition divisions. Remember to word above according to which
presentation plan you choose to use. Also, it is satisfactory not to read the description of the
event, as the students know it and are eager to receive awards.)

AWARDS-4
 Order of Events:
Essay
Speech
Interview
Awards Form Math
Science
Economics
Music
The computer program generates this information Language/Literature
so this page is simply put in the script at the proper place. Art
Social Science
Super Quiz
Test/Event: __________________________________

3rd: Name School

V ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________
S ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________
H ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________

2nd:

V ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________
S ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________
H ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________

1st:

V ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________
S ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________
H ______________________ __________________
______________________ __________________
Extra line provided in case of ties.

AWARDS-5
(At this point, the procedure and form will be the same in each event. Call for large schools last.
All Decathlon events can follow this method. A description of each of the remaining events is
provided, but not required to be used. Check current year test contents. These are samples
only.)

Speech—The speeches were scored on the student’s ability to: organize ideas in logical
patterns; express ideas using an effective vocabulary; present a physical image that aids the
audience in the acceptance of the spoken ideas; use of voice, pitch, volume and flexibility to
establish and maintain maximum attention for their ideas.

Interview— Students were scored on voice projection, language usage, non-verbal language
(movement, rapport, appearance, and gesture), answering skills (responding, elaboration of
detail) and overall effectiveness of the interviews.

Mathematics— The mathematics curriculum covered topics in the fields of general

mathematics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and differential calculus.

Science— The science curriculum focused on an introduction to ecology and included case
studies and examples relevant to India

Economics— The economics curriculum covered fundamental economic concepts,

microeconomics, and macroeconomics and included a thematic section on the Indian economy.

Music— The music curriculum included basic elements of music theory and focused on the
music of India.

Literature— The literature curriculum included critical reading, one long work of literature, and
selected shorter works. The long work of literature was the novel Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala
Markandaya.

Art—In art this year, students learned fundamentals and largely focused on the art and
architecture of India.

Social Science— The social science curriculum covered the history of modern India.

We now recognize the highest varsity, scholastic and honor student from each team. (Coaches
will know these having viewed all scores at the Saturday meeting when scores were accepted by
the coaches.) Each will receive a gold medal. Would the highest Varsity student from each team
line up across the presentation area. (Presenters present ribbons in standard way. When all have
been received, dismiss the group to their seats.)

(Repeat procedure with all scholastic winners.)

(Repeat procedure with all honor winners.)

AWARDS-6
Sometimes this is done at the team table by the coach, instead of sending the students to the
stage.

Super Quiz Team awards include medals and plaques. The team score comes from the combined
written test and relay score from the scores of the two highest varsity, scholastic and honorall
nine students.

(Computer will generate the team members’ and coaches’ names for the 3rd place, 2nd place and
1st place teams. Each will come separately to receive awards.)

Now it is time to announce the students having the highest cumulative scores in the overall
competition in each of their academic divisions. These students have scored the highest of all
students here in the competition for the past two days. There are five places awarded in each of
the three divisions.

(Call 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st. We have a different color ribbon for 4th and 5th places.)

(Give special recognition to the one top scorer for the meet at the time his/her name is called
whether he/she be a varsity, scholastic or honor student.)

(Computer generates the list of names to be read.)

Team Winners
And now it is time to announce the top three teams in the ________________________
Large/Medium/Small
school division from the Region ___________ Academic Decathlon contest. As I call the
name of each team, we ask that the team members and the coaches please come forward to the
stage. We will present plaques for the school and medals for each team member and two
coaches.

(Computer will generate the team members’ and coaches’ names for the 3rd place, 2nd place and
1st place teams. Each will come separately to receive awards.)

Closing remarks……..(Ad-lib)

Region winners throughout the state qualify to advance to the state meet (as long as there are a
minimum of five like-sized teams in the region). Forty teams from large school region meets
will qualify to advance to the state meet, 30 teams advance to the medium, and 10 teams advance
to the small school state meet.

The highest scoring team, which is chosen from the large, medium, and small schools, will
represent Texas at the United States Academic Decathlon national competition.

The national USAD competition is in April.

AWARDS-7
You are all winners by virtue of the fact you took the time to prepare and participate. A program
is just a program on paper, but when individuals become involved then the program comes to
life. We hope you’ve had the opportunity to make new friends and that the Decathlon has
opened more doors for you. We wish you every success in the months and years ahead.

Before I turn the program over to the Region Coordinator for closing remarks, we would ask all
Decathlon participants (team members and coaches) to stand and be recognized for their
outstanding performance in this year’s Decathlon event.

And now let me turn the microphone over to the Region Coordinator

____________________________________ (Closing remarks from Region Coordinator)

Dismissed!

Awards Program and Script (STATE)

The script for the region awards program will be basically followed at the state meets with the
differences below:

1. Awards program will occur only on Sunday morning.

2. Students will receive a state participation medal (bronze with purple ribbon).

3. Scholarship money is awarded as follows:

1st place individual overall winners in V, S, H $3,500/each
2nd place individual overall winners in V, S, H $2,500/each
3rd place individual overall winners in V, S, H $1,500/each
4th place individual overall winners in V, S, H $1,000/each
5th place individual overall winners in V, S, H $750/each

1st place Winning Team Members $1,200/each

2nd place Winning Team Members $800/each
3rd place Winning Team Members $500/each

4. Teams 1-3, come to stage, individual names called, medals and plaques (and
scholarships)

Teams 4-10, team name called, stand in audience for applause, no medals.

AWARDS-8
 CALCULATORS
Revised 8/1/2015

The Texas Academic Decathlon will follow the current calculator policy of the United
States Academic Decathlon. The following is copied from the USAD website. More
information follows the USAD information.

THE UNITED STATES ACADEMIC

DECATHLON® CALCULATOR POLICY
*This policy applies for the Academic Decathlon® National Competition. Please contact your
state director regarding the calculator policy that will apply at your local, regional, and state
competitions.

Academic Decathlon® Calculator Policy

The Academic Decathlon® has always endeavored to reflect current high school curriculum and
instruction in our competitions. Recent surveys of calculator use in high schools nationwide
indicate that calculators are now used in the vast majority of high school mathematics courses
across the country, and our decision to allow calculators is consistent with this practice in math
instruction.

After reviewing the policies of the major testing institutions and consulting state directors, the
Academic Decathlon® has adapted MOST of the American College Testing (ACT) and College
Board (SAT program) guidelines for calculator use as stated below.

I. Competitors May Use Calculators for the Mathematics Test

If competitors wish to use calculators on the Academic Decathlon® Mathematics Test, they are
responsible for bringing them to the test. Calculators will not be provided for students who do
not bring their own. Calculator use is permitted only for Mathematics; competitors will not be
allowed to use calculators on any other test.

II. Permissible Calculators

If a competitor wishes to use a calculator, it can be a basic, four-function, scientific, or graphing

calculator, provided it has none of the features listed in Section III below.

Calculator models with alphanumeric keys (such as the TI-Nspire and TI-84 plus) are acceptable.

During the mathematics test, competitors are not permitted to refer to information that was
stored in their graphing calculator memory prior to the test. Students wishing to utilize their
graphing calculator’s memory function during the mathematics test will be required to have the
memory erased prior to entering the testing room and at the completion of the mathematics
test.

Calculators-1
III. Prohibited Calculators

Calculators with any of the following features are NOT allowed in the Academic
Decathlon® competitions:
pocket organizers
hand-held or laptop computers
electronic writing pads or pen-input devices
models with an alphabetic (QWERTY) keypad, e.g. TI-92 or HP-95
models with paper tape
models that make noise
models that can engage in wireless communication (transfer data or information with other
calculators)
models that require a power cord
models with CAS (computer algebra systems), e.g. TI-89

Because companies are continuously introducing new products, it would be impossible for the
Academic Decathlon® to maintain an up-to-date list of specific model numbers that possess
these features. If a competitor is uncertain whether a particular calculator will be allowed, the
student should bring a backup that does not possess any of the features in question. No
backup calculator will be provided for any competitor whose calculator is disallowed.

IV. Competing without a Calculator

Competitors may opt to take the Mathematics Test without a calculator, however, the Academic
Decathlon® is suggesting competitors use a basic, scientific, or graphing calculator for solving
the trigonometry test items.

V. Calculator Failure During a Test

If a competitor’s calculator stops working during a test, the student should continue taking the
test without a calculator. No additional calculator will be provided, and the competitor will not
be allowed to take the test again later. A competitor may bring a backup calculator (of the
same make/model) and/or spare batteries to the test.

Additional Information
1. TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CX calculators are permitted; TI-Nspire CAS, TI-Nspire CX CAS
are not permitted.
2. Coaches are expected to carefully inspect the calculators of their team members immediately
prior to entering the Math competition. A coach from each team must sign the “Verification
of Calculators for Mathematics Exam” statement (see sample on next page) at the first
coaches’ meeting following the start of the Math test. Failure of a coach to appropriately sign
the statement may cause disqualification of math test scores for that team.
3. Use of a disallowed calculator by a contestant will result in a zero score for the test.
4. If a student brings a backup calculator into the test room, it must be exactly the same make
and model as the primary calculator.

Calculators-2
 Texas Academic Decathlon

Verification of Calculators for

Mathematics Exam
(to be turned in at the first Coaches’ Meeting Saturday morning)

I, ____________________________, coach of the

________________________________________ team,
certify that I and/or another coach of this team has
checked any and all calculators that will be used by the
team members during the Mathematics testing session,
and that they meet the standards established by the
United States Academic Decathlon and the Texas
Academic Decathlon.
I also certify that I have given specific, detailed
instructions to my team members not to refer to any
post-manufacture information that may be stored in the
memory of calculators being used.

Signed, ____________________________________

Calculators-3
 Coordinator’s Responsibilities
Revised 8/1/2015

1. Study the “Competition Manual” and become familiar with all aspects of the Academic
Decathlon.

2. Prepare a budget:
Region Meet: $2,000 given to coordinator at September meeting
$2,000 sent in January
$75/team at region will be sent after all reports have been received
by the state office.

State Meet: $12,500 given to coordinator in December

$12,500 given to coordinator in January

Appoint committee chairpersons and work with them in areas of responsibility in setting
dates, arranging for facilities, purchasing materials and supplies, selecting committee
members, judges, proctors, etc. Below are possible committees needed. In some cases one
or more may be combined or not even used.
Site Selection Computer Scoring
Essay Speech
Interview Facilities/Security
Awards Program Proctors/Runners/Test Distribution
Academic Testing Identification Badges
Student Validation Registration
Super Quiz Food Service (meals and snacks)
Hotel Accommodations Saturday PM Social Activities*
Appeals Printed Programs
Transportation (shuttle)* Region/State Pins (standard or custom)**
Shirts for Teams/Coaches* Photos (team)
Nurses Scoreboards (if computer handouts not used)
Student Certificates State Packets (for teams going to state)

* Indicates a committee required/needed for state meet only.

** Required at both levels. Cost is covered by respective budgets.

3. (Region) Schedule a fall coaches’ meeting to discuss all aspects of the meet including
drawing for school numbers which determines the order of speeches and interviews as
well as seating at banquet or awards program.
(State) A committee from the host school will conduct the drawing as soon as teams are
announced and will let each team know its number.

COORD - 1
4. The personnel needed below is based on a meet of 20 schools and is strictly an estimate.
Double these numbers for a state meet of 40 schools.

10 Essay tabulators (depending on manual tabulation or computer)

18 Essay graders (each paid $50)
1 Essay Chairperson
27 Speech Judges (plus alternates)
9 Speech Timers/Runners (plus alternates)
1 Speech Chairperson
12 Speech/Interview Tabulators (if not using Scantron)
27 Interview Judges (plus alternates)
9 Interview Timers/Runners (plus alternates)
1 Interview Chairperson
9 Proctors for Academic Tests
9 Runners for Academic Tests
1 Proctor/Runner Chairperson
5-8 Computer Scoring personnel (depends on number of contests – L,M,S)
15 Super Quiz
3 Validation of transcripts
3 Registration
3 Appeals
2 Test Distribution Center
1 Phone Receptionist
1 Nurse (or more, rotating times)
1 Security person
1 Custodian
1 Building Facilities person
6 Copying and proofing academic tests
2 Name badge preparers
10 Awards program and stage decoration
1 Shirt design (state)
8 Greeters/Building hosts
1 Signs Preparation

5. As soon as final team scores are accepted by the coaches, fax or electronically submit to
the state office by divisions (L, M, S) the scores in rank order from highest to lowest.

6. At the conclusion of the region awards program, give the state packet to the meet winner
(might be an electronic link). At-large teams, who will be announced on the Monday
following the competition, will receive their packets from the state host or the state
office.

7. The region coordinator (when he/she knows which teams are advancing to state) will
send all registration materials from region to the state hosts. This needs to be done
immediately after the teams are announced.

COORD - 2
8. The state hosts MUST send the following items to state office PRIOR to going to the
Awards’ Ceremony:

 Team totals: name and score in rank order

 Copy of the student OVERALL winners

COORD - 3
 Courses for GPA
Revised 8-02-2015

There are many courses approved by the Texas Education Agency. The following
guidelines are set by the US Academic Decathlon:

1. Classes should count if the nature of the course is based on the theoretical skills and
assessment is objective in nature (such as through a state EXIT exam or national exams)

2. Classes should count that directly deal with the theoretical content covered in the Academic
Decathlon curriculum and its competitive events.

3. Classes focused specifically on Academic Decathlon do not count.

4. Classes based on performances, competitions, that are subjective in scope and curriculum
with generalized curricula, and are vocational or technical in nature should not count.

5. Borderline or questionable classes must be submitted to the state director. The decision of
the Texas Academic Decathlon state director of which courses to count is final.

6. Concurrent enrollment and college classes whose grades appear of the official high school
transcript must be counted.

7. Regardless of whether it is Advanced Placement, pre-Advanced Placement, or honors,

regulars, or remedial, use all classes listed below to compute grade point averages.

8. Independent study classes should not be counted as there is no standardization of their

curricula, scope and sequence, and because they do not have mandated assessments.

COURSES-1
The following list is derived from the TEA website
(tea.texas.gov/Curriculum_and_Instructional_Programs/Subject_Areas).

CHAPTER 110. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING

CHAPTER 128. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (SOL)
§110.31. English I (ENG I)
§110.32. English II (ENG II)
§110.33. English III (ENG III)
§110.34. English IV (ENG IV)
§110.83. Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition (APENGLAN)
§110.84. Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition (APENGLIT)
§110.85. Advanced Placement (AP) International English Language (APENGIT)
§110.86. International Baccalaureate (IB) Language Studies A1 Standard Level (IBENG 3)
§110.87. International Baccalaureate (IB) Language Studies A1 Higher Level (IBENG 4)
§128.31. English I (ENG I SOL)
§128.32. English II (ENG II SOL)

CHAPTER 111. MATHEMATICS

§111.39. Algebra I (ALG I)
§111.40. Algebra II (ALG II)
§111.41. Geometry (GEOM)
§111.42. Precalculus (PRECALC)
§111.43. Mathematical Models with Applications (MTHMOD)
§111.44. Advanced Quantitative Reasoning
§111.46. Discrete Mathematics for Problem Solving
§111.47. Statistics (STATS)
§111.48. Algebraic Reasoning
§111.53. Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics (APSTATS)
§111.54. Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB (APCALCAB)
§111.55. Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC (APCALCBC)
§111.56. IB Mathematical Studies Standard Level (IBMASTUD)
§111.57. IB Mathematics Standard Level (IBMAMETH)
§111.58. IB Mathematics Higher Level (IBMAHL)
§111.59. IB Further Mathematics Higher Level (IBMAFUR)

CHAPTER 112. SCIENCE

§112.32. Aquatic Science (AQUASCI)
§112.33. Astronomy (ASTRMY)
§112.34. Biology (BIO)
§112.35. Chemistry (CHEM)
§112.36. Earth and Space Science (ESS)
§112.37. Environmental Systems (ENVIRSYS)
§112.38. Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC)

COURSES-2
§112.39. Physics (PHYSICS)
§112.62. Advanced Placement (AP) Biology (AP-BIO)
§112.63. Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry (AP-CHEM)
§112.64. Advanced Placement (AP) Physics B (AP-PHYSB)
§112.65. Advanced Placement (AP) Physics C (AP-PHYSC)
§112.66. Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science (AP-ENVIR)
§112.67. International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology (IB-BIO)
§112.68. International Baccalaureate (IB) Chemistry (IB-CHEM)
§112.69. International Baccalaureate (IB) Physics (IB-PHYS 1 and IB-PHYS 2)
§112.70. International Baccalaureate (IB) Environmental Systems (IB-ENVIRS)

CHAPTER 113. SOCIAL STUDIES

§113.41. United States History Studies Since 1877 (US HIST)
§113.42. World History Studies (W HIST)
§113.43. World Geography Studies (W GEO)
§113.44. United States Government (GOVT)
§113.45. Psychology (PSYCH)
§113.46. Sociology (SOC)
§113.53. Advanced Placement (AP) United States History (APUSHIST)
§113.54. Advanced Placement (AP) European History (APEUHIST)
§113.55. Advanced Placement (AP) World History (APWHIST)
§113.56. Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography (APHUMGEO)
§113.57. Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government and Politics (APUSGOVT)
§113.58. Advanced Placement (AP) Comparative Government and Politics (APCPGOVT)
§113.59. Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology (APPSYCH)
§113.60. International Baccalaureate (IB) History, Standard Level (IBHIST)
§113.61. International Baccalaureate (IB) History: Africa, Higher Level (IBHISTAF)
§113.62. International Baccalaureate (IB) History: Americas, Higher Level (IBHISTAM)
§113.63. International Baccalaureate (IB) History: East/SE Asia, Higher Level (IBHISTAS)
§113.64. International Baccalaureate (IB) History: Europe, Higher Level (IBHSTEUR)
§113.65. International Baccalaureate (IB) Geography, Standard Level (IBGEO-SL)
§113.66. International Baccalaureate (IB) Geography, Higher Level (IBGEO-HL)
§113.67. International Baccalaureate (IB) Psychology, Standard Level (IBPSYCSL)
§113.68. International Baccalaureate (IB) Psychology, Higher Level (IBPSYCHL)

CHAPTER 114. LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

§114.22. Levels I and II - Novice Progress Checkpoint
§114.23. Levels III and IV - Intermediate Progress Checkpoint
§114.24. Levels V, VI and VII - Advanced Progress Checkpoint
§114.27. American Sign Language Levels I and II - Novice Progress Checkpoint
§114.28. American Sign Language Levels III and IV - Intermediate Progress Checkpoint
§114.29. American Sign Language Levels V, VI and VII - Advanced Progress Checkpoint
§114.32. Discovering Languages and Cultures
§114.34. American Sign Language Level I

COURSES-3
§114.35. American Sign Language Level II
§114.36. American Sign Language Level III
§114.37. American Sign Language Level IV
§114.39. Level I, Novice Mid to Novice High Proficiency
§114.40. Level II, Novice High to Intermediate Low Proficiency
§114.41. Level III, Intermediate Low to Intermediate Mid Proficiency
§114.42. Level IV, Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High Proficiency
§114.43. Level V, Intermediate High to Advanced Mid Proficiency
§114.44. Level VI, Advanced Mid to Advanced High Proficiency
§114.45. Level VII, Advanced high to Superior Proficiency
§114.47. Classic Languages, Level I, Novice Low to Intermediate Low Proficiency
§114.48. Classic Languages, Level II, Novice Mid to Intermediate Mid Proficiency
§114.49. Classic Languages, Level III, Novice Mid to Advanced Low Proficiency
§114.50. Classic Languages, Level IV, Novice Mid to Advanced Mid Proficiency
§114.51. Classic Languages, Levels V-VII, Novice High to Superior Low Proficiency
§114.62. Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese Language and Culture
§114.63. Advanced Placement (AP) French Language and Culture
§114.64. Advanced Placement (AP) German Language and Culture
§114.65. Advanced Placement (AP) Italian Language and Culture
§114.66. Advanced Placement (AP) Japanese Language and Culture
§114.67. Advanced Placement (AP) Latin Language and Culture
§114.68. Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language and Culture
§114.69. Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language and Culture
§114.70. International Baccalaureate (IB) Language B, Modern Languages, Standard Level
§114.71. International Baccalaureate (IB) Language B, Modern Languages, Higher Level
§114.72. International Baccalaureate (IB) Classic Languages, Standard Level
§114.73. International Baccalaureate (IB) Classic Languages, Higher Level
There are many TEA-approved foreign languages. The symbols, which fit the above levels,
are listed below. The numbers following the codes indicate the years a student has had this
language on the high school level. Students may receive credit through examination for
prior knowledge. Consequently, schools must count each year of credit.

1. Arabic: ARABIC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
2. Japanese: JAPN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
3. Italian: ITAL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
4. French: FREN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
5. German: GERMAN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
6. Latin: LATIN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
7. Spanish: SPAN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
8. Russian: RUSS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
9. Czech: CZECH 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
10. Portuguese: PORTUG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
11. Hebrew: HEB 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
12. Chinese: CHIN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
13. American Sign Language: ASL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
14. Other Foreign Languages: OTHR FL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

COURSES-4
CHAPTER 117. FINE ARTS
Use only histories and theories of art and music under Chapter 117. These classes are listed
below; however, courses where more than 50 percent of the grade is based on “production”
or “performance” will not count. AP and IB classes that produce a product or perform
should not be counted.
§117.52 Art, Level I
§117.53 Art, Level II
§117.54 Art, Level III
§117.55 Art, Level IV
§117.302 Art, Level I
§117.303 Art, Level II
§117.304 Art, Level III
§117.305 Art, Level IV
§117.60 Music, Level I
§117.61 Music, Level II
§117.62 Music, Level III
§117.63 Music, Level IV
§117.310 Music, Level I
§117.311 Music, Level II
§117.312 Music, Level III
§117.313 Music, Level IV

CHAPTER 118. ECONOMICS

§118.4. Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits (ECO-FE)
§118.12. Economics Advanced Studies
§118.13. Advanced Placement (AP) Microeconomics (APMICECO)
§118.14. Advanced Placement (AP) Macroeconomics (APMACECO)
§118.15. International Baccalaureate Economics Standard Level (IBECP-SL)
§118.16. International Baccalaureate Economics Higher Level (IBECO-HL)

CHAPTER 126. TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS

§126.36. Digital Forensics
§126.37. Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
§126.38. Game Programming and Design
§126.39. Mobile Application Development
§126.40. Robotics Programming and Design
§126.44. Digital Communications in the 21st Century
§126.45. Digital Video and Audio Design
§126.48. Web Game Development
§126.62. Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A
§126.63. International Baccalaureate (IB) Computer Science, Standard Level
§126.64. International Baccalaureate (IB) Computer Science, Higher Level

COURSES-5
 (Regular Computer Science does not count.)

School districts may use the knowledge and skills described in this section of the computer
science course descriptions for the College Board Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate programs, or a combination thereof.

CHAPTER 130. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

(Make special note that if your school teaches any of the following courses with MORE than 50
percent of the course is spent in a lab, the course does NOT count)
§130.5. Equine Science
§130.7. Advanced Animal Science
§130.9. Agribusiness Management and Marketing
§130.20. Horticulture Science
§130.21. Advanced Plant and Soil Science
§130.112. Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance
§130.117. Business Law
§130.121. Business Management
§130.163. Banking and Financial Services
§130.164. Securities and Investments
§130.165. Insurances Operations
§130.166. Accounting I
§130.167. Accounting II
§130.168. Financial Analysis
§130.169. Statistics and Risk Management
§130.182. Principles of Government and Public Administration
§130.183. Political Science I
§130.184. Political Science II
§130.185. Revenue, Taxation, and Regulation
§130.186. Public Management and Administration
§130.187. Planning and Governance
§130.188. National Security
§130.189. Foreign Service and Diplomacy
§130.202. Principles of Health Science
§130.203. Medical Terminology
§130.204. Health Science
§130.206. Anatomy and Physiology
§130.207. Medical Microbiology
§130.208. Pathophysiology
§130.222. Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
§130.223. Hotel Management
§130.224. Restaurant Management
§130.225. Travel and Tourism Management
§130.230. Food Science
§130.295. Forensic Science
§130.342. Advertising and Sales Promotion

COURSES-6
§130.343. Fashion Marketing
§130.344. Entrepreneurship
§130.345. Retailing and E-tailing
§130.346. Sports and Entertainment Marketing
§130.347. Marketing Dynamics
§130.362. Concepts of Engineering and Technology
§130.363. Biotechnology
§130.364. Advanced Biotechnology
§130.365. Engineering Design and Presentation
§130.366. Advanced Engineering Design and Presentation
§130.367. Engineering Mathematics
§130.368. Electronics
§130.369. Advanced Electronics
§130.370. Robotics and Automation
§130.371. Principles of Technology
§130.372. Scientific Research and Design
§130.373. Engineering Design and Problem Solving
§130.375. Principles of Engineering
§130.376. Digital Electronics

OTHER CLASSES TO COUNT

International Baccalaureate (IB) Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

All concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment college courses

COURSES-7
 SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE
OFFICIAL LIST OF CLASSES
FOR ACADEMIC OCTATHLON
AND ACADEMIC DECATHLON
For grade computation, Academic Octathlon coaches must use their students’ eighth grade
classes. And occasionally Academic Decathlon has a freshman or sophomore competing as a
Decathlete and must use classes and grades from middle or junior high school.

Many middle and junior high schools offer accelerated, enriched, honors, or pre-Advanced
Placement 9th grade courses, which count for high school credit. These courses will, however,
use high school names and codes. See the list of high school courses for these codes. You must
count these classes if they appear on the Decathlon high school official list of classes.

English Language Arts and Reading

§110.19. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 7
§110.20. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 8
§110.25. English Language Arts and Reading, Reading
§110.26. English Language Arts and Reading, Speech

Mathematics
§111.27. Mathematics, Grade 7
§111.28. Mathematics, Grade 8

Science
§112.19. Science, Grade 7
§112.20. Science, Grade 8

Social Studies
§113.19. Social Studies, Grade 7 (Texas History)
§113.20. Social Studies, Grade 8 (US History to 1865)

Foreign Languages
§114.14. Languages Other than English, Middle School

COURSES-8
 Entry Fee (Yearly)
Revised 8/1/2015

The form found on the next page is to be completed each year and sent to the state office with the

entry fee designated by October of the school year. The fee for all schools is $1,100 per team.

This fee covers awards, state scholarships, test/competition preparation/materials, etc. Schools

pay their own travel, meals, and lodging costs both in regional and state competition. All study

materials MUST be purchased from USAD.

If your school wishes to withdraw from competition, a letter must be received by the Texas

Academic Decathlon state office two weeks prior to Round 1 competition. At that time your

school will receive a full refund. NO REFUND will be given if it is requested less than two

weeks prior to competition.

You may wish to contact the national office below and secure a study materials order form.

Jessica Cole

Phone:
712-326-9589 (cell)
712-366-3701 (fax)

Address:
USAD
PO Box 4351
Mankato, MN 56002

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.usad.org

ENTRY FEE - 1
 Texas Academic
Decathlon
Registration Form Competition Year _________

Circle One Large School (6A) Medium School (5A) Small School (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A)

School ________________________________________________ District _______________________

Street Address__________________________________________________________________________

City/Zip _______________________________________________ Area Code/Number _____________

Fax Number _______________________________________________ 9-12 Enrollment _____________

Coaches ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

E-mail address _________________________________________________________________________

School Principal ________________________________________________________________________

Superintendent _________________________________________________________________________

Address of Superintendent ________________________________________________________________

Registration Deadline October

Region Competition Date January

Please return registration form to and make checks payable to Texas Academic Decathlon --

Sue Edwards, Executive Director

Texas Academic Decathlon
6300 Irvington Boulevard
Houston, TX 77022-5618

Registration Fee ALL Schools $1,100

Additionally, all schools pay a region management fee of $200; teams advancing to the state
competitions will pay $350 per team (NEW FOR 2015-16).

Please complete this form in its entirety.

ENTRY FEE - 2
 Essay
Resource
Guide

The vision of the United States Academic

Decathlon® is to provide students the opportunity
to excel academically through team competition.
Toll Free: 866-511-USAD (8723) • Direct: 712-366-3700 • Fax: 712-366-3701 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.usad.org
This material may not be reproduced or transmitted, in whole or in part, by any means, including but not limited to photocopy, print, electronic,
or internet display (public or private sites) or downloading, without prior written permission from USAD. Violators may be prosecuted.
Copyright © 2014 by United States Academic Decathlon®. All rights reserved.
 USAD 2014-2015 Essay Resource Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Essay Guidelines 4
Essay Guidelines 4
Essay Prompts 4
Essay Scoring 4

Preparation 4
Preparing for Your Essay 4
Writing Your Essay 5

Detailed Analysis of the Essay Rubric 6

The Essay Rubric 6
Rubric for the Essay 7
Focus/Scope, Content/Development, and Organization 7
Language Style and Conventions 9

Tips 10
Tips for your Essay 10

Sample Essays 12
Anchor Paper Prompt 12
Anchor Paper A 12
Anchor Paper A Assessment 13
Anchor Paper B 14
Anchor Paper B Assessment 15
Anchor Paper C 16
Anchor Paper C Assessment 18

Exhibit A: Sample Off-Prompt Essay 20

Exhibit B: Sample Off-Prompt Essay Assessment 21
Exhibit C: USAD® Essay Evaluation Form 22

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 USAD 2014-2015 Essay Resource Guide

Introduction
THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON® SUBJECTIVE EVENTS

The Academic Decathlon® competition contains three subjective events: Speech,

Interview, and Essay. Each event is evaluated separately by a panel of judges who score
the event by completing rubrics supplied by USAD®. The scores of the judges are then
averaged, and the student receives a score based on a scale of 1000.

The United States Academic Decathlon® is happy to provide the Essay Resource Guide
to assist students as they prepare for the Academic Decathlon® Essay event. Because
there are subtle differences in the way Academic Decathlon® events are conducted
in different locations it is difficult to write a Essay Resource Guide that will fit every
situation. We hope you find the materials both helpful and practical.

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 USAD 2014-2015 Essay Resource Guide

Essay Guidelines
ESSAY GUIDELINES
• In the USAD® essay component, students have fifty minutes to pre-write, plan,
organize, draft, and write a final version of an essay in response to a specific prompt.

• After the allotted fifty minutes has elapsed, the essays are collected and secured by
the test-room proctors and then delivered to the essay scoring room.

ESSAY PROMPTS
• Most all of the prompts used at the USAD® National Competition require students
to write an expository essay, i.e., an essay that exposes information by explaining,
defining, or interpreting the given subject.

• Prompts may also solicit an argumentative, or persuasive, essay, i.e., an essay that
seeks to convince the reader of the truth or falseness of an idea.

• At the National Competition, students will be given three prompts from which to
choose.

• The essay prompts may focus on any of the following subject areas: art, economics,
literature, music, science, or social science. (Specific examples relevant to this years
theme can be found in the USAD® Essay Exam Booklet–Supplemental Materials.)

ESSAY SCORING
• Each essay will be read independently by two trained essay judges, and the average
of these two scores will be your final essay score.

• Essay judges will score each essay independently, and do not discuss their scores.

• The judges will score each essay in accordance with the assigned USAD® rubric.
(See Exhibit C for the USAD® Essay Evaluation Form)

Preparation
PREPARING FOR YOUR ESSAY
• Practice writing a prompt-driven essay in a 50 minute time period.

• The USAD® Essay Exam Booklet is a great resource filled with prompts specific to this
years curriculum.

• Evaluate your essay with your team and coach based on the specific aspects of the
rubric. (See Exhibit C for the USAD® Essay Evaluation Form)
4
 USAD 2014-2015 Essay Resource Guide

WRITING YOUR ESSAY

• Choose the prompt that you feel most comfortable writing about.

• Write the number of the prompt on the top of the first page of your essay.

• Your essay should include an introduction, body, and conclusion!

• Take a moment after you choose your topic to brainstorm and write down a tentative
outline for your essay. (You can use the margins of your paper.)

• Clearly demonstrate your understanding of the prompt by using key words and ideas.

Introduction
• The first sentence of your introduction should grab the judge’s attention.

• Your introduction should be no longer than one paragraph and should introduce your
essay.

• Clearly state your thesis statement in the introduction paragraph.

• Your thesis statement should include the main points you intend on covering in the
body of your essay.

Body
• Stay on topic! Your thesis statement is the base of your essay. You must expand upon
the points you’ve included in your thesis statement.

• Use specific information and examples from your studies to support your position.

• Add linking words at the beginning of your paragraphs to help the judges follow the
development of your essay. For example, linking words could include, “similarly”,
“thus”, “however”, or “furthermore”.

Conclusion
• Provide a final paragraph to conclude or close your essay.

• The conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay–avoid re-starting
your thesis statement word for word.

• End your essay with a strong statement–this is you final impression on the judges.

Helpful Hints
• Be sure to follow the accepted rules of standard English sentence structure, usage,
spelling, and punctuation, and to use appropriate diction and style.

• Choose a font that is legible.

5
 USAD 2014-2015 Essay Resource Guide

• Double-spacing can help to make your essay easier to read.

• Allow yourself time to proofread your essay. Typically 2-3 minutes.

• Write a well-organized essay in which you clearly respond to the question or direction
that is presented in the prompt.

• Avoid simply writing everything down that you know about your prompt, ensure that
what your write is relevant to the provided prompt.

• Remember that your essay will be read by adult judges–often school

administrators, and community leaders. Essays directed toward the interest level
of a generally knowledgeable audience are typically the most successful.

Detailed Analysis of the Essay Rubric

THE ESSAY RUBRIC
• As with each of the three subjective events, it is important to study the essay rubric in
detail. Judges score the essay based on a standardized rubric provided by USAD®.

• The essay accounts for 1000 of the possible 10,000 points a competitor can earn at
competition.

• The Decathlon essay score is based on two primary criteria:

Essay (1000 points)

1. FOCUS/SCOPE, CONTENT/DEVELOPMENT, AND ORGANIZATION (800 points)

2. LANGUAGE/STYLE AND CONVENTIONS (200 points)

• Each of the two categories is scored holistically and the student is rated as Excellent,
Good, Fair, Weak, or Poor in each category.

• Each quality rating corresponds to a point range. (See Exhibit C for the USAD® Essay
Evaluation Form)

• The rubric also allows for a zero score to be awarded in the following cases:

• Illegible essay • Blank paper

• “Insufficient” essay • Prompt is not addressed

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 USAD 2014-2015 Essay Resource Guide

RUBRIC FOR THE ESSAY

• The question then becomes, “What makes an essay excellent in content?”
and “What constitutes excellence in language conventions?” The answers are
consistent with the characteristics of a good Advanced Placement essay or good
writing in general.

• Analyzing the two components of the rubric provides information useful in

preparing for the essay event.

• Students should practice writing a prompt-driven essay in a 50-minute period.

Then both coaches and students should evaluate the essays based on the specific
aspects of the rubric. Listed below is a breakdown of the rubric, including a brief
explanation of each of the components.

FOCUS/SCOPE, CONTENT/DEVELOPMENT, AND ORGANIZATION

Direct Response to Prompt
• The first task in writing the essay is to select a prompt and then analyze the issues
that it presents.

• Many students will–either mentally or in a quickly formulated rough outline or

bulleted format–sketch out a plan for responding to the prompt.

• This plan may include a delineation of purpose and direction and a sketch of
possible supporting evidence. Adherence to the prompt yields a focused essay.

Full Consideration of all Aspects of the Task

• A writer should carefully read and thoughtfully analyze the prompt selected for the
essay.

• Sometimes it is useful for the student to circle or underline aspects of the prompt
that are important to a full and forthcoming response.

• Full consideration of the prompt ensures that the writer will fulfill the parameters
demanded by the “scope” indicator.

• Also essential in the appropriate assessment of the writing task is an appropriate

choice of point of view.

Strong Central Purpose

• An effective writer must have a clear grasp of his/her purpose.

• Although the writer’s approach to a prompt can yield a variety of acceptable

purposes, two of the most frequently employed purposes include the informative
analytical essay and the persuasive analytical essay.

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• Informative analytical–writing whose purpose is “to inform an audience,”

and whose mode mostly involves the analysis, classification, or division
of content into logical groups that foster the audience’s understanding.
Examples of informative analytical writing include an essay of simple
analysis, comparison/contrast essay, cause/effect or classification.

• Persuasive analytical–writing whose purpose is “to persuade an audience”

and whose mode is the analysis, classification, or division of content into
arguments intended to convince. Persuasive writing often moves the reader
to formulate a position or to reconsider a position or change an opinion.
Persuasive writing has several functions: to state and support a position,
opinion or issue; to defend, refute, or qualify an argument.

Clear and Consistent Organization

• An essay is successful only if there is clear and logical organization that is
appropriate for developing its content.

• Organization includes the development of a dynamic strategy for beginning an

essay.

• Introductory strategies may include: using a focusing quotation or observation,

presenting an analogy, or using a focusing event or argument to establish a position
on the prompt.

• The prompt and the proposed content will always shape a writer’s choices.

• Organization also demands adherence to an organizational strategy that may

include any of the following schemes: chronological, spatial, classic (introduction/
narration, confirmation/arguments, concession/refutation, and conclusion),
thesis-based, or hypothesis-based.

• You should always use a developmental strategy that is consistent with the content.

• Effective organization demands adequate closure; that is, the reader should be
satisfied with the end of the essay and the finality of its arguments.

• Conclusions should not merely summarize, but should provide insight or

universality that confirms the relevance of the issues explored.

A Vigorous Position
• Essay writing at its best is a form of discourse in which the writer marshals
evidence and exerts vigorous reasoning in support of a well conceived course of
action.

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• The writer must select evidence and his or her elaborative details that provide both
a rationale and logical support for a well formulated and clear-cut course of action.

• This course of action must be supported by an appropriate and consistent tone that
firmly asserts the writer’s attitude toward his or her content.

Substantial Supporting Evidence and Elaboration

• A successful writer supports his or her analysis of the prompt with adequate
supporting detail. Supporting evidence may include:

• Facts • Descriptive details

• Statistics • Reasoning
• Events • Expert opinion
• Definitions • Logical conclusions
• Judgments • Specificity, rather than
• Anecdotal evidence generalization, is always preferable

LANGUAGE STYLE AND CONVENTIONS

• Control of sentence structure

• Appropriate word choice
• Grammatical and syntactical correctness
• Mechanical accuracy

• Use clear transitions, grade level vocabulary, effective and varied sentence
structure and variety, and effective paragraphing.

Language Style
• This domain assesses the effectiveness and appropriateness of the student’s
choice, use, and arrangement of words and sentence structures.

• The student’s use of language should serve to create an effective and appropriate
tone and a consistent and powerful voice.

• The student should use language to communicate his/her ideas clearly and
effectively.

Conventions
• This domain assesses the correctness of the student’s grammar, mechanics
(spelling, capitalization, punctuation), usage, and sentence formations.

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Tips
TIPS FOR WRITING A SUCCESSFUL ESSAY
Topic Choices
• You will have a choice between three essay prompts, which may focus on any of the
following subject areas: art, economics, literature, music, science, or social science.
(Specific examples can be found in USAD® Essay Exam Booklet–Supplemental
Materials.)

Title
• A title is not required, but is sometimes a measure of maturity, creativity, or mastery of
the content.

Treatment of Prompt
• Students should deal directly with the prompt that they have been given.

• Using a direct quote from the prompt is not essential, but you should clearly
demonstrate your responsiveness to the prompt by using key words and ideas.

• If the prompt is unusually long or complex, the you may choose to deal only with its
most significant aspects.

• Because of time limitations, you may not have time to deal with all aspects of the
prompt.

Time Frame
• You must write the essay in 50 minutes.

• Aim to set aside 2-3 minutes to proofread, you will not have time to rework or recopy
your essay.

• Judges will regard the essay as a thoughtful first manuscript.

Purpose of Essay
• Communication is the aim of all good writing. You should communicate with
directness and voice and in a manner responsive to the topic you have selected.

Thesis
• The thesis should provide a sense of organization that introduces the rest of the
essay. A good thesis predicts, controls, and governs the essay.

• The structure of the essay is inherent in a strong thesis, but a thesis need not
introduce each of the supporting points.

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Paragraph Development
• Paragraphing in an “in-class” essay is always difficult.

• Paragraphs should provide evidence of organization, elaboration of ideas, and

coherence.

• The ideas and the writing style within each paragraph are much more important
than the number of paragraphs in an essay, but most essays will range from 3 to 5
paragraphs long.

Skill Level
• Most Decathletes are juniors and seniors. Essays will be evaluated according to that
vocabulary and skill level.

• Structural, usage, or mechanics errors that affect the communication of ideas or

obscure meaning should be deemed more serious than minor flaws, but even minor
breeches can remove an essay from the 900 range.

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Sample Essays

• You will be required to type your essay at nationals.

• The correct spelling of misspelled words has been provided in red in the following
essays.

ANCHOR PAPER PROMPT:

“The will is never free––it is always attached to an object, a purpose. It is simply

the engine in the car––it can’t steer.”
––Joyce Cary (British author)

Discuss the perspective that any one of the psychologists, philosophers, or religions
included in this year’s curriculum would have regarding the above quotation, and
compare and contrast that perspective with the viewpoint any other psychologist,
philosopher, or religion would likely have on the matter.

ANCHOR PAPER A

Joyce Cary once said, “The will is never free–it is always attached to an object, a purpose.
It is simply the engine in the car–it can’t steer.” Cary’s quote is similar to the philosophy of Soren
Kirkegard even though they are both from different backgrounds and time periods.

Joyce Cary’s quote is expressing his viewpoint on life. Cary believed that the will of
humans can never free. Everyone has a will, but this will is attached to a object or a purpose. A
will being free is impossible since one cannot will for something that does not exist. The essence
of the will is always there because people have unlimiting wants. Joyce then gives the example
that the will is like a engine in a car. The engine powers the car, but there is nothing to control
the car. The objects and purposes control the direction of the will. Without someone to steer the
car. There is no need for an engine; just as if no purpose or object was desired there would be no
reason for a will.

Soren Kirkegard was a philosopher that had the same basic viewpoint on life. Kirkegard’s
philosophy was based on essence precedes existence. Kirkegard believed that one did not
existence if they did not interact with life. He uses the example of a person riding a horse. A
person on a horse and just riding and not leading the horse did not really exist. The essence of the
person is there but the horse is determining his path for him. The person riding a horse directing it
along the path existed. He is in control of his life and is not just riding along.

Joyce Cary and Soren Kirkegard have the same basic view of life. Joyce Cary being a
British author and Soren Kirkegard being German philosopher have total different backgrounds
but still the same in the way they life their lives.
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ANCHOR PAPER A: ASSESSMENT

Focus/Scope—Organization—Content/Development
This student’s essay addresses the prompt in a very limited manner. The student
does not compare and contrast the views that any two of the selected philosophers/
psychologists/religions would have regarding the given quotation. Instead, the student
simply compares the view expressed in the quotation with the views of a single
philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard.

The student fails to maintain a consistent focus throughout the essay, and the essay is
not clearly organized around a central point. The essay’s introduction is weak and lacks
an emphatic thesis statement—the student simply states that Joyce Cary and Søren
Kierkegaard have similar views of free will, but does not indicate exactly what their views
are. The student’s conclusion is likewise lacking in substance, as it merely restates
the student’s view that Kierkegaard and Cary “have the same basic view toward life.”
Moreover, while the student’s thesis is that Søren Kierkegaard and the author of the
quotation have similar views of fate and free will, the body of the essay does not remain
focused on supporting this claim.

The essay is insufficiently developed—the evidence provided is superficial and confusing

and does not provide substantial support for the student’s claim that Kierkegaard and
Cary have the same views on free will. In the first paragraph of the body, the student
attempts to explain the given quotation, but the discussion is confusing and repetitive.
For example, the student writes, “A will being free is impossible since one cannot will for
something that does not exist. The essence of the will is always there because people
have unlimiting wants.” And, the student further confounds the reader by stating that,
“without someone to steer the car there is no need for an engine; just as if no purpose
or object was desired there would be no reason for a will.” In the second paragraph of
the body, the student tries to explain Kierkegaard’s view on free will, but here the student
seems to indicate that Kierkegaard did indeed believe in free will (which in fact he did),
and thus contradicts his/her original thesis.
Total for A: 15 (Weak)
Language/Style/Conventions
This student lacks some control of his/her sentence structures. The student’s
phrasing is often simplistic and makes for a choppy read, and his/her vocabulary is
somewhat limited. The essay also has some serious grammatical problems—there are
inconsistencies in tense, problems with agreement (e.g., “…one did not existence if they
did not interact…”) incorrect articles (e.g., “a” instead of “an”), and misused or misspelled
words (e.g., “unlimiting wants,” “one did not existence,” “controll the car,” and “total
different backgrounds” “Kirkegard”).
Total for B: 15 (Weak)
Overall Score: 150

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ANCHOR PAPER B

Perhaps the most interesting figure in modern developmental psychology was Burrhus
Frederic Skinner. His many extreme views and theses earned him his reputation as a “radical
behaviorist”, though many of his opinions are widely accepted today. Skinner balked at the term
of “free will”, and his radical determinism would play a key role in Skinnerian psychology.
Another controversial figure, French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, had previously expounded
upon his notion that “man is condemned to be free”. The two men espoused strikingly different
thoughts about fate’s role in the human life; Skinner’s deterministic approach rebukes the freedom
of Sartre’s philosophy.

As a behaviorist, Skinner believed that man’s actions are determined solely by

environmental factors. Feeling, emotions, and thoughts, Skinner argued, are only effects of the
environment and play no causal role. Therefore Skinner believed that there is no “free will”;
the mind can only react to its surroundings. This is the cornerstone of Skinner’s approach to
psychology, but its controversy has hindered its widespread acceptance. Skinner’s method relies
on the environment, including hereditary factors, but he plays down the emphasis Freud placed
on the unconscious, preferring to rely upon observable behavior. Skinner would have agreed with
Joyce Cary’s quotation, believing “the will is never free”. Skinner would further suggest that the
individual “cant steer” its way through life; it must be determined by external factors

Equally controversial but no less intriguing is Sartre’s atheistic existentialism. Sartre

rejected the concept of God, placing importance instead upon man’s existential condition. By
talking atheism seriously, Sartre implied that “man’s existence precedes his essence”, a key
concept for existentialism. Without a Creator, man must face the nature of his own existence,
questioning his identity. The absence of a heaven or “higher authority” leaves man alone in his
journey through life, forcing him to make his own decisions, deciding his own fate. In this manner
Sartre stated, “man is condemned to be free.” Therefore Sartre would attack the quotation of
Joyce Cary, emphasizing the importance of man’s free will in finding a solution to his existential
condition.

Both Skinner and Sartre approach their opinions with a scientific outlook. However,
Skinner’s emphasis on psychology and human behavior contrasts greatly with Sartre’s
philosophical methods. Skinner’s radical determinism is a cry from Sartre’s notions of being, and
indeed the two thinkers have little in common with respect their views on free will. Both however,
did recognize the role of society upon the individual. Skinner recognized that the actions of others
reinforce behaviors, and Sartre noted that man is complicated by the effects on society of the
decisions he makes.

Ultimately, however, B.F. Skinner’s and Jean-Paul Sartre’s opinions on free will are
diametrically opposed. Both take rather extreme opinions, and the concensus (consensus) of
philosophers and psychologists tends to agree with a more centrist stance. It is clearly evident,
though, that regardless of the approach to the problem, the question of man’s free will remains
unsolved, ensuring lively debate for the thinkers of the future.

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ANCHOR PAPER B: ASSESSMENT

Focus/Scope—Organization—Content/Development
This student addresses the prompt in an effective manner. He/she presents an
impressive comparison of B. F. Skinner and Jean Paul Sartre’s views on free will, and the
student’s focus on this subject remains consistent throughout the essay. However, while
the scope of the essay is adequate, the student’s discussion of the actual quotation that
is a key part of the given prompt is somewhat minimal. Though the student addresses
the ideas the quotation expresses, he/she does not mention the actual quotation until
the end of the second paragraph. The essay would be improved if the quotation were
specifically discussed in the student’s introduction.

The student’s essay is clearly and logically organized. The student’s introduction
presents his/her thesis that Sartre and Skinner “espoused strikingly different thoughts
about fate’s role in the human life” and that “Skinner’s deterministic approach rebukes
the freedom of Sartre’s philosophy.” The first paragraph in the body of the essay
discusses Skinner’s perspective on free will while the paragraph thereafter focuses on
Sartre’s view of free will. The final paragraph of the body compares and contrasts these
two perspectives, and the conclusion restates the student’s thesis and wraps up the
essay by making note of wider views on the topic of free will. The student transitions
quite smoothly from one paragraph to the next, as can be seen in the transition into the
third paragraph of the essay, “Equally controversial, but no less intriguing….”

The student provides substantial information on the theories held by Sartre and Skin-
ner to support the focal point of his/her essay—that Skinner’s and Sartre’s opinions on
free will are diametrically opposed. For example, the student explains Skinner’s view
that “Feelings, emotions, and thoughts…are only effects of the environment and play no
causal role.” And, he/she points to Sartre’s view that, “The absence of heaven or ‘higher
authority’ leaves man alone in his journey through life, forcing him to make his own
decisions, deciding his own fate.”
Total for A: 84 (Excellent)
Language/Style/Conventions
The student demonstrates a strong command of language and uses appropriate and
varied vocabulary to express his/her ideas. However, in a couple of cases, the student’s
word choice and word order are awkward (e.g., “the role of society upon the individual”
and “…man is complicated by the effects on society of the decisions he makes”).

The student is adept at using a variety of sentence structures, and, for the most part, his/
her mechanics are sound. However, in a couple of instances, the student’s sentences
lack parallelism, as he/she makes rather awkward use of participial phrases (e.g., “…
man must face the nature of his own existence, questioning his identity”)
Total for B: 72 (Excellent)
Overall Score: 816
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ANCHOR PAPER C

The concept of free will is somewhat ironic. What exactly is free will? For, aren’t we
all motivated by some inner force? It is not merely will that drives us, but some underlying
drive or purpose, even a goal that we wish to attain, that steers our will. Joyce Cary’s quotation
follows with this idea in that she sates “The will is never free–it is always attached to an object,
a purpose.” Human beings are motivated, not simply by will or drive, but by attaining something
or finding meaning or a purpose. Therefore, how truly free is “will” if it is stimulated by an
underlying drive or urge. Is will not then objective? It does not flow wild and free like a Zephyr,
but rather is on a premeditated path towards a distant sight or plan.

In following with the theme of underling urges and drives, I turn to Sigmond Freud. Freud
would have most likely, agreed with this quote. Freud believed that human behavior was rooted
in subconscious mind systems the ego and the id. Through his early methods of psychoanalysis
Freud theorized, that human nature was controlled by these two superposing forces. Freud found
subcutaneous explanations for every human emotion and action. He would have agreed that will
was not truly free. He too, would have seen that will was unconcious (unconscious) , and was
powered by an object or purpose. He would have agreed that will would take its own direction
towards that object or purpose. His in depth analysis of the human psyche noted that many
actions were subconscious and uncontrollable, and that this in fact, was natural. Will is one of
those actions when we have a will to something, it does not merely appear and freely take course.
It is usually firmly rooted in a desire or aspiration. If the will is strong enough it will happen.
Therefore, I ask again, how is will “free” if it is set on such a direct course?

A similar question might have been approached by Jean Jacques Rousseau, the developer
of the idea of “social contract.” Rousseau argued that the government should be by the will of
the people. He is similar to Freud, in that he too, probably would have agreed that will was not
indeed free but set on a clear path. Rousseau’s idea of the general will was revolutionary for his
time because it proposed that the people should have more say in government affairs during a
reign of autocratic role. However, Rousseau differs slightly from Freud because the people’s will
is somewhat still directed by the ruler. How is will free, again, if it is given a specific direction
or purpose by some higher power. Rousseau did not argue for complete free will of the people,
therefore it was not truly the peoples desires and wills, but still remained closely tied to that of
the autocracy. However, even if the will is tied to the autocracy we can still return to the, original
quotation that will in fact is not free. For, even the will of the ruler over his people would be
directed towards keeping control and maintaining power. In order to maintain this role, Rousseau
encouraged a pragmatic approach. If a ruler must do what works to maintain power, then how is
his will free? It is forced to follow the pragmatic path in order to maintain political stability.

It is a perplexing thought, but I offer one final argument. There is an old saying that “Where
there’s a will, there’s a way.” This seems to testify to the fact that will is not free and that it is set
on a clear path. The quote suggests that if one desires something enough, or works hard enough,
it can be achieved. While I am a strong supporter of this sentiment, it does seem to suggest that
will is indeed like the engine of a car and that it can’t steer, according to Cary. Doesn’t this prove

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that will is driven by a goal or purpose? It is always attached to attaining something. This phrase
is often associated with lofty dreams or visions, but it does suggest that will is driven by a “way.”
That way is our goal or desire and our will is a way to achieve this.

If will is merely a vehicle to attaining something then it is certainly not ever free. It is set
on a fixed course of attaining a set goal or purpose. Freud, Rousseau, and I’m sure many other
would agree that, “The will is never free–it is always attached to an object, a purpose. It is simply
the engine in the car–it cant steer.”–Joyce Cary If you look at the quotation logically it makes
sense. You simply have to think of something that you want or wish to do. Your will helps you
to accomplish this. Therefore your will is not free, but set on a direct course where there’s a will
there’s a way because we have the power to direct our will and steer it in the direction that we
wish.

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ANCHOR PAPER C: ASSESSMENT

Focus/Scope—Organization—Content/Development
This student’s essay addresses the prompt in a fairly basic manner. While the student
does discuss the viewpoints held by Freud and Rousseau regarding free will, his/her
discussion lacks focus. The student makes no mention of Freud or Rousseau in his/
her introductory paragraph, but instead analyzes the given quotation in a repetitive and
often confusing fashion, and his/her main point is unclear. In the body of the essay, the
student often strays from the topic at hand and meanders into a discussion of his/her
own perspectives on the matter rather than focusing on Freud and Rousseau. The third
paragraph of the body, in which the student analyzes the adage, “Where there’s a will
there’s a way,” is irrelevant to the comparison of Freud and Rousseau.

The essay as a whole is organized adequately. The student opens with a discussion of
the given quotation, and then follows with a discussion of Freud and then Rousseau.
And, the student creates relatively smooth transitions from one paragraph to the next.
However, organization is lacking within each of the paragraphs, as the focus is often
obscured by tangential discussions.

Though the student does provide some pertinent information regarding Freud and
Rousseau’s views, the development of this material is stunted by the student’s lack of
focus. For example, while the first paragraph of the body does a fair job of explaining
Freud’s view on free will, the student mutes the effectiveness of this paragraph by ending
it with five sentences worth of his/her personal views on the matter. The student could
have presented his/her ideas more clearly and certainly more concisely.

In some cases, the student’s arguments are weakened by excessive qualifications, e.g.,
“probably would have agreed,” “would have most likely agreed,” “somewhat still directed,”
“does seem to suggest,” “seems to testify,” etc. Furthermore, the information presented is
at times contradictory. Throughout the essay, the student argues that free will is not truly
free because our choices are guided by our goals, and our goals are, in turn, determined
by the circumstances that surround us. However, at the culmination of the essay, the
student completely contradicts his/her thesis by stating that, “We have the power to direct
our will and steer it in the direction that we wish.”
Total for A: 50 (Fair)
Language/Style/Conventions
By and large, the student’s grammar, usage, and mechanics are sound, though there
are a couple of errors, e.g., “Therefore it was not truly the people’s desires and wills,
but still remained closely tied to that of the autocracy,” “superposing forces.” But, for
the most part, the student constructs his/her sentences rather well. The student’s word
choice is adequate but at times awkward, e.g., “subcutaneous explanations,” “somewhat
still directed by,” “certainly not ever free.” Moreover, while the student has a natural,

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almost conversational style of writing, he/she overuses rhetorical questions, and thus
undermines their effectiveness.
Total for B: 56 (Good)
Overall Score: 512

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EXHIBIT A: OFF-PROMPT ESSAY

The Pathway

‘The white feathers told us,

‘I think therefore I can be free’
and the Great Mother in each of us
~~the poet~~
whispers in our dreams,
‘I feel, therefore I can be free.’

The dream is the small hidden door that is the deepest and most intimate sancrum (sactrum)
of our soul, through it the spark leaps out the that ignites a whole new world. A world that has no
complexe (complex) formulated answers or proofs. Often when we try to travle (travel) through
this doorway, we lose ourselves in the brief moment in time entwined between reality and the
unconscious. When in reality we learn to disillusion ourselves from our dreams; we are caught up
in the claws of rational thinking. We think that our will is not free, and has it’s own path that we
can’t steer away from. Why do we believe such rational thoughts? For when all we have to do is
listen for the whispers in our dreams, for our own direction.

Long before the white feather landed on their land, there was a young boy that all ready
walked these lands. He was a large child with dark brown hair, long and braded (braided). He was
all by himself for he had not had a good meal in the past three days. He was an out cast from his
people, although he was not alone. The young boy was searching for a pathway to lean him on a
journey to enlitenment (enlightenment). But first he must open the door to the path.

All the boys life he had never had any great pains, he was always fed and never harmed
or overworked in any way. He was more the people around him then he was himself. He was not
ready to take the wheel of his own life yet. As time went on the boy grew older and began to hear
more things. After the had heard the whispers, he was sent out to find there source. It is only to the
boys surprise that after searching so long, he finds that the wishers are coming from within.

Today we find ourselves listening to other people and not ourselves. Our wills and drives
our traveling down someone elses (else’s) path; and we are afraid to leave the road. It is as simple
as opening a door, for the places it leads to only you can controll (control). If you feel for yourself,
your trully (truly) can be free.

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EXHIBIT B: OFF PROMPT ESSAY ASSESSMENT

• This essay was written in response to the sample prompt, which is not provided in
this Resource Guide.

• An off-prompt essay is an essay that does not address the given prompt in
any manner; such essays will often focus on a topic on which the student has
pre-prepared an essay.

• All off-prompt, illegible, insufficient, or blank essays receive a score of zero.

• If the two judges agree that an essay is off-prompt, then they each will mark the
“Off Prompt” box on their respective Scantron forms. No score will be given, as all
off-prompt essays should receive a zero score.

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EXHIBIT C: USAD® ESSAY EVALUATION FORM

22
 Facilities/Security Chairperson
Revised 8/1/2015

1. Assist meet coordinator in determining building site and rooms needed. Prepare map
showing utilization of rooms.

2. Appoint committee to make needed building signs.

3. Arrange for a phone receptionist, nurse, custodian, and security personnel to be on duty
during the meet. Assign security to circulate in designated areas.

4. Appoint a committee to receive student name/ID labels and tape to desks in testing
rooms.

5. Assist Super Quiz committee in providing seating and equipment for Super Quiz Relay.

6. Provide schedule to custodians to make sure rooms are unlocked at required times.

7. Be available throughout meet for needs that arise.

8. Assist in equipment needed for awards program, if it is on campus.

Facility Needs
1 Meet office It may or may not be the school office. It needs to be
where the phone number is that has been given in
advance for calls from parents, schools, etc. It should
be manned at all hours during Friday and Saturday. It
is the information desk.
1 Appeals office Located where the fax machine or computer with
internet access is that will receive and send appeals to
the state office.
1 Scoring room Ideally, near the test distribution room.
1 Test distribution room Locate, if possible, near the test scoring room as well
as to the testing rooms.
1 Team room per team Since only 11 people in room, a regular size classroom
is not necessary. Room may be smaller.
1 Essay grading area Library is a good place. As essay grading is over
before academic tests, library could also be used for
Saturday test distribution room.
1 Spectator gym Is gym large enough to seat team, parents, and
administration? Number in attendance may cause
coordinator to consider a facility outside of the school
district.
1 Auditorium for meet assembly Optional
1 Facility for awards program Must be large enough to house all spectators. Civic

FACILITIES-1
 auditorium may be needed.
1 School nurse’s office
1 Area for registration How about registering teams at their hotels as they
arrive? If all/most schools are local, try an area near
the front entrance of the school.
1 Speech/Interview tabulation room Needed only if you are not using the program that calls
for “bubble” Scantron judges’ sheets.
1 Hospitality room for coaches Optional if goodies are provided to teams and coaches
through the team rooms or a central “goodie” place.
9 Speech rooms and 9 Interview rooms Sufficient for a meet of 20 teams with rooms
designated V1,V2,V3,S4,S5,S6,H7,H8,H9. State meet
requires 18 rooms of each. In both arrangements, it
will take four hours to complete these two events.
Meets with number of schools between 20 and 40 may
require a number of rooms between 18 and 36. In all
cases, only Varsity students test in V rooms, Scholastic
students in S rooms, and Honor students in H rooms.

1 Speech orientation room Large enough to accommodate speech judges.

1 Interview orientation room Large enough to accommodate interview judges.
1 Speech training room Will be same area where essays are graded.
1 set of walkie-talkies Six to eight walkie-talkies to be used by chair persons
who communicate regularly with coordinator at state or
region meets.
1 Area for posting scores Only if scoreboard is used.
Rooms for essays and written tests A 20-school meet could put one student from each
team in the nine rooms labeled the same as
speech/interview and have 20 students testing in each
room. This is not a requirement. If short of testing
rooms, the number of students per room may be
increased to 30, thus requiring only 6 rooms. In tight
situations the testing rooms could also be used jointly
as speech/interview rooms. Arena testing is advisable.

FACILITIES-2
 Food Service
Revised 8/1/2015

1. Determine before the school year begins if the food coordinator will be the host high
school cafeteria manager or the director of food services for the school district. Share
with him/her what will be needed for the meet.

2. If the hotels are providing a free breakfast as part of their costs, this will reduce greatly
the needs for breakfasts. In fact, the only breakfast need would be for Saturday morning
proctors.

3. The meals normally to be prepared are:

Friday Noon (depending on school dismissal time and team arrival time)
Friday Evening (for essay, speech, interview proctors and judges, as well as
for teams)
Saturday Breakfast (depending on what is provided by hotels)
Saturday Noon (most teams will utilize this meal)
*Saturday Evening (banquets that are held at some region meets)

*Banquets may choose to use catering services other than the local school district food
services department.

4. Participating schools will be expected to pay for all meals they eat. Meet coordinator will
survey all schools prior to meet and will know exactly how many people will be served.
Schools will know costs of each meal and will pay in advance or upon arrival.

5. Most schools prefer to eat their meals (whether prepared by the school or ordered in) in
their team rooms.

6. It is customary for the host school to provide and pay for snacks for the teams. Snacks
may be prepared in advance and delivered to each team room or snacks may be set up at
building locations and be picked up by students (teams) throughout the time they are in
the building.

7. Schools may submit a “special requests” form that will stipulate “special dietary” needs
which the food provider will accommodate.

8. Depending on the actual times that Decathlon events are scheduled (near to a meal time),
meals will be provided free for essay graders, judges, and proctors.

FOOD-1
 Honesty Statement
Revised 8-02-2015

It is expected that all students will be honest in all areas of testing. In instances viewed
as dishonest, the meet appeals committee will have the final decision which may be any
of the following:

 Student may be removed from all competition.

 Student may be penalized the full value of (1,000 points) of any one of the ten
events.

 Student may be penalized a partial amount for an event.

The appeals committee has the right to consult the state office in any situation that it
desires.

HONESTY - 1
 Hotel Accommodations
Revised 8/1/2015

1. As soon as a district knows it will be hosting a Decathlon meet, it should secure

rooms for the appropriate dates.

2. Teams attending competition in Texas SHOULD (if at all possible) stay at the
contracted hotel.

3. Reasonable rates should be secured as some schools have limits as to what the
school will pay. The same rates should be available to students, coaches, parents,
and administrators.

4. While not required, the possibility of including a breakfast of some type as part of
the rate should be investigated.

5. The proximity of the hotel to the competition site should also be considered.

6. At some locations at state competition, it is not possible to house all people in one
hotel. So it is acceptable to have more than one hotel available with rates quoted
and rooms reserved in advance.

7. Host districts may wish to use the hotels rather than the host schools as the place
to hand out information packets depending on the Friday dismissal time of the
students and the time remaining between school dismissal and the first
competition event.

8. The packet that is given to the region winners at the awards program and that is
mailed two days later when the at-large teams are determined should contain all
needed information about the hotels at state in order for these schools to make
reservations immediately.

9. The packet in #8 should also include a map and directions to the hotel as well as
from the hotel to the host school site.

HOTEL-1
 Interview
Revised 8/1/2015

An interview has two primary functions - to give information and to get information. In the
framework of the Decathlon, most of the interviewing process will be devoted to your
“getting” information from the students. It is important that the interviews be objective and
consistently uniform. All students should have the same opportunity to express themselves in
this competition. Remember the students are likely to be a little nervous and apprehensive.
Create an atmosphere that is as relaxed and informal as possible. The goal is to provide a
setting which is conducive to the students’ performing to the best of their abilities.

The interview experience should assist students in learning to present themselves in a positive
manner when interviewing for a job, scholarship, or any competitive position. It should also
give them the experience of learning to listen and respond in an appropriate manner. The
objective of the program is to give students opportunities to develop oral communication skills.

Conduct of the Interview

1. Do not ask any questions regarding race, creed, ethnic groups, national origin or
ancestry, political beliefs, affiliations, mutual acquaintances or any questions that
can be construed as same.
2. Do be alert to help the students relax and talk if you sense any apprehension.
3. After the student leaves the room, rate the student on the rating sheets you will be
provided. It is distracting to the student to rate while he or she is speaking. (You
may make notes during the interview for rating the student but keep it to a minimum).
4. Do be an “active” listener. Listen not only to what is being said but also observe
how it is said, i.e., tone of voice, vocabulary, facial expression, gestures, etc.
5. Avoid controversy in the interview. Arguing, interrupting or displaying authority
will put the student on the defensive.
6. Do ask open-ended questions, i.e. questions that cannot be answered by a “yes” or
“no." Certain words facilitate open-ended responses while others encourage the
opposite result. Open Closed
What Is
Why Do
How Has
Tell me Can
Give an example Will
Explain Shall
7. The interview will generally last between 6 and 7 minutes. When the interviewers
have used 5 minutes, the timer will show the card with a 2, indicating two minutes
remaining. At 6 minutes, the timer will show the card with 1. At seven minutes, the
timer will show the card with 0. This indicates the interviewers have used all of the
allotted time. Closure to the interview should begin at the six-minute mark. Students
should be allowed to finish sentences and thoughts.

INTERVIEW-1
8. The interview seating arrangement is given below. Interviewers will set at a desk, a
table or in chair desks where they have a place to write. The student sits in a regular
straight-back chair with no arms. The timer is seated behind and out of sight of the
student.
Timer
Student
Interviewer Interviewer
Interviewer

9. A maximum of 1000 points may be earned for the interview. There are no penalties
for the interview. The scores for each of the three judges are added and divided by
three. If the average is not a whole number, it is averaged to .3 or to .7.
Example A: 870 + 850 + 820 = 2540 divided by 3 = 846.7
Example B: 870 + 850 + 810 = 2530 divided by 3 = 843.3
The computer Scantron form (Interview 7) does the same calculations and arrives
instantly at the same final score.

10. A CD is available from the state office to demonstrate.

11. Interview questions should come from these areas.

a. Selecting a college or university
b. Selecting a field of study in college or identifying a career employment goal.
c. Individual and team preparation for the Decathlon. (Includes how the individual
and school became interested and/or involved.)
d. Values that have strongly influenced the student’s life.
e. Most difficult event in the Decathlon.
f. Most influential person in student’s life.

12. Sample of open-ended questions—

Tell me about your involvement in ……
What are some of your most memorable experiences as……
How did your involvement in ……influence you?
What skills are necessary to be on the ……(sports, Model UN, etc.)?
What factors did you consider in selecting a college?
Why did you select (college or profession)?
What are (were) your responsibilities as ……
How would you go about choosing a career (college, job, etc.)?
What made you decide to be on the Decathlon team?
Tell me about your experiences in ……
Who is or has been the most influential person in your life, and why?
How were you selected for the Academic Decathlon team from your school?
What was the selection process?

INTERVIEW-2
INTERVIEW-3
 RATING SCALE

VOICE is the way a speaker controls volume, clarity, and distinctness of voice to gain greater
audibility. Voice should have a variety in the rate, volume, and pitch to engage interest, hold
attention, and convey self-assurance.
LANGUAGE USAGE refers to the appropriate choice of words, proper use of grammar and
correct enunciation. Language should promote clear understanding of thoughts and be
appropriate for the occasion.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS are measured by the candidate’s ability to establish rapport with
interviewers. The candidate’s response should correspond to and interact with the interviewers’
questions, and he/she should stimulate an involvement with the interviewers.
NON-VERBAL LANGUAGE refers to the manner in which the candidate uses gestures, facial
expressions, and physical involvement for effective communication. Through the interview
process, the individual reveals: problem-solving skills, organizational skills, analytical skills and
promotional skills. When asking the candidate questions, keep these in mind. Help the
candidate develop experience in answering questions that reveal these skills.
MANNER is measured through the candidate’s ability to speak with enthusiasm and assurance
while showing interest in the interviewers and confidence in their reactions. The candidate
should be direct in his/her response.
LISTENING SKILLS refers to the ability to analyze and interpret “what is being asked.” In
order to answer skillfully and address the issue being considered, the candidate must listen
carefully and attentively. The candidate’s responses to the questions will give an indication of
his/her level of attention and ability to identify, sort, and process the information being
requested.
ANSWERING SKILLS refers to the ability to 1) address the issue being considered; 2) present
information in a clear and concise manner; 3) organize information in a logical and sequential
order; 4) adjust responses appropriately to a variety of audiences; and 5) pace conversation to
convey necessary information and achieve purpose. Order, logic, imagination, intelligence, and
other personal qualities are reflected in the way answers are given. All information presented
should be relevant to the question being asked.
RESPONSES refer to the quality of the answers given. The candidate should reflect on the
questions to provide thoughtful and insightful responses. A well thought-out answer engages the
interviewers’ attention and gives insight into the candidate’s personal qualities, skills, goals, and
experiences. Relevant examples and illustrations support the answers. The candidates should
speak with certainty and conviction.
OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS is measured by the 1) nature of information provided; 2)
manner in which it was communicated; and 3) overall impression it created. Some of the
questions to consider are: Did the candidate provide the information requested in a skillful
manner? Was the information relevant and meaningful? Was the candidate able to achieve a
positive impression of his/her skills, experiences and personal qualities?
APPEARANCE refers to the appropriate attire of the candidate. In addition to attire, the
student’s demeanor is also a consideration.

INTERVIEW-4
 Interview Chairperson

A. Duties/Responsibilities

1. Secure experienced interviewers (30) as judges — 3 per test room, plus 3

alternates who help tabulate (for each set of 9 judging rooms)

2. Secure nine timekeepers. These may come from the pool of assistants contacted by
the Chairperson of Proctors and Runners or from your own resources. The
timekeeper should be an adult0.

3. Secure at least four people to verify scores in the interview scoring room if manual
scoring forms are used (instead of Scantron bubble sheets).

4. For judges’ orientation, secure from the state office the CD of students in an
interview with examples of superior and average interviews, the introduction script,
and PowerPoint of score sheets.

5. Procure necessary materials and supplies (see materials list).

6. Confirm room locations for interviews with the Building Facilities Chairperson and
assign judges to appropriate rooms. Fill out all forms with name and numbers in
appropriate blanks.

7. Prepare two packets for each judge (A list of materials and forms to be placed in the
packets follows in this section):

a. One to be mailed to judges for study prior to the orientation meeting.

b. One for distribution in competition day packet.

8. Provide Food Coordinator a count of personnel (judges, timers, scorers) who will be
eating at the contest site.

If not using Scantron scoring sheets, duplicate copies of the score report sheets and
any other forms to be used in the scoring room for Interview.

10. Prepare packets for Chairpersons and timekeepers.

11. Orient timers demonstrating the interview and use of time cards 2 - l - 0.

12. Re-confirm judges’ participation the day preceding competition. Complete judges’
name tags.

13. Put names/numbers on score sheets the night before competition.

INTERVIEW-5
 14. Check to see that each interview room has been properly set up before
competition day.

15. The interview chairperson will determine the manner of getting students to their
respective interview rooms by
a. giving each coach the schedule, room number, and a floor plan and expecting
him/her to have the students on time at the interview rooms, or
b. having runners pick up students at their team rooms, or
c. having runners pick up students at a holding area near the interview rooms.
Runners may be students.

16. Prior to competition hold Judges’ Orientation Meeting; show interview CD and
explain scoring. Extend meeting for special instructions to nine room chairpersons.

17. Instruct personnel in scoring room about scoring forms.

18. Deliver (or supervise the delivery of) official results in interview to the scoring
center.

19. Summarize suggestions for improvement and give one copy of the report to the
Contest Day Chairperson and one to next year’s chairperson.

20. Be available throughout the competition day. Make the test scoring room your
base. Scoring room should have calculators for the six scorers to double-check all
sheets before turning them into Score Computation. Compile scores for
interview and deliver to the Test Scoring Center, unless using computer Scantron
forms.

21. Make duplicates of scoring sheets unless using computer Scantron forms and return
these to each school on Saturday morning for verification.

22. Send appropriate thank-you notes.

B. Materials (Based on 30 judges)

Duplicated Forms: Other Materials:
Suggestions for the Interviewer *Calculator – 1 per room plus 3 for Scoring
Topics of Interview Questions *Judges’ Training – CD
Sample student name tag *Time cards – runners to hold up to inform
Scores for Interview Session judges when time is up
Master schedule *Pencils – 30
Outline of Rotation Schedule *Name tags for judges
Interview Judge Time Schedule *Packet envelopes
Evaluation Sheet *Thank-you notes

INTERVIEW-6
 Interview
Resource
Guide

The vision of the United States Academic

Decathlon® is to provide students the opportunity
to excel academically through team competition.
Toll Free: 866-511-USAD (8723) • Direct: 712-366-3700 • Fax: 712-366-3701 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.usad.org
This material may not be reproduced or transmitted, in whole or in part, by any means, including but not limited to photocopy, print, electronic,
or internet display (public or private sites) or downloading, without prior written permission from USAD. Violators may be prosecuted.
Copyright © 2014 by United States Academic Decathlon®. All rights reserved.
 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Interview Guidelines 4
Interview Guidelines 4

Preparation 4
Preparing for Your Interview 4
Your Interview 7

Detailed Analysis of the Interview Rubric 9

The Interview Rubric 9
Detailed Analysis of the Interview Rubric 9

Potential Questions 12
Potential Interview Questions 12

Exhibit A: Sample Resume 1 14

Exhibit B: Sample Resume 2 15
Exhibit C: USAD® Interview Evaluation Form 16

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

Introduction
THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON® SUBJECTIVE EVENTS

The Academic Decathlon® competition contains three subjective events: Speech,

Interview, and Essay. Each event is evaluated separately by a panel of judges who score
the event by completing rubrics supplied by USAD®. The scores of the judges are then
averaged, and the student receives a score based on a scale of 1000.

The United States Academic Decathlon® is happy to provide the Interview Resource
Guide to assist students as they prepare for the Academic Decathlon® Interview event.
Because there are subtle differences in the way Academic Decathlon® events are
conducted in different locations it is difficult to write a Interview Resource Guide that will
fit every situation. We hope you find the materials both helpful and practical.

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

Interview Guidelines
INTERVIEW GUIDELINES
• In the interview event, a panel of two to three judges, usually seated in classroom
desks or at tables, interview a student seated in a chair.

• The interview lasts seven minutes and is structured according to the typi-
cal questioning pattern of business interviews–with both standard and follow-up
questioning patterns.

• Interview questions for Decathlon contests are usually, but not always, limited to:

• High school classes • Preparation and experiences in

• Academic interests Academic Decathlon®
• High school activities • Influential persons
• Career and college plans • Role models
• Travel

• You will be scored on a rubric and evaluated on listening and answering skills,
language use, and overall effectiveness.

• Practicing with the rubric is a great strategy for improving the interview score.

• Videotaped self-evaluations and peer evaluation are also helpful.

• Scoring follows the same guidelines as in speech; scores are based on 1000 points.

• The best strategy for being a good interviewee is for you to practice talking to adults
about a variety of subjects, including yourself-goals, interests, hobbies, career plans,
etc.

• This will increase your poise with an adult audience and will make your responses
more interesting, appropriate and spontaneous.

Preparing
PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
• The interview is your opportunity to allow the judges to get to know you. Make a good
impression!

• The skills you acquire while preparing for the Interview event will continue to help you
throughout your life.

• Think of the Interview event as a guided conversation.

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

• Take a deep breath, smile, and have fun!

Tentative Steps for Preparing

1. Resume
2. Appearance and non-verbal communication
3. Practice, practice, practice

Resume
• Each Decathlete is asked to construct a resume that tells about himself/herself.

• The resume will not be judged. However, the content of the resume will assist the
interview judges in engaging the Decathlete in a successful interview.

• A good resume will go a long way toward helping make a good impression. A bad
resume reflects poorly on the candidate. Everyone has something to offer if he/she
will analyze his/her abilities, talents, interests, and activities and stress his/her strong
points. First impressions count.

• Content and layout of the resume can vary widely. However, keep the resume
simple and to no more than one page. It has to be read quickly by the judges.

• Your resume must be typed. Use a good quality paper.

• Format your resume with clear headings and a font that is easy to read.

• Selectively apply bold and italic typeface to help guide the judge’s eye.

• Use bullets to call attention to important points. For example:

• Recognition of honors • Special interests or hobbies you have

• Accomplishments • Leadership positions you hold or
• Extracurricular activities in which have held
you’ve been engaged in and outside • Work experience(s)
of high school • Personal goals

• Be specific–if you are interested in sports, specify the particular sport.

• Be brief–the judges only have a few seconds to review your resume. They will be
looking for information that jumps out to them.

• Prepare your resume to be clear, concise, interesting and honest. (Do not feel
pressured to include all categories shown in the sample resumes in Exhibit A
and B.)

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

• Information listed at the top and bottom of your resume tend to generate more
questions than information in the middle.

• It is advised not to include your address on your resume for the interview event.
This eliminates any bias by the judges, your state/country affiliation should remain
anonymous.

• Study and know your resume! You should be able to openly converse about
everything on your resume. (Include things that will be of interest to the judges–only
include things you are comfortable sharing with others.)

• Bring a copy of your resume for each of the judges. (Usually 3 copies)

• Remember to bring your resume. If you forget, do not ask the judges to wait while
you go to print a copy. Simply proceed with the interview as if you intended not to
provide a copy.

• See Exhibit A and B for two sample resumes. Each differ in style, yet seek to highlight
strong points in a straightforward fashion.

• Construct your resume in the style and type that best suits your interests and
emphasizes your strengths.

Appearance and Non-Verbal Communication

• Formal attire is preferred for the interview event.

• Appear as confident, comfortable and poised as you can during your interview.

• Avoid using distracting mannerisms such as pacing, swaying or rocking.

• Sit up straight and be attentive but be careful not to appear too stiff.

• Make eye contact with each of the judges throughout your interview. This is especially
important when a is question is being asked of you.

• Generally, eye contact with an individual should last 3-5 seconds. Please do not stare.

• Your body movements should be graceful, purposeful and used to enhance

attentiveness to your responses.

• Evaluate your posture–good posture during your interview will help you breathe
properly and project your voice effectively.

• Gestures can be used to dramatize your ideas and lend emphasis to spoken words.

• Do not fidget in your chair, cross your legs, tap your fingers or feet, or wring your
hands.

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

Practice, practice, practice

• Practice answering the list of potential interview questions provided at the end of
this guide. Do not completely memorize your answers, your responses should be
thoughtful and natural.

• Practice your interview with a panel of mock judges. Your panel of judges could
include your teammates, teachers, parents, or local members of your community.

• Ask your panel of judges for feedback and advice. Use this as an opportunity to learn
and improve your interviewing skills.

• Take a video recording of yourself during a mock interview. When you watch the video
consider the following questions to assess your body language and evaluate the
answers to your questions.

• How is your posture and eye contact?

• Are you rocking, swaying or fidgeting?
• Are your answers too long or too short?
• Do you sound confident?
• Did your responses fully answer the question that was asked?

• It can be beneficial to write the sample interview questions on flashcards. By shuffling

the flashcards, you will become comfortable answering questions in any order

YOUR INTERVIEW
Entering
• Enter the interview room with enthusiasm and energy.

• Greet the judges with a handshake and a smile when you enter the room.

• Make eye contact with the judges when you introduce yourself.

Responding
• Always take the time to fully listen to the question being asked of you and ensure you
do your best to directly answer the question.

• Make eye contact with the questioner.

• It can be helpful to repeat the question that was asked of you.

• If you do not understand the questions being asked of you, simply ask the judges to
clarify the question.

• Use a wide range of words and phrases. Be careful not to use words that you cannot
properly pronounce.
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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

• Your response should be specific to the question, thoughtful and enhanced with facts
and examples.

• Do not use slang or common phrases such as, “like”, “really”, “you know” also, avoid
using filler words such as “uh”, “um”, and “ah”.

• Do not use informal contractions, for example, “gonna” is a short form of “going to”
“kinda” is a short form of “kind of” and “cuz” is a short from of “because”.

• Speak at an appropriate pace–if you speak too quickly the judges will struggle to
understand you.

• Use an appropriate volume–the judges should be able to clearly hear you, but you do
not want to shout at them.

• Good posture will help to give the impression of confidence. This will also help to
keep your airways open, so you can take deeper breaths and pronounce your words
clearly.

Rules to Remember:

• The interview lasts 7 minutes.

• Strive to be enthusiastic, confident, and an effective communicator from start to
finish.
• Leave the judges with a positive impression of your abilities, opinions, and
interests.
• Take a deep breath, smile and have fun!

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

Detailed Analysis of the Interview Rubric

THE INTERVIEW RUBRIC
• As with each of the three subjective events, it is important to study the interview rubric
in detail. (See Exhibit C for the USAD® Interview Evaluation Form)

• Judges score the student interview based on a standardized rubric provided by

USAD®. The interview accounts for 1000 of the possible 10,000 points a competitor
can earn at competition.

• The interview is scored according to the following ten indicators, each of which is
worth 100 points. The criteria for the interview will include:

Interview (1000 points)

• Voice • Listening Skills

• Language Usage • Answering Skills
• Interpersonal Skills • Responses
• Non-Verbal Language • Overall Effectiveness
• Manner • Appearance

• Thinking about each of the ten categories and evaluating the interview according to
the specific criteria below, will dramatically improve your interview score.

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE INTERVIEW RUBRIC

Voice
• Voice deals with the auditory qualities of the interview.

• This involves a student’s ability to vary the speed and volume of his or her
responses in a way that is consistent with the overall presentation of ideas.

• Precise articulation of ideas and enthusiasm in responding to the interviewer’s

questions are keys to ensuring effective voice.

Language Usage
• Language usage assesses the efficacy of the student’s word choice and its
appropriateness for the given audience.

• This category also evaluates the correctness of grammar and syntax.

• Maybe most important of all, correctness includes appropriate pronunciation and

enunciation.

• Judges should be able to hear and clearly understand each word of the response.
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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

This means that each response must be delivered with the requisite speed and
intonation appropriate for responding to the interviewer’s question.

Interpersonal Skills
• Interpersonal skills measures an interviewee’s ability to relate on a personal level to
the interviewer.

• It is important for each student to develop a rapport with the questioner that
facilitates the exchange of ideas.

• A student should be totally engaged in the interview process and demonstrate

either his or her connection to the speaker and/or his or her enthusiasm for the
verbal interplay.

Speech Value
• Non-verbal language measures the student’s posture and demeanor, as well as his
or her movements and gestures during the interview.

• Gestures and movements must be consistent with and appropriate to the exchange
of ideas.

Manner
• Manner assesses the student’s comfort level and assurance in the interviewing
process.

• This certainly demands thoughtful and direct responses. The degree to which the
student’s answers demonstrate composure and confidence will impact how he or
she will score on this criterion.

Listening Skills
• Listening skills measures not only a student’s attentiveness to the interviewer’s
questions, but also his or her ability to assess and to respond to “the question
behind the question.”

• The best interviewee not only hears the question, but also observes the intent and
purpose of the question by being in tune with the interviewer’s intent.

Answering Skills
• Answering skills assesses a student’s directness and completeness in responding
to a given question.

• Answers must be clear and complete, without being wordy or self-indulgent. The
interviewee must also have a keen sense of appropriateness and decorum in

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

responding to an adult interviewer.

• Also included is the appropriateness of the responses for the given audience.

• Highly charged language, politically incorrect language, and profanity are always
inappropriate.

Responses
• Responses measure the quality of the content of the answer. The best responses
are thoughtful, genuine, informative, and insightful.

Overall Effectiveness
• Overall effectiveness measures the overall quality of an interview. This includes the
degree to which a student is able to interest and engage the audience in his or her
presentation of ideas.

• Each student must have an idea of how to best communicate with the listeners and
understand what he or she wants to accomplish in the interview.

• This category measures the degree to which the student’s vision is communicated
and the purpose is achieved.
• Effectiveness is an overall measure of the judges’ interest in and appreciation of the
student’s responses.

Appearance
• Appearance measures the dress and demeanor of the student in the context of a
business or professional interview.

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

Potential Interview Questions

POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Selecting a college or university
• How are you selecting a college or university to attend?
• What factors are you considering in selecting a college?
• Which universities are you currently considering and why?

Selecting a field of study in college or identifying a career employment goal

• What field(s) are you interested in?
• How did you become interested in that field?
• What are your ultimate goals?
• How would you define success?

Individual preparation for Decathlon

• How did you first become interested in Decathlon?
• What event(s) do you like the most in Decathlon?
• What event do you find the most difficult?
• How do you prepare for Decathlon?
• Describe a new relationship or friendship that has resulted with your participation in
Academic Decathlon?

Activities
• Which activity has been the most meaningful to you?
• How did you become interested in ____________?
• What would you do if you had more spare time?
• What high school, volunteer or work activity have enriched your life or prepared you
the most for the future?

Values
• Which qualities (features/characteristics/traits) do you think are important for a
person to possess?
• What are your most admirable qualities?
• Which characteristics of yourself would you like to change?
• What qualities do you look for in a friend?

Influential person
• Who has been the most influential person in your life?
• If you could be anyone in the world, who would that be and why?

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide
• Whom would you like to interview? Why?

Other
• What question would you have liked for us to ask you?
• What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself in the past year?
• Describe how you manage stress?
• What would you like for us to know about you?

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 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide

EXHIBIT A: SAMPLE RESUME 1

UNITED STATES ACADEMIC DECATHLON®

SAMPLE RESUME

John W. Woodson
Phone: 987.654.3210

OBJECTIVE
My objective is to serve as an intern in the office of the Lieutenant Governor of the state.

EDUCATION
Currently a junior with a 3.97 GPA, studying for a college preparatory seal.

AWARDS
Algebra I – Honor Student Chemistry – Honor Student
Geometry – Highest Average Physics – Honor Student
Algebra II – Highest Average Latin I – Silver Medal on National Latin Exam
Trigonometry – Highest Average Latin II – Magna Cum Laude on the National
Physical Science – Honor Student Latin Exam
Biology – Highest Average Academic Letter

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Athletics: Football, Baseball, Basketball
Computer Hobbyist
Drama: Cast in four school plays – “Doll’s House,” “Titanic,” and “Fame”
Cast in community theater – “It’s a Wonderful Life”

WORK EXPERIENCE
National Institute of Physician Recruitment and Retention 2005-2006
Part Time - Management Information Systems

Target Discount Store 2006-Present

Part time – Stocking and clerical

REFERENCES
Available upon request

14
 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide
EXHIBIT B: SAMPLE RESUME 2

UNITED STATES ACADEMIC DECATHLON®

SAMPLE RESUME

Jana Smith
Phone: 444.444.3333
EDUCATION
High School 2003–Present
Community College 2005–Present

Awards and Honors

Beta Club 9, 10, 11, 12
National Honor Society 11, 12
Academic Letter 10, 11
Governor’s Honors Program Nominee 10, 11
Dean’s List – Community College 12
Who’s Who in American High School Students 11, 12
Varsity Letter – Mock Trial 12
Varsity Letter – Cross Country 12

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Exceptional academic achievement: 3.9 GPA in High School
4.0 in Community College

Proven leadership ability: Beta Club officer

Junior and Senior Class Secretary
Member of Youth Council
County 4-H president
4-H District officer
Student County member

High involvement in extracurricular programs:

Mock Trial Scholars Bowl
Cross Country Student Council
4-H Key Club
Junior Classical League

Expertise in law and government: Page in state senate

Volunteer in local political campaigns
Mock Trial team member for 3 years

Experience in serving the community:

4-H member for 5 years
Peer Tutor
Community service chair of Student Council
Key Club project chair

15
 USAD 2014–2015 Interview Resource Guide
EXHIBIT C: USAD® INTERVIEW EVALUATION FORM

16
 Medals
Revised 8/1/2015

Region Meets
A. Participation Certificate (if used): Packets with certificates for team members and
coaches will be given to coaches for distribution. No special recognition of certificates
will occur during the awards ceremony.

B. Individual Event Medals (for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, respectively in Varsity, Scholastic, and
Honor divisions)
Essay Economics
Interview Social Science
Speech Science
Math Language/Literature
Music Art

C. Highest Varsity, Scholastic and Honor student on each team (all receive gold medals)
(May be done at seats or groups come to the stage without names being called.)

D. Super Quiz Team (based on all nine competitors)

1st place (Team medals and plaque)
2nd place (Team medals and plaque)
3rd place (Team medals and plaque)

E. Individual Overall (based on 10 events; Super Quiz score NOT included)

1st place gold medal
2nd place silver medal
3rd place bronze medal
4th place bronze medal with blue ribbon
5th place bronze medal with red ribbon

F. Team Overall (based on Top 2 Varsity, top 2 Scholastic, and top 2 Honor scores from
Individual Events – do NOT include Super Quiz.)
1st place Team medals and plaque
nd
2 place Team medals and plaque
3rd place Team medals and plaque

MEDALS-1
 Medals/Scholarships at State Meets
A. Participation Medal: Purple ribbon with bronze medal for all students at state
competition is placed around students’ necks at their seats.

B. Individual Event Medals (for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, respectively in Varsity, Scholastic, and
Honor divisions)
Essay Economics
Interview Social Science
Speech Science
Math Language/Literature
Music Art

C. Highest Varsity, Scholastic, and Honor student on each team (all receive gold medals)
(May be done at seats or each of the three groups come to the stage without names being
called.)

D. Super Quiz Team (based on all nine competitors)

1st place (Team medals and plaque)
2nd place (Team medals and plaque)
3rd place (Team medals and plaque)

E. Individual Overall (based on 10 events; Super Quiz score NOT included) (scholarships
as well as medals awarded at STATE only)
1st place gold medal
nd
2 place silver medal
3rd place bronze medal
th
4 place bronze medal with blue ribbon
5th place bronze medal with red ribbon

F. Team Overall (based on top 2 Varsity, top 2 Scholastic, and top 2 Honor scores.) Medals
to top 3 places; scholarships awarded to top 3 teams at STATE only)
1st place Team medals and plaque
2nd place Team medals and plaque
rd
3 place Team medals and plaque

MEDALS-2
 Actual medals awarded at a recent large school state meet

Category Gold Silver Bronze 4th 5th State

Partic.

** Mathematics 10 19 21
Economics 4 4 8
Art 5 7 13
Music 4 8 7
Language/Literature 3 6 10
Individual SQ 4 4 3
Science 3 7 5
Essay 4 4 3
Interview 4 4 5
Speech 3 3 3
*** Top V, S, H per team 120
**** Individual Overall 3 3 3 3 3
***** Super Quiz Team 11 11 22*
****** Team Overall 11 11 11
******* Participation Medal (State) 440
TOTAL 189 91 114 3 3 440

* Eleven comes from 9 students plus 2 coaches. Note that a tie occurred and is very
possible for this event.
** Depending on difficulty of test, it happens often that we have more ties in Math
than in other academic areas.
*** Multiply 3 (V, S, H) times the number of teams. Give gold medal.
**** It is very rare for there to be a tie based on total scores.
***** Likely to have ties since scores (since there is no longer any written section)
****** Ties are not likely to occur.
******* For students at state only.

MEDALS-3
 ORDER FORM FOR REGION/STATE MEDALS
MAIL TO: Monarch Trophy
ATTN: Charlie Drago
[email protected]

DEADLINE: November 15

SEND MEDALS TO: ___________________________________ Coordinator

Region Number __________

Address: ____________________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________

Phone: ________________________

# Place Medal and Ribbon Color

st
1 place Gold Medals w/red, white, blue ribbon
2nd place Silver Medals w/red, white, blue ribbon
3rd place Bronze Medals w/red, white, blue ribbon
4th place Bronze Medals w/blue ribbon
5th place Bronze Medals w/red ribbon
Participation Medal Gold Medals w/purple ribbon (for each student)
(at State ONLY)

MEDALS-4
 Name Identification Badges for Students
1. Each student will have an ID badge to be worn to all decathlon functions. It will be
prepared by the meet coordinator and given to the students upon arrival. The four-digit
ID number will appear on test booklets, answer sheets, testing room desks, and other
places as needed. If using the updated USAD scoring software, this number may be four
or five digits.

2. We recommend the use of the badges that have a cord that goes around the neck instead
of those that pin or stick on.

3. The first two (or three) digits of the ID are the school number that was drawn in advance
of the meet. The last two digits represent the division of competition for that student. If,
for example, Jefferson High’s school number is 13, the nine team member’s ID numbers
will be:

Honor 1: 1301 Scholastic 4: 1304 Varsity 7: 1307

Honor 2: 1302 Scholastic 5: 1305 Varsity 8: 1308
Honor 3: 1303 Scholastic 6: 1306 Varsity 9: 1309

4. Also on the badge you may find another number that will be the student’s testing room
for all seven academic tests and the writing of the essay. The badge might look like this

TEXAS ACADEMIC DECATHLON

John Doe

1305-127

5. Names and the four-digit ID can be programmed into a computer file so that name labels
can be printed for numerous documents needed for the competition.
6. USAD scoring software will also produce name badges based on information contained
within the software.

NAME ID-1
 Proctors/Runners/Test Distribution
Revised 8/1/2015

Instructions for Proctors

1. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate dress. Synchronize your watch with the official
time of the meet.

2. At most meets, instructions will be given via the school public address system. You will
have the exact script, music CD, and CD player in the event that the system does not
work properly; in which case you will follow the script to the letter.

3. A seating chart will be given to you. Hopefully, each desk will have a 3x5 card taped to
it indicating the student name and ID number. All tests, essay prompt sheets, and
Scantron answer sheets will also have the above identification on them. A supply of pens
for the essay and pencils for the Scantrons will be located in your room.

4. Students must remain in the room while testing is going on. Students who finish early
must keep still and not bother those who are still working. Use your judgment about
allowing students to go to the bathroom. If a student must go, allow him/her to go, but
let your group know this is the exception rather than the rule. Once a student leaves the
room during a test, he/she may not re-enter until the completion of that test. Under no
circumstances may a student enter a testing room if the test instructions have been
completed and test timing has started.

5. You are the authority figure in your test room. It is vital that students follow all
instructions given aloud by you and that you fully understand the extent of your
responsibilities. In order for the program to be successful, you must follow the
instructions and the time schedule exactly.

6. It is necessary for you to keep an eye open for anything other than good test-taking
behavior. If concerned about a student’s conduct, discreetly alert the student by asking
him/her to protect the test paper, relocate the student in the room, or give a general word
of warning to the group. In the event a student is guilty of a severe infraction, take the
test booklet and answer sheet from the student as quietly as possible. Have your runner
inform the Competition Day Chairperson of the infraction. (If a student reports an
infraction to you, please be sure you see the infraction is actually taking place and then
take action if necessary.)

7. You have been given extra tests. If you discover a test with a page missing or some other
error so that you have to substitute one of the extra tests, be sure to write the student's ID
number on the substitute booklet. When you fill out the Test Scoring Cover Sheet,
explain why the substitution was made.

PTRD-1
8. Please do not leave the classroom once your students have arrived. At the break or lunch
period, do not leave until the runner has picked up all tests. Return to your assigned test
room 10-15 minutes prior to the end of the lunch period so the tests can be monitored
when they are delivered. While students are testing, walk up and down the aisles to be
sure students are using the answer sheet marked for that subject.

9. Before every test, the instructions will direct the student to read and sign the
honesty/integrity statement.

Instructions for Proctors the Day of the Test

1. Arrive at your essay test room at least thirty minutes before the scheduled start of the test.

2. Check to see that desks are numbered according to the test room seating chart or that each
desk has a 3x5 card taped to it with student name and ID number.

3. A runner will bring the “Essay Prompts” and “Blue Books” to your room.

4. Place a pen, Blue Book (or writing paper), and copy of “Essay Prompts-Instructions to
Students” face down on each desk. Be sure the ID numbers on the Blue Book and test
sheet match the number on the desk. As students begin to enter the room, instruct them
to find the desk that matches their ID number and be seated. Tell them not to look at the
essay materials until they are told to do so.

5. Students have fifty minutes to complete the essay and will be told when only five minutes
remain. The essay must be written in the Blue Book. They may use the pen provided,
their own pen, or their own pencil (even in the prompt says pen only).

6. Begin essay instructions on time. (The site coordinator should have verified any missing
teams 10-15 minutes before testing time and should have attempted to reach the coach by
cell phone.) The site coordinator may make a decision to allow a late team to have full
time for the essay if the lateness reason is justified (example: van accident), but the
testing will take place in a location separate from the regular testing rooms. The present
testing rooms will not be interrupted by late arrivals. For unjustified reasons, the late
teams will be given only the time remaining and it will be in a separate room.

7. The following directions/script is a model; it may be modified by the meet coordinator so

long as each test session length remains as described. The directions will be read to
students over the public address system but may be read in each room if facilities prevent
the use of the public address system. Regardless, all proctors need to review them and be
prepared to read them in the event there is a failure in the system. Refer to the master
Schedule developed by the Meet Coordinator to verify beginning and ending times for all
test sessions.

PTRD-2
Electronic devices capable of two-way communications are not allowed in testing
rooms. Watches are allowed only if they are silent. No alarms or beepers of any
kind are allowed in a testing room. Unacceptable items will cause the student’s
paper to be picked up and the student receives a zero for that test. The only
electronic devices allowed are calculators on math tests and silent timing devices on
all tests.

If you have any timing device that could cause you to receive a zero, give it to a
proctor with your name and school, and we will deliver it to your coach.

Now, all materials except your “Essay Prompts-Instructions to Students” sheet, Blue
Book, and pen should be cleared from your desk. Do not turn over the “Essay
Prompts” sheet until I instruct you to do so. Please listen carefully to the
instructions as I will be giving them only once. How well you do in today’s
competition depends partly on how well you listen and follow instructions.

You will have fifty minutes to complete the essay. If you finish early, read your
essay, and then close your Blue Book. Place your “Essay Prompts” sheet on top of it
and sit quietly until time is called.

If it becomes necessary for you to leave the testing room for any reason, you must
complete the test in progress before leaving. All test materials must be given to the
proctor before leaving the room. The rule is no one leaves the room until break
time. If you feel you MUST leave the room, raise your hand and the proctor will
come to your desk to hear your request.

If you have a question about procedure, please raise your hand. You may mark on
the “Essay Prompt-Instructions to Students” sheet.

You may now turn over your “Essay Prompt-Instruction to Students” sheet. Make
sure the number on the Blue Book and the instruction sheet matches your ID
number. All tests will be scored by ID number. I will now review the instructions
for the essay with you.

You have been given three prompts and will select one as the topic for your essay.
Write the number of your prompt on the top of your Blue Book. It is not necessary
to include the quotation or language from the prompt in the body of your essay.

Explain the meaning of the prompt and support your position in several well-
developed paragraphs with specific examples from your experiences and/or your
reading. Provide a final paragraph that offers a logical conclusion to your essay. Be
sure to include adequate transitions between your ideas and to follow the accepted
rules of Standard English sentence structure, usage, spelling and punctuation.
Maintain legible handwriting. Allow yourself time for proofreading and correcting
your essay. Avoid messy cross outs.

PTRD-3
 You will be graded on your ability to:

1. Organize ideas in logical patterns appropriate to the purpose of the

assignment.
2. Present these ideas using effective vocabulary and written structures
appropriate to formal standards of written communication in English.
3. Use mechanical skills of Standard English (punctuation, grammar and
spelling) that facilitate communication and are acceptable in formal writing.
4. Essays which are deemed to be “Off-Prompt” will not receive a separate
“mechanics” score.

You will have 50 minutes for this contest. You will get a five-minute warning after
45 minutes have elapsed. Allow yourself time for proofreading and correcting your
essay. Do you have any questions about the instructions for the essay? You may
begin.

8. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 50 minutes for the test. Announcement
will warn the student when they have five minutes left to finish the test.
9. Your packet includes extra Blue Books in the event students need extra space for their
essays. If a student requests a second Blue Book, write his/her ID number on the second
book. Label this book “2 of 2.” Label the first book “1 of 2.” Should you need
additional Blue Books, seek the assistance of a hallway monitor.
10. Announcement will stop the test after 50 minutes have elapsed. Do not allow students to
continue writing after time is called.
11. Instruct students to place Blue Books and “Essay Prompt” sheets in the upper right hand
corner of the desk.
12. Collect the Blue Books in numerical order (lowest to highest) and verify you have
received one for each student. Also collect the “Essay Prompt” sheets and the pens
provided.
13. Fill in a Test Scoring Cover Sheet for the essay test and sign it. Put the cover sheet, Blue
Books, and “Essay Prompt” sheets in the essay envelope.
14. A runner will pick up essay materials soon after essays are finished.

Language and Literature

1. Begin the Language/Literature test promptly. Say to the students:

Now look at the Language and Literature materials on your desks. Check to make
sure your ID number is on the booklet and the Scantron sheet. Check to make sure
the Scantron sheet is marked “Language/Literature.” Turn your test booklet over
and write your name and ID number verifying you have read and agree to the
paragraph on honesty and integrity.

You will have 30 minutes to do this test. You may begin.

PTRD-4
 2. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 30 minutes for the test.

3. Tell students when they have 5 minutes left.

4. At the end of the 30 minutes, tell students to stop and put their pencils down. Do not
allow anyone to continue working after time is called.

5. Ask students to place their Language/Literature booklet on the corner of their desk
with the Language/Literature Scantron sheet on top of it.

6. Inform students they are to proceed to their team room or the assigned speech or
interview holding room – as directed by their coach.

Mathematics (Saturday morning)

1. Proctors arrive at test rooms by 8:05 to familiarize themselves with the arrangement of
the room and verify that the seating arrangement is accurate. Runners will deliver tests at
8:10 a.m.

2. Check the desks to make sure they are numbered according to the test room seating chart.
Place the Music Test and the Music answer sheet under each student’s desk. On top of
the desk, place the Mathematics test and the Mathematics answer sheet (you may also
wait until all students have been seated to distribute test materials). Students may use the
front and back sides of the test for calculation purposes.

3. As students enter the room, instruct them to find the desks that matches their ID numbers
and be seated. Tell them not to look at the Mathematics test until they are told to do so.
Begin the test instructions at 8:30 a.m. and start the test at 8:45 a.m.

Before beginning the Mathematics test, read the following instructions to your students:
(Bold text is script to be read to student by test proctors)

Electronic devices capable of two-way communications are not allowed in testing

rooms. Watches are allowed only if they are silent. No alarms or beepers of any
kind are allowed in a testing room. Unacceptable items will cause the student’s
paper to be picked up and the student receives a zero for that test. The only
electronic devices allowed are calculators on math tests and silent timing devices on
all tests.

If you have any timing device that could cause you to receive a zero, give it now to a
proctor with your name and school and we will deliver it to your coach.

The next six tests you will take are multiple choice tests. You will record your
answers on the Scantron answer sheets provided. Before beginning each test, make
sure you have the answer sheet with your ID number on it and that it has the right
test name on it (for example, Mathematics for the Mathematics test).

PTRD-5
 Please do not fold, bend or mutilate the Scantron sheet in any way or make any
stray marks on it. It is your responsibility to ensure your marks are neat and dark
and fill the space completely. If you make a mistake, make certain your erasures
are clean and complete. Check periodically to make certain you are working on the
right number of your Scantron sheet.

Do you have any questions about the Scantron sheets or procedures for these tests?

Now, look at the Mathematics materials on your desk. Check to make sure your ID
number is on the booklet and the Scantron sheet. Check to make sure the Scantron
sheet is marked “Mathematics.”

Turn your test booklet over and write your name, verifying you have read and agree
to the paragraph on honesty and integrity. (Pause 20 seconds before continuing to
read.)

You may use the front and back sides of the test for calculation purposes.
You will have 30 minutes to do this test. We will announce when 5 minutes remain.
You may begin.

4. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 30 minutes for the tests. Tell students
when they have 5 minutes left.
5. At the end of 30 minutes, tell students to stop and put their pencils down. Do not allow
anyone to continue working after time is called. Ask students to place their Mathematics
booklet on the corner of their desk with the Mathematics answer sheet on top of it.

Music
1. Begin the music test promptly. Say to the students:
As you are taking the Music test, the proctor will come by your desk and pick up the
Mathematics tests and Mathematics Scantrons in sequential order AFTER the
“musical” selections have finished.

Now, get your Music materials out from under your desk. Check to make sure your
ID number is on the booklet and the Scantron sheet. Check to make sure the
Scantron sheet is marked “Music.” Turn your test over and write your name and
ID number verifying you have read and agree to the paragraph on honesty and
integrity.

For the “Listening Item” questions you will hear a music excerpt. Listen to the
excerpt and then answer the questions. The remainder of the questions are about
non-listening items.

You will have 30 minutes to do this test. Time will begin following the instructions
on the CD.

PTRD-6
 2. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 30 minutes for the test.

3. After the music stops, walk around the desks and pick up the Mathematics tests and
Mathematics Scantron sheets in sequential order. Verify all tests and answer sheets have
been picked up.

4. Fill in a Test Scoring Cover Sheet for the Mathematics test, sign the sheet, fold it in half
and place the Scantron sheets in the fold. Do not paper clip or rubber band the packet.

5. Put answer sheets in the Mathematics envelope. Scantrons and test booklets will be
collected by the runners.

6. Tell students when they have 5 minutes left.

7. At the end of the 30 minutes, tell the students to stop and put their pencils down. Do
not allow anyone to continue working after time is called.

8. Ask students to place their Music booklet on the corner of their desk with the Music
Scantron sheet on top of it.

9. Collect the booklets and Scantron sheets in sequential order. Verify you have received
all booklets and Scantron sheets.

10. Fill in a Test Scoring Cover Sheet for the Music test, sign the sheet, fold it in half, and
place the Scantron sheets in the fold. Do not paper clip of rubber band the packet.

11. Place the tests and Scantron sheets in the Music envelope to be collected by the runners
to the appropriate rooms.

12. Dismiss students for a 15-minute break. Tell them the exact time they must return.

Break/Economics
1. While the students are on break, place the Science test and the Science Scantron sheet
under each student’s desk. On top of the desk, place the Economics test and the
Economics Scantron sheet.

2. When students return from break, tell them not to look at any of the test materials until
they are told to do so. Remind them to check their desk number to ensure they are sitting
in the desk with their ID number.

3. Begin the Economics test instructions promptly at 10:20 a.m. Say to the students:

Electronic devices capable of two-way communications are not allowed in testing

rooms. Watches are allowed only if they are silent. No alarms or beepers of any
kind are allowed in a testing room. Unacceptable items will cause the student’s

PTRD-7
 paper to be picked up and the student receives a zero for that test. The only
electronic devices allowed are silent timing devices on all tests.

If you have any timing device that could cause you to receive a zero, give it now to a
proctor with your name and school, and we will deliver it to your coach.

Now, look at the Economics materials on your desks. Check to make sure your ID
number is on the booklet and the Scantron sheet. Check to make sure the Scantron
sheet is marked “Economics.” Turn your test booklet over and write your name
and ID number verifying you have read and agree to the paragraph on honesty and
integrity.

You will have 30 minutes to do this test. You may begin.

4. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 30 minutes for the tests.

5. Tell the students when they have 5 minutes left.

6. At the end of the 30 minutes tell students to stop and put their pencils down. Do not
allow anyone to continue working after time is called.

7. Ask students to place their Economics booklet on the corner of their desk with the
Economics Scantron sheet on top of it.

Science
1. Begin the Science test promptly. Say to the students:

Get your Science materials from under your desk. Check to make sure your ID
number is on the booklet and the Scantron sheet. Check to make sure the Scantron
sheet is marked, Science. Turn your test booklet over and write your name and ID
number verifying you have read and agree to the paragraph on honesty and
integrity.

You will have 30 minutes to do this test. You may begin.

2. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 30 minutes for the test.

3. After the test has begun, walk around the desks and pick up the Economics tests and
Economics Scantron sheets in sequential order. Verify all tests and Scantron sheets have
been picked up.

4. Tell the students when they have 5 minutes left.

5. Fill in a Test Scoring Cover Sheet for the Economics test, sign the sheet, fold it in half,
and place the Scantron sheets in the fold. Do not paper clip or rubber band the packet.

PTRD-8
6. Put the Economics test Scantron sheets in the Economics envelope. Runners will collect
the Economics tests and Scantron sheets.

7. At the end of the 30 minutes, tell students to stop and put their pencils down. Do not
allow anyone to continue working after time is called.

8. Ask students to place their Science booklet on the corner of their desk with the
Science Scantron sheet on top of it.

9. Collect the booklets and Scantron sheets in sequential order. Verify all tests and
Scantron sheets have been picked up.

10. Fill in a Test Scoring Cover Sheet for the Science test, sign the sheet, fold it in half and
place the Scantron sheets in the fold. Do not paper clip or rubber band the packet.

11. A runner will arrive to collect the Science materials.

12. Tell the students that the Art test instructions will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m.
Dismiss students for lunch.

Lunch Break
1. Please return to your room at least 10 minutes early. Runners will arrive to deliver the
Art and Social Science materials at approximately 12:50 p.m.

2. Before students return from lunch, first place the Social Science test and Social Science
Scantron sheet under each student’s desk. Next, place the Art test and the Art Scantron
sheet on top of each student’s desk.

3. When the students return from lunch, tell them not to look at any of the test materials
until they are told to do so. Remind students to check their desk number to ensure they
are sitting in the desk with their ID number.

Art
1. Begin the Art instructions at 12:30 pm.

Electronic devices capable of two-way communications are not allowed in testing

rooms. Watches are allowed only if they are silent. No alarms or beepers of any
kind are allowed in a testing room. Unacceptable items will cause the student’s
paper to be picked up and the student receives a zero for that test. The only
electronic devices allowed are silent timing devices on all tests.

PTRD-9
 If you have any timing device that could cause you to receive a zero, give it now to a
proctor with your name and school, and we will deliver it to your coach.

Now, look at the Art materials on your desks. Check to make sure your ID number
is on the booklet and the Scantron sheet. Check to make sure the Scantron sheet is
marked “Art.” Turn your test booklet over and write your name and ID number,
verifying you have read and agree to the paragraph on honesty and integrity.

You will have 30 minutes to do this test. You may begin.

2. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 30 minutes for the test.

3. Tell students when they have 5 minutes left.

4. At the end of 30 minutes, tell the students to stop and put their pencils down. Do not
allow anyone to continue working after time is called.

5. Ask students to place their Art booklet of the corner of their desk with the Art
Scantron sheet on top of it.

Social Science
1. Begin the Social Science test promptly at 1:05. Say to the students:
Get your Social Science materials from under your desk. Check to make sure your
ID number is on the booklet and the Scantron sheet. Check to make sure the
Scantron sheet is marked “Social Science.” Turn your test booklet over and write
your name and ID number verifying you have read and agree to the paragraph on
honesty and integrity.
You will have 30 minutes to do this test. You may begin.

2. Write down the beginning time. Allow exactly 30 minutes for the test.

3. After the test has begun, walk around the desks and pick up the Art test and Art Scantron
sheets in sequential order. Verify all tests and Scantron sheets have been picked up.

4. Fill in a Test Scoring Cover Sheet for the Art test, sign the sheet, fold it in half, and place
the Scantron sheets in the fold. Do not paper clip of rubber band the packet.

5. Put the Art test Scantron sheets in the Art envelope. Runners will collect the Art tests
and Scantron sheets.

6. Tell the students when they have 5 minutes left.

7. At the end of the 30 minutes, tell students to stop and put their pencils down. Do not
allow anyone to continue working after time is called.
PTRD-10
8. Ask students to place their Social Science booklet on the corner of their desk with
the Social Science Scantron sheet on top of it.

9. Collect pencils from all students.

10. Pick up all Scantron sheets and put them in sequential order. Verify all tests and answer
sheets have been picked up.

11. Fill in a Test Scoring Cover Sheet for the Social Science test, sign the sheet, fold it in
half, and place the Scantron sheets in the fold. Do not paper clip or rubber band the
packet.

12. Place all tests and answer sheets in the Social Science envelope to be delivered by the
runners.

13. Dismiss students to the team rooms to prepare for Super Quiz Relay.

14. Remove numbers from desks. Take remaining materials to the Test Distribution Center.

15. Thank you for your help

PTRD-11
Saturday Schedule for Runners
Name of Runner ___________________________________ Testing Room ________________

A runner will be assigned to each testing room and will be responsible for delivering test
booklets and Scantrons from the Test Distribution Center (TDC) to the room as well as returning
test booklets to the Test Distribution Center and the Scantrons to the Test Scoring Center (TSC).
While not in the process of delivering, the runner will serve as another monitor in the room. The
time schedule for pick-up and delivery of test materials is as follows:

8:10 Deliver Mathematics and Music materials

9:20 Return Math materials to two locations (TDC & TSC, respectively)
9:50 Deliver Economics and Science materials (collect Music materials)
9:55 Return Music materials (TDC & TSC, respectively)

11:00 Return Economics materials (TDC & TSC, respectively)

11:35 Return Science materials (TDC & TSC, respectively)
12:20 Deliver Art and Social Science materials
1:10 Return Art materials (TDC & TSC, respectively)
1:45 Return Social Science materials (TDC & TSC, respectively)

Scantrons from each room should be returned in numerical order from lowest to highest; i.e.,
1101,1201,1301, etc.).

Distribution Committee
1. In advance of testing days, receive tests from printer and put labels (student name, ID,
test topic) on each test and Scantron. Examine each test to be sure all pages are there.

2. Sort tests and Scantrons by testing rooms and according to the four testing sessions: (1)
Languate/Literature, (2) Math and Music, (3) Economics and Science, and (4) Art and
Social Science.

3. Provide tests and Scantrons for runners at designated times. Receive tests after taken and
place in numerical order in the event that it becomes necessary to secure a specific test to
examine later.

4. At the end of the day Saturday, box all tests in identified order and give to meet
coordinator to keep until all final results are accepted and we know there will be no
appeals.

PTRD-12
 Test Scoring Cover Sheet
Name of Test _______________________________

Room Number _______________________________

Date _______________________________

Time _______________________________

Verification of Student ID Numbers on Answer Sheets by Proctor _____________

Initials

Is there a test and an answer sheet for every student tested? ___________________
(If necessary, explain below.)

Comments/Notes

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Proctor’s Name ________________________________

Proctor’s Name Printed __________________________

PTRD-13
 Test Room Seating Chart
This is an example of a test room seating plan for 30 teams

30 25 20 15 10 5

29 24 19 14 9 4

28 23 18 13 8 3

27 22 17 12 7 2

26 21 16 11 6 1

Front of Room

A Test Room must be limited to 30 students.

(Unless you are Arena Testing –
testing all students in one room)

If space permits, leave an empty row or minimum

of three to four feet between student desks.

PTRD-14
 Team Test Room Assignment Chart

SCHOOL ____________________________ COACHES __________________________

DISTRICT ___________________________ __________________________

Student Name Test Room Speech Room Interview Room

Varsity:

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

Scholastic:

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

Honor:

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

__________________ ____________ ____________ _____________

PTRD-15
 Recruiting Team and Study Strategies
Revised 8/1/2015

Recruiting Strategies
Each high school needs to devise its own strategies for team selection and study format.
Various schools utilized the following procedures across the state in prior competition years.

TEAM SELECTION PROCESS - High School "A"

Teacher recommendations, TAAS and SAT scores, and grade-point averages were
reviewed by the academic coaches. After narrowing the field of potential participants to 25,
informal discussions and interviews with students were held.

A night orientation meeting for parents and students was held. All students and parents
were in attendance. The agenda included a showing of the videotape, an overview of the
national, state and Academic Decathlon program, and discussion of commitment necessary for
participation.

During the following week, three of the students decided they would not be able to
devote the appropriate amount of time to preparing for the Decathlon. (Reasons given:
employment and soccer.) Students identified earlier as potential participants replaced these
students.

TEAM SELECTION PROCESS - High School "B"

Public address system announcement was made regarding the Academic Decathlon. Two
orientation meetings were held with approximately 40 interested students. Each student was
requested to complete a self-report sheet which required such information as: 1) estimated grade
point average; 2) strengths and weaknesses in subject areas; 3) task commitment; 4) teacher
names for reference purposes. The academic coaches and the principal utilized the student self-
report information, TAAS and SAT scores, grade point averages, types of courses taken, and
teacher/counselor recommendation to make the team selection.

Letters of appreciation were sent to all students who had indicated an interest in
participating. The juniors were encouraged to consider applying for next year’s team. A night
meeting for parent/student orientation was held. A great deal of enthusiasm for the program was
expressed.

TEAM SELECTION PROCESS - High School "C"

Public address system announcements were made regarding the Academic Decathlon.
Orientation meetings were held. There was substantial self-elimination due to students’
commitments in other areas. Grade point averages were reviewed. Student interest was the
major criteria. Twenty-one students began the study process.

TEAM SELECTION PROCESS - High School "D"

Coaches sent out notices to all high school teachers, asking for names of students who
would be suitable meeting the criteria of commitment and the ability to follow through.
Teachers return the list. Counselors were also asked for recommendations. A master list was
compiled and if several teachers recommended a student’s name, he/she was a good candidate.
RECRUITING-1
Notices were sent to the students indicating they had been recommended for the Academic
Decathlon. A meeting with 100 students during lunch asked the major question, are you
interested? Interviews were set up and a core of dedicated, interested and capable students
drilled for the event.

Study Strategies

Study strategies will evolve from within the make-up of the students, coaches, resources
and facilities available. The following procedures were utilized by several high schools in recent
competition.

STUDY STRATEGIES - High School "A"

A study center is set up in the library. Resources are available for independent research.
Students and coaches meet four afternoons a week. Each weekend students do research, devise
test questions, and make outlines on assigned topics. Each student, in the afternoon session,
presents information to other students. The coaches compile the student-operated test items.
These practice tests are administered to the students. High school teachers meet with the students
during the afternoon sessions to provide lectures and materials on the specified subject area
topics. A sophomore Honor student has taken it upon himself to research and provide materials
on the Super Quiz topic.

STUDY STRATEGIES - High School "B"

Students have access to a study center in the library. Resources are available for
independent research. Students and coaches meet four mornings a week from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
There is concentration on one subject area per week. One section of each subject area outline is
assigned to each student. The students do independent research, devise ten test questions, and
prepare a lecture on the material. Each student presents the information to the other students.
The coaches compile the 90 questions into a test. The test is answered over the weekend and
then graded by the coaches. This feedback gives the students information as to additional study
needs.

High school teachers of specific subject areas meet with the students during the morning
sessions to provide lectures and materials. The students are preparing their speeches
independently. Speeches will be heard and critiqued. Practice interview sessions will be held.
Study sessions are planned for Saturday mornings and during breaks.

STUDY STRATEGIES - High School "C"

Team members meet in a class during the day and receive credit (often the class can be
named Decathlon, credited as an independent study course, or humanities course), perhaps even
locally weighted credit). Other meetings outside this class are scheduled as needed.

RECRUITING-2
STUDY STRATEGIES - High School "D"

There are four high schools in this district. Each school studies in one of the ways
mentioned above. Once every three or four weeks students from all four schools meet in the
evening and have a mini-competition meet, perhaps on four designated areas from the ten events.
Ribbons are awarded. Coaches prepare the test questions. Meets rotate from school to school.

RECRUITING-3
 SCHEDULE
Revised 8/1/2015
Suggested Times Region and State Meets*
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Friday **
On arrival (12 noon) Coaches- Register Teams School
1:00 – 1:30 General Assembly Auditorium
2:00 – 3:00 Essay Assigned Rooms
3:05 – 3:35 Test #1 – Language/Literature Assigned Rooms
2:00 – 3:00 Coaches’ meeting Library
4:00 – 8:00 Speeches/Interviews Assigned Rooms
Saturday
7:45 am - 8:15 am Proctor/Runner/Aide meeting
8:45 am – 9:45 am Coaches’ meeting Auditorium
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Super Quiz Proctor meeting
5:00 pm – 5:20 pm Coaches’ meeting
Test Schedule
8:30 am - 8:45 am Test Instructions
8:45 am - 9:15 am Test #2 – Mathematics
9:15 am - 9:20 am Test Instructions
9:20 am - 9:50 am Test #3 – Music
9:50 am - 10:20 am Break
10:20 am – 10:25 am Test Instructions
10:25 am – 10:55 am Test #4 – Economics
10:55 am - 11:00 am Test Instructions
11:00 am - 11:30 noon Test #5 – Science
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Lunch Cafeteria
12:30 pm - 12:35 pm Test Instructions
12:35 pm - 1:05 pm Test #6 – Art
1:05 pm - 1:10 pm Test Instructions
1:10 pm - 1:40 pm Test #7 – Social Science
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm Break
2:15 pm - Line Up Super Quiz
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm Super Quiz Relay Gymnasium
5:00 pm – 5:20 pm Coaches Meeting (review final scores; submit Acceptance of
Preliminary Scores
5:30 pm - Submit team scores to the State Office
6:00 pm Awards presentation at region meet
(Awards at state meets are presented on Sunday morning)

* If the host school elects not to have any school on Friday (competition day), the essay writing may be moved to the
morning and speech/interview moved earlier in the afternoon.
** Essay, speeches and interviews may come later if host school is not able to dismiss at an early time. (A 4 p.m.
essay time is good as this time is close to the dismissal time for many schools and is often the time that students
regain eligibility under no pass-no play rules.) Free meals may be provided for judges. Meals for teams may be
available Friday.

SCHEDULE-1
 Region Speech/Interview Schedule
Friday’s Sample Rotation Chart
All members of the team report to assigned rooms at the time indicated.

Speech / Interview Rotation for Region Meet

(for 20 teams; the region coordinator will revise using this pattern to
fit the number of teams at the respective region meets)

The region coordinator will establish team time slots. There will be a drawing of time slots at a time
designated by the region coordinator.

Contest for Speech Interview

4:00 School 1 School 6
4:10 School 2 School 7
4:20 School 3 School 8
4:30 School 4 School 9
4:40 School 5 School 10
4:50 BREAK - Team Room Hallways
5:00 School 6 School 1
5:10 School 7 School 2
5:20 School 8 School 3
5:30 School 9 School 4
5:40 School 10 School 5
5:50 BREAK - Team Room Hallways
6:20 School 11 School 16
6:30 School 12 School 17
6:40 School 13 School 18
6:50 School 14 School 19
7:00 School 15 School 20
7:10 BREAK - Team Room Hallways
7:20 School 16 School 11
7:30 School 17 School 12
7:40 School 18 School 13
7:50 School 19 School 14
8:00 School 20 School 15

SCHEDULE-2
 State Meet Speech/Interview Schedule
Friday Rotation Chart – Large School

NOTE: Starting time and lengths of breaks may be altered)

Group A Group B
Region State Speech Interview Region State Speech Interview
Rank Team # Time Time Rank Team # Time Time
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

40 1 3:30 4:30 35 21 3:30 4:30

39 2 3:40 4:40 34 22 3:40 4:40
38 3 3:50 4:50 33 23 3:50 4:50
37 4 4:00 5:00 32 24 4:00 5:00
36 5 4:10 5:10 31 25 4:10 5:10
Break 4:20 Break 4:20
30 6 4:30 3:30 25 26 4:30 3:30
29 7 4:40 3:40 24 27 4:40 3:40
28 8 4:50 3:50 23 28 4:50 3:50
27 9 5:00 4:00 22 29 5:00 4:00
26 10 5:10 4:10 21 30 5:10 4:10
Break 5:20 Break 5:20
1 11 5:30 6:30 11 31 5:30 6:30
2 12 5:40 6:40 12 32 5:40 6:40
3 13 5:50 6:50 13 33 5:50 6:50
4 14 6:00 7:00 14 34 6:00 7:00
5 15 6:10 7:10 15 35 6:10 7:10
Break 6:20 Break 6:20
6 16 6:30 5:30 16 36 6:30 5:30
7 17 6:40 5:40 17 37 6:40 5:40
8 18 6:50 5:50 18 38 6:50 5:50
9 19 7:00 6:00 19 39 7:00 6:00
10 20 7:10 6:10 20 40 7:10 6:10

 The top 20 teams are seeded for the state meet so that they will be located in the 2nd half of judging.
The top 10 teams will have the one set of judges; the second 10 teams will have the other set of
judges.

 The assignment of teams ranked one through ten after region competition should be assigned to the
same panel of judges. For scores to be fair, the same panel of judges must be used for accurate score
comparison.

SCHEDULE-3
 State Meet Speech/Interview Schedule
Friday Rotation Chart – Large School
(Alternate plan if a local host team is entered)

NOTE: Starting time and lengths of breaks may be altered)

Group A Group B
Region State Speech Interview Region State Speech Interview
Rank Team # Time Time Rank Team # Time Time
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

local 41 3:30 4:30 35 21 3:30 4:30

40 1 3:40 4:40 34 22 3:40 4:40
39 2 3:50 4:50 33 23 3:50 4:50
38 3 4:00 5:00 32 24 4:00 5:00
37 4 4:10 5:10 31 25 4:10 5:10
36 5 4:20 5:20
Break 4:30 Break 4:20
30 6 4:40 3:40 25 26 4:40 3:40
29 7 4:50 3:50 24 27 4:50 3:50
28 8 5:00 4:00 23 28 5:00 4:00
27 9 5:10 4:10 22 29 5:10 4:10
26 10 5:20 4:20 21 30 5:20 4:20
Break 5:30 Break 5:30
1 11 5:40 6:30 11 31 5:40 6:30
2 12 5:50 6:40 12 32 5:50 6:40
3 13 6:00 6:50 13 33 6:00 6:50
4 14 6:10 7:00 14 34 6:00 7:00
5 15 6:20 7:10 15 35 6:20 7:10
Break 6:30 Break 6:30
6 16 6:40 5:40 16 36 6:40 5:40
7 17 6:50 5:50 17 37 6:50 5:50
8 18 7:00 6:00 18 38 7:00 6:00
9 19 7:10 6:10 19 39 7:10 6:10
10 20 7:20 6:20 20 40 7:20 6:20

 The top 20 teams are seeded for the state meet so that they will be located in the 2nd half of judging.
The top 10 teams will have the one set of judges; the second 10 teams will have the other set of
judges.

 The assignment of teams ranked one through ten after region competition should be assigned to the
same panel of judges. For scores to be fair, the same panel of judges must be used for accurate score
comparison.

SCHEDULE-4
 Scholarship Money
Revised 8/1/2015

Scholarship money is awarded only at state competition and is given equally at the small,
medium, and large school competitions. The amounts for winning teams and individual winners
are noted below.

Winning Teams
First Place
9 members X $1200/each = $10,800.00 (x 3)
Second Place
9 members X 800/each = 7,200.00 (x 3)
Third Place
9 members X 500/each = 4,500.00 (x 3)

Individual Winners
First Place
Honor $3,500.00 (x 3)
Scholastic $3,500.00 (x 3)
Varsity $3,500.00 (x 3)
Second Place
Honor $2,500.00 (x 3)
Scholastic $2,500.00 (x 3)
Varsity $2,500.00 (x 3)
Third Place
Honor $1,500.00 (x 3)
Scholastic $1,500.00 (x 3)
Varsity $1,500.00 (x 3)
Fourth Place
Honor $1,000.00 (x 3)
Scholastic $1,000.00 (x 3)
Varsity $1,000.00 (x 3)
Fifth Place
Honor $750.00 (x 3)
Scholastic $750.00 (x 3)
Varsity $750.00 (x 3)

Total for all Scholarships (LS, MS, SS) Awarded $150,750.00

($50,250 allotted for scholarships per division)

SCHOLARSHIP MONEY-1
 Scoring
Revised 8/1/2015
At this time, the updated USAD scoring program has not been released; therefore some sample reports may look differently to
the ones included in the Scoring section.

1. The meet coordinator will appoint a scoring chairperson as early as possible. The
coordinator and scoring chairperson hopefully will attend a meeting in September to
review all aspects of the state scoring program. Regions who have their own scoring
program may continue to use it provided accurate results are guaranteed.
2. The chairperson will select a scoring committee. The committee might consist of:
 1 chairperson
 2 persons entering scores (1 calls, 1 enters)
 2 additional persons to do the same as the 1st pair, as a double check
 1 person to compare the two scores above and to look for “zero” scores and
confirm that there are not missing scores, but scores of students not present or
who did not take a test.
 2 persons to place award winners in envelopes for awards programs
(For state, more than eight will be needed.)
3. Use scoring program at a practice meet or with fictitious data to be able to produce all
needed documents at the final meet.
4. On Friday evening before the scoring committee leaves, it must have done the following:
 Entered and verified all essay, speech and interview scores
 Produced awards sheet in the three events showing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
 Produced a team report which will show team members’ scores in all three events
plus a team total score to be given to each coach (only his scores) Saturday
morning as soon as the first test begins or at a coaches’ meeting about the same
time.
 Have ready to return to coaches Saturday morning all speech and interview
judges’ scoring forms as well as the essay and scores of each essay judge.
5. The committee should be in place Saturday at the time that the first test is completed
ready to enter these scores. Throughout the day scores of each event plus the cumulative
team total should be given to coaches. At some meets these are given after each test. At
other meets these are handed to coaches after every two events.
6. On Saturday when Scantrons are delivered to the scoring room, they will be in numerical
order and will be enclosed in the Test Scoring Cover Sheet. One person in the scoring
room will examine those for missing scores or any testing violations and will call these
immediately to the attention of the scoring chairperson.

7. The speed and efficiency of the scoring committee will determine how many of the test
results can be available to the coaches prior to the Super Quiz Relay.

SCORING-1
8. After the conclusion of the relay, all coaches will be given their scores for all events plus
final team scores to view (time to be announced by competition manager). They will have
60 minutes to accept or reject these scores and file an appeal (See Appeals section).

9. The scoring committee will provide a copy of all school’s total reports to be given to all
coaches at the conclusion of the awards program.

10. It is allowable to have one observer at a time in the scoring room to view its operation.
This may be a coach or it may be a technology person from a school district that may be
hosting a meet the following year.

11. Once all awards’ lists have been generated, these can be inserted into the emcee’s script
for the awards program.

12. The scoring committee (or a different committee) will be responsible for inserting the
awards’ lists into the envelopes (to be sealed) to be given to the coaches just prior to the
awards program.

13. Once all team scores have been accepted by the coaches, a list of all teams and their final
scores must be faxed or delivered electronically via email to the state office. If emailed,
phone the state office notifying them to check email.

SCORING-2
 Scoring Reports Common to All Meets
(Region and State)
A. Assuming all region and state meets use the USAD software, all coaches should
expect to receive the same scoring information. If the USAD software is not used, it
is possible that some of these reports may not be available or may not be in the same
reporting form.

B. In addition to these reports indicating to coaches what scoring results they may
expect, they will also serve for region and state coordinators as a condensed version
of what to do to generate the results. Elsewhere, scoring personnel have a detailed set
of instructions in this area.

C. Reports, Order of Completion, and Samples:

1. Top Scores for Essay (sample #1)

Under Individual Rankings:

Check: Medals for Event (essay)
Check: Sort by Medal Type instead of Division

This report may be inserted directly into the awards script, as it separates
1st places, 2nd places, and 3rd places. It may also be placed in the sealed
“Essay” envelopes given to coaches just prior to the start of the awards
program and used by the coaches to send students to the awards or holding
area. It is NOT given to anyone until the awards program.

Note that this report groups together all 1st places, all 2nd places, and
finally all 3rd places. It is much easier to use for the awards script than
another report that looks like this one but is different in that it groups
within all honors, all scholastics, and all varsities.

2. Top Scores for Interview

(Same procedure as for Essay)

3. Top Scores for Speech

(Same procedure as for Essay and Interview)

SCORING-3
4. Team Competition Status Update (sample #2)

Under Comprehensive Team Reports:

Check: Comprehensive Team Reports without
Awards/Medals

This report, along with essays and calculations, speech judges’ scoring
forms, and interview judges’ scoring forms, will be given to each coach
for his school only at the Saturday morning coaches’ meeting, or no later
than the end of the second test on Saturday morning in the event there is
no coaches’ meeting.

Note that the “Team Total & Rank” as well as the “SQ Total & Rank” will
be removed or marked out in some manner.

For the remaining events of math, economics, art, science, music, social
science, and language/literature, this same report will be updated
throughout Saturday. Some meets are able to generate this after each
event, while others choose to distribute this report after every two events.

5. Top Scores for Mathematics

(Same procedure as for Essay)

6. Top Scores for Music

7. Top Scores for Economics

8. Top Scores for Science

9. Top Scores for Language/Literature

10. Top Scores for Art

11. Top Scores for Social Science

The remaining reports are prepared after all events are finished.

SCORING-4
12. Top Scores for Decathlon (sample #3)
Under Individual Rankings:
Check: List of Overall Medalists
Check: Sort by Medal Type Instead of Division
Go To: File Administrative Set-up
Change awards medals to five places instead of three, as this is the only
individual award where the top five places receive awards.
13. Team Competition Status Report
(Refer back to the directions for #4)
This report that has been given to coaches throughout the meet is now
complete and coaches will, upon viewing these scores, be ready to accept
them, or to file an appeal. The team and super quiz totals and ranks at the
top will not be visible at this time.
It is recommended that this report be used as the final report instead of the
“Comprehensive Final Team Report” as the latter in listing team
individual awards has some information listed that is not clear.
14. Team Report with Individual Rankings (sample #5)
Under Comprehensive Team Reports:
Check: Team Reports with Individual Rankings for Each
Event (and Overall)
This report will be in the coaches’ packets distributed after the awards
program.
15. Ranking of Team Super Quiz Scores (sample #6) (this report will not be
available using the USAD software for 2015-16…it must be prepared manually
using an Excel spreadsheet or something similar.
Under Team Rankings:
Check: Ranking of Team Super Quiz Scores
Check: Reports based on School Categories
Check: Reports based on School Types
Most meets with more than one division in competition will simply run
separate programs and, for example, a large school report and a separate
medium school report will be generated. (If running more than one
division in the same program, view the 1st report which will be all
divisions and then click the next button to generate separate reports.)
This report will be in the coaches’ packets distributed after the awards
program or email electronically during the following week.

SCORING-5
 16. Ranking of Team Overall Scores (sample #7)

Under Team Rankings:

Check: Ranking of Team Overall Scores
Check: Reports based on School Categories
Check: Reports based on School Types

The scoring chair will need to manually add the SQ Team Scores
(based on the two highest students per division) to the report totals from
the scoring software to determine the Team Overall Scores.

Securing separate division reports will follow the same procedure as

outlined in #15.

This report will be in the coaches’ packets distributed after the awards
program.

17. Accessible to Coaches by the Excel Spread Sheet via email will be:

 Individual scores of each team

 Ranking of all students by division or collectively

These will not be distributed to coaches at the meets.

SCORING-6
SCORING-7
SCORING-8
SCORING-9
SCORING-10
SCORING-11
SCORING-12
SCORING-13
 SPEECH
1. Each student will give a 4-minute prepared speech and a 2-minute impromptu speech
before a panel of three scoring judges and one timekeeper. The prepared Speech has a
value of 700 points and the impromptu is worth a maximum of 300 points.

2. The following penalties will be assessed to the prepared speech in the points indicated if:

a. Speech is read 700 points

b. Entire speech is written on note cards or note cards
are not in topic outline (see sample in this section)
or bulleted form. Complete sentences on note
cards will cause the loss of all points. 700 points
c. Speech is not delivered from a standing position
(unless student is confined to a wheelchair) or
lectern is used. 700 points
d. Speech is not the original work of the student
performing the speech or speech has been used
in years prior to the current season. 700 points
e. Props are used 700 points

(ENTER “0” ON PREPARED SPEECH PORTIONS OF SCANTRON

FORM IF ANY OF THE 2A-2E PENALTIES NEED TO BE ASSESSED”

f. Speech is less than 3-1/2 or more than 4 minutes.

There is no grace period. A prepared speech of
4 minutes and 1 second must be penalized. We will not
penalize if time is between 4 minutes and 4 minutes,
1 second. It is better for a timer not to record in fractions,
such as 4.0082. Take the whole number and first decimal
point with no rounding, such as 4.0 or 4.1. 70 points
g. Student hesitates and/or pauses for 30 seconds or more
during the speech. 70 points

(FILL IN PREPARED ONLY PENALTY PORTION AT BOTTOM OF

SCANTRON FORM IF EITHER OF THE 2F-2G PENALTIES NEED TO BE
ASSESSED”

3. The following penalties will be assessed to the impromptu speech in the points indicated
if:

a. Speech is not delivered from a standing position (unless

student is confined to a wheelchair) or lectern is used. 300 points
b. Note cards prepared prior to event (even though note
cards may be used.) 300 points

SPEECH-1
 c. Student leaves room during preparation time. 300 points

(ENTER “0” ON IMPROMPTU SPEECH PORTIONS OF SCANTRON

FORM IF ANY OF THE 3A-3C PENALTIES NEED TO BE ASSESSED”

d. Speech is less than 1-1/2 minutes or more than 2 minutes,

as there is no grace period. 30 points
e. Student hesitates and/or pauses for 30 seconds or more
during the speech. (If he/she does not also meet the time
requirement, he/she could receive two penalties.) 30 points

(FILL IN IMPROMPTU ONLY PENALTY PORTION AT BOTTOM OF

SCANTRON FORM IF EITHER OF THE 3D-3E PENALTIES NEED TO BE
ASSESSED.
NOTE: IF STUDENT HAS TIMING VIOLATIONS FOR BOTH PREPARED AND
IMPROMPTU SPEECHES, FILL IN THE “BOTH SPEECHES” PORTION OF THE
SPEECH PENALITIES SECTION”

4. Procedures to be followed in each speech room are:

a. Seating arrangement in speech room:

Student

Judge Judge Judge

Timer

With the timer seated behind the judges, it is easier for the student to notice the
time cards as they are held up.

b. Chairperson greets student and verifies that the student’s ID number coincides
with the roster and/or scoring form. Other judges are introduced. Judges will
enter ID number and name if these are not on preprinted labels on the scoring
form.
c. Chairperson will explain procedures and ask student if he has questions.
d. Timer will explain timing procedure and timing cards showing “1,” “1/2” and “0.”
The timer, upon asking the student if he is ready to begin on the prepared speech,
will say “begin.” After the student has spoken for three minutes, the timer will
show the card with “1” on it which is the time remaining. When the student has
spoken another 30 seconds, the timer will show the card with “1/2.” At this point
the student has reached the minimum time limit of 3-1/2 minutes. When the
student has spoken for 4 minutes, the timer shows the “0” card, but does not say
“stop.” The student who stops immediately when the “0” card is held up (even if
in the middle of a sentence) will not receive a penalty. The time of the prepared
speech will be written in the designated place on the scoring forms.

SPEECH-2
e. If the student has used note cards, these will be taken up and attached
to the scoring forms when completed.
f. For region and state meets, multiple sets of impromptu topics will be provided. A
new set will be used for every five students to guarantee that impromptu topics do
not leak out.
g. The chairperson will ask the student if he is ready to do the impromptu and will
then give the student a card with three topics on it. The timer at the same time
times the preparation time for one minute by saying “begin” and later “stop.” The
topic card is taken up and the timer signals the student to start by saying “begin.”
After the student has spoken for 1 minute, the timer will show a card with “1”
indicating one minute remaining. When the student has spoken another 30
seconds, the timer will show a card with “1/2 indicating the student has reached
the minimum time and has 30 seconds remaining. When the student has spoken 2
minutes, the timer will show the card with “0” but will not say “stop.” The time
of the impromptu will be recorded in the designated place on the scoring form.
No penalty is given if the student stops instantly when the “0” card is held up.
h. If the student inquires, it is acceptable to tell him/her if he/she had a time penalty.
i. Judges should remain silent and courteous during the speech presentations and
scoring periods. ALL electronic devices must be turned off in speech rooms.
j. Judges must mark scoring forms and (if necessary) the penalty forms immediately
following a student’s prepared and impromptu speeches.
k. If any extraordinary and unexpected interruption should occur during a speech,
judges should use their BEST judgment as to whether the student may restart
his/her speech. All incidents must be reported to the competition coordinator.
l. There should be a consensus among the three judges with regard to the
assessment of penalties. Therefore, after the students have completed both the
prepared and the impromptu speeches, the chairperson should check that all
judges agree on the assessment of any penalties for that particular student. If the
judges are not in agreement, the penalties should be briefly discussed and a
consensus should be arrived as follows:

 The timer is the final arbiter in the case of time violations

 The chairperson is the final arbiter in the case of revealing information
 Scoring forms must be changed so that the penalties assessed are the
same for all three judges.

m. A hall monitor will be available to inform judges if speech contest is running off
schedule. In this event, a proctor will escort a student to his/her assigned event
room, and judges will then be notified that the student was late by NO fault of
his/her own. Therefore, students should NOT be penalized or disqualified if
his/her speech/interview appointment time is delayed. Any unexcused tardiness
will result in a student’s disqualification.
n. Judges should not leave speech rooms at any time EXCEPT DURING BREAK.
o. The topic outline is distinguished by the form of the content. It is written in
words and phrases rather than in complete sentences.

SPEECH-3
 Description of Speech Evaluation Form
Rating Scale Categories
SPEECH DEVELOPMENT is the way the speaker puts ideas together so the
audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose and this
structure must include an opening, body and conclusion. A good speech
immediately engages the audience’s attention and then moves forward toward a
significant conclusion. This development of speech is supported by relevant
examples and illustrations, facts, and figures delivered with such smoothness that
they blend into framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole.

EFFECTIVENESS is measured in part by the audience’s reception of the speech,

but a large part is your subjective judgment of how the speech came across. You
should ask yourself such questions as “Was I able to determine the speaker’s
purpose?” “Did the speech relate directly to that purpose?” “Was the audience’s
interest held by the speaker?” “Was the speech subject appropriate for this particular
audience?”

CORRECTNESS of language insures that attention will be directed toward what the
speaker says, not how it is said. Proper use of grammar and correct punctuation will
show that the speaker is the master of words being used.

APPROPRIATENESS of language refers to the choice of words that relate to the

speech purpose and to the particular audience hearing the speech. Language should
promote clear understanding of thoughts and should fit the occasion precisely.

SPEECH VALUE justifies the act of speaking. The speaker has a responsibility to
say something meaningful and original to the audience. The listeners should feel the
speaker has made a contribution to their thinking. The ideas should be important
ones, although this does not preclude a humorous presentation of them.

VOICE is the sound that carries the message. It should be flexible, moving from one pitch to
another for emphasis, and should have a variety of rate and volume. A good voice can be clearly
heard and the words easily understood.

NON-VERBAL presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective

communication. The speaker’s appearance should reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad,
humorous, or instructional. Body language should support points through gestures, expressions,
and body positioning. The speaker’s manner should indicate an interest in the audience and
confidence in their reactions.

Permission to use this form has been granted by Toastmasters International

SPEECH-4
 Tips for Coaching the Speech Events
The Prepared Speech

Many TAD competitors report more apprehension about the speaking contest than about other
contests. They feel they have more control over mental recall than they do over the stage fright that so
often accompanies the speech contest.
To help the student develop self-confidence, you should encourage him/her to prepare the speech
early, rehearse it thoroughly, and give it to a variety of audiences before the contest. Only by repetitive
performance does one learn to control nervousness and to channel the energy into a vibrant delivery style.
Urge the student to seek feedback from the audiences and to remain flexible until near the contest date.
Too often the students compose the speech, then resist changes suggested by others because of an
attachment to the original content. Advise them to address particularly any given criticism that occurs
several times from several different listeners. The chances are good the judging panel may have the same
observations. Advise them, too, that alterations in the content are not bad; minor adjustments will help
prevent the speech from becoming stale.

Topic Selection
In choosing a speech topic, the student should consider audience analysis. A panel of adult
professionals will be judging the speech; therefore, the contestant is well-advised to reject topics that
primarily appeal to adolescents. This is not to suggest that the student avoid topics that concern a young
person. Certainly, the best speech topics will spring from the student’s strong feelings about subjects of
interest. The ideas simply should be presented in a manner appropriate to an adult audience. The topic
should be one marked by originality, or, if a universal theme, it should be unique in analysis and
approach.

Content
Because organization is an important criterion in the evaluation of the speeches, students are
advised to build speeches around outlines. Each speech should have (1) an introduction that captures the
attention of the audience and identifies the purpose of the speech; (2) a body with identifiable main
ideas, a logical progression of thought, and good support material; and (3) a conclusion that gives the
speech a tone of finality. Language of the speech should be free of colloquialisms and should be precise,
interesting and appropriate to an adult audience. All words must be pronounced correctly, and the speech
must be grammatically sound.

Rehearsal
For Verbal Effectiveness:
Practice sessions should result in improvement in vocal effectiveness. Note rate of speech, to make
certain the student is not speaking too rapidly and there are adequate pauses for effect and for listener
understanding. Note volume, making certain the speech is loud enough for clear audibility in any size
room. Note articulation (clarity of speech), making sure all words and phrases are understandable.
Help the student develop variety in pitch, volume, and rate - - avoid monotone.

For Nonverbal Effectiveness:

Train the student to move into the room with an air of confidence and directness. (First
impressions matter)! Help the speaker establish direct eye contact with the judges and project facial
expressions appropriate to the verbal message being sent. Posture and gesturing should reflect energy,
assurance and directness. They should appear spontaneous, rather than rehearsed.

SPEECH-5
 IMPROMPTU

Impromptu speaking develops the ability to “think on your feet.” Preparation involves
continual practice. It provides the students numerous opportunities to speak spontaneously on a wide
variety of topics. Coaches should issue lists of topics for students to practice with as individual
homework. Repeated practice will result in mastery of impromptu delivery.

Impromptu Speech Topics

(Examples)

If you became ruler of the world, what would you do?

When are you grown up?
If you could go back in time, where or when would you go?

If you could add one amendment to the constitution, what would it be?
What is a winner?
Who is the average teenager?

What is the highest political office you would like to hold and why?
What are the single most important problem facing American teenagers?
What advice would you give to an upcoming freshman about surviving high
school?
school!

What makes a person an individual, or is there such a thing as a true individual?

Is there too much pressure put on teenagers to succeed?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

If you could interview anyone, who would you choose and why?
What quality do you look for first in a friend and why?
If you were given two round trip tickets, where would you go and who would you take?

Patriotism
Humility
Honesty

SPEECH-6
 Speech Chairperson
A. Duties/Responsibilities

1. Secure 30 judges (3 per 9 test rooms) and three extras to replace possible last-
minute withdrawals. Use people from service clubs, Junior League, retired teachers,
current school staff, etc.

2. Secure 9 timekeepers. These may come from the pool of assistants contacted by the
Chairperson of Proctors and Runners or from your own resources. The timekeeper
should be an adult.

3. Secure at least four people to verify scores in the speech scoring room, if you
do not use Scantron bubble sheets for scoring. (Check and re-check the scores!
Absolute certainty with score validity is essential!)

4. Give food coordinator a total count of personnel you are having as assistants (judges,
timers, scorers) who will be eating at the contest site.

5. Secure the CD presentation of students giving speeches to be used at the judges’

Orientation Meeting from the state office.

6. Procure necessary materials. (See materials list.)

7. Obtain room number for speech rooms and scoring room from the building
facilitator.

8. Assign judges to speech rooms.

9. Prepare two packets for each judge and timer; mail one packet one week prior to
the competition and distribute the other packet on competition day.

10. Impromptu topics will be sent from state office. You should have no less than
four sets of three topics per set. Each set should be transferred to note cards.
Impromptu topics are changed at each break (5 students) to guarantee that new
topics are assigned to each group of students. Have blank note cards and pencils
in each speech room for use in Impromptu Speech preparation upon student
request.

11. If not using Scantron scoring sheets, then make copies of the Official Speech
Evaluation Form to be used in the scoring room.

12. Obtain nametags for judges.

13. The speech chairperson will determine the manner of getting students to
their respective speech rooms by:

SPEECH-7
 a. getting each coach the schedule, room number, and a floor plan and
expecting him to have his students on time at the speech rooms, or
b. having runners pick up students at their team rooms, or
c. having runners pick up students at a holding area near the speech rooms.
Runners may be students.

14. Reconfirm judges’ participation the day preceding the competition.

15. Check to see that each speech room has been properly set up before
competition. Plan to be available throughout the competition day activities.

16. Prior to competition, hold Judges’ Orientation Meeting; show CD and explain
scoring. Extend meeting for special instructions to nine room chairpersons.
Hold meeting for timekeepers and other aides and runners.

17. Instruct personnel in scoring room. (See scoring forms and Speech/Interview
Penalty Form.) The hand-scoring for speech is the same as for interview with the
exception that a speech penalty is applied after the addition and division steps.
Example: 870 + 850 + 820 = 2,540 divided by 3 = 846.7 less 70 penalty = 776.7

18. Go over all speech penalties in this TAD manual at training session.

19. Deliver (or supervise the delivery of) official results in speech to the scoring center.

20. Make copies of speech scoring forms and be prepared to give one copy of each
team’s scoring sheet to their respective coach on Saturday morning of the contest
for score verification. All forms MUST be returned.

21. Remember that each judging room must have the same number of judges, NO
MATTER WHAT! If you are short, you may revert to only 2 scoring judges in
each room. If you have the option of two judges in one event and three in the other,
place the two in interview and the three in speech.

Send appropriate thank-you notes.

B. Materials

1. Printed forms for packets 8. Thank you notes

2. Printed evaluation sheets 9. Envelopes (large, clasp)
3. Printed score/tabulation sheets 10. Video for judges’ training
4. Scantron scoring forms 11. Stopwatches (one per room; three
5. Time Cards extras)
6. Pencils 12. Note cards for Impromptu
7. Name tags

SPEECH-8
 SUPER QUIZ
Revised 8/02/2015

Overview
1. The Super Quiz Relay is the decathlon’s final event, and is a team event only. It
resembles a game show and takes place in a large arena (gymnasium or civic center)
before an audience that cheers for its team just as it would at an athletic event. It often
begins with a formal processional. Music is played and teams are individually announced
over the microphone as well as by a banner identifying each school. When the quiz
begins, absolute quiet must exist during the question and answer period. When the
correct answer is given, the audience may cheer for its team but return again to complete
silence when the emcee announces the next question number.

2. The Super Quiz Relay will consist of 10 questions for each of the three competition
levels. Each question will have a value of 100 points. The 3000-point maximum team
score will come from the scores of each competition level being summed and will
determine the Super Quiz Team awards. SQ points will not be used to determine the
overall individual or team awards.

3. Questions for the Super Quiz will be taken from the USAD study materials for Art,
Economics, Language & Literature, Music, Science, and Social Science. There will be
no listening question from the music section.

4. Teams sit apart from the audience for convenience in each competition level getting
quickly to the testing station during the three rounds of ten questions each per level. The
first round features all Varsity students at testing stations as they have come from being
seated on row 1. Following is the order of contestants for the nine rounds
:
Round 1 Varsity 7-9
Round 2 Scholastic 4-6
Round 3 Honors 1-3

5. After the processional, there are usually welcoming remarks, an invitation to the audience
to answer the test questions on an Audience Participation Answer Sheet (SUPER QUIZ-7
handed to them as they entered the room), reference to this year’s Super Quiz topic, as
well as to the last three or four topics, and instructions to the team members and proctors.
6. Coaches are not seated with their teams but usually in a reserved section apart from the
teams. Students are not to have any materials of any kind with them during the quiz.
Proctors are assigned throughout the student seating area for supervision and for the
purpose of escorting students to restrooms in emergencies.

SUPER QUIZ-1
Testing Procedure

1. All questions are multiple-choice. A question is shown on the projection screen while the
emcee reads the question aloud, and the students read the question that has been placed in
front of them face down. It is the students’ responsibility to turn the question over when
the emcee begins reading it. The questions may be typed on index cards, but it is easier
to prepare them on 8 ½ x 11 paper from the 8 ½ x 11 original sent to the meet
coordinator.

2. Teams MUST select a lead student for each academic level to select/mark their group
answer.

3. During the time the emcee is reading the question, the students are allowed non-verbal
communication.

4. Once the last word of the last multiple-choice answer is read aloud, the students have ten
(10) seconds to orally discuss and select/mark their answer; then a buzzer sounds to
indicate time is up. When the lead student marks the answer, he/she holds the pencil in
the air until the answer sheet is scored by the proctor. The correct answer is revealed on
the projection screen at the same time the emcee announces the correct answer.

5. The student marks his answer by circling one choice from A, B, C, D, or E. If the student
marks his/her answer after the buzzer, no credit is given. If he/she marks his answer in
any manner other than circling, credit may be given if intent is clear in the eyes of the
proctor. If a student changes an answer, it must be done before the 10-second buzzer and
still be clear to the proctor what his/her intent was. If the answer for a question is marked
on the space for another question, the answer will be counted as incorrect. The answer
will be erased and the student can answer the next question.

6. If an answer, right or wrong, is called out by the audience and is heard by the emcee, the
question will be eliminated and an alternate question may be substituted. However, once
the limited number of alternate questions has been exhausted, the voided questions will
be eliminated and the total value of the relay Super Quiz will be reduced by 100 points
for each voided question. If TAD does not send alternate questions, each meet
coordinator will prepare one varsity alternate, one scholastic alternate, and one honor
alternate question (contact the state office for assistance).

7. While there is a fifteen-minute time at the end of Super Quiz to submit appeals
(especially on correctness of answers), a coordinator may invite coaches to submit these
even during the quiz in order to give the appeals committee time to rule on them.

SUPER QUIZ-2
 8. After the proctors score the answer sheets, it is time for the score to be reflected on the
score stand. This score is a cumulative score for all correct answers of all competition
levels. It is an unofficial score until all scores have been verified and totaled after round
three. While it is acceptable for proctors to flip the charts, it is more exciting (and
recommended) for the student to do this. We also recommend flipping the chart after
each question rather than after each round. If cards are not flipped after each question,
each school should develop a system of signaling to its visitors in the audience so they
know if the students’ answer was correct. (It is possible to run Super Quiz without score
stands, but we recommend that some form of running display of scores be implemented in
order to keep the excitement going for students and audience alike.)

9. After the Varsity students have answered ten (10) questions and the “lead” student has
initialed the score sheet indicating he/she agrees with the proctor’s total score, the
students return to their seats and the scholastic students go through the same procedure.
This continues with the Honor students.

10. After round 3, there will be at least a fifteen-minute break:

a. to allow proctors and Super Quiz officials time to verify the team totals and
b. to allow appeals to be submitted and ruled upon.
Proctors are to remain at their stations until final scores have been certified.

Scoring Stands and Flip Chart

Each region may choose to display correct answers in a method convenient for the region. If
scores are displayed, the following are two methods:
1. The most economical scoring stand is the music stand used by your band or
orchestra director. Simply borrow one per team.
2. Use lightweight poster board and cut in sizes of 8 ½” x 11”. Number on one side
in large numbers 0 through 30 horizontally. Have a backing piece made from
heavy matte board. Bind the top of these 31 numbers plus the matte board with
plastic binding combs or metal rings. Place one set on each music stand with the
zero showing from the front. (Or a set of such numbers may be used without
binding them.)

SUPER QUIZ-3
PowerPoint and Student Test Questions
1. TAD will send coordinators a PowerPoint presentation which can be used to project the
questions/answers.

2. TAD will also send one set of 8 ½” x 11” questions without answers (one question &
answer stem per page). These originals will be used to produce the questions to be given
to the students at their stations. It is recommended that these be color coded according to
each of the three ID labels, namely Varsity, Scholastic, and Honor.

Suggested Super Quiz Relay Script Outline

1. Students are in designated seating ten minutes before the beginning or are in designated
area for processional.
2. Proctors are at their stations.
3. Appeals committee is at assigned table.
4. Opening comments, welcome, recognition of dignitaries, comment of SQ topic, etc.
5. Items under “Testing Procedure” are given for benefit of students as well as audience.
6. Audience is encouraged to participate using the special form.
7. Explain the requirement of absolute quiet during the question and answer period, but
cheers when answer is announced.
8. The normal pattern for reading and answering questions will be:
Proctors, place the next question face down.
Question 1 (lead student turns paper over as question is read – students use non-
verbal communication to discuss answer; once last answer choice is read, students
QUIETLY discuss answer choice and mark/make selection).
(10-second time limit and whistle/bell)
Time: Pencils up.
The correct answer is _________.
Proctors, score the question.
Students, add one to your scoreboard if correct.
Proctors, place the next question face down
Question 2 – same routine.
9. After Honor students, announce a 15-minute break while proctors double check scores
and appeals are submitted. The audience will be dismissed and an announcement made
that Super Quiz awards will be presented at the awards program (or immediately
following the Appeals time.) Scores on each stand are UNOFFICIAL pending appeals
and verification.

SUPER QUIZ-4
Scoring Report
Page SUPER QUIZ-8 is a model of the team answer sheet. One must be prepared for
each team. Team name and number should be printed in advance. Students will mark
their answers on this form. A proctor will mark each as correct or draw a line through the
question number. A proctor will place total correct in the appropriate place and the
student will initial the report indicating he/she agrees with the posted number of correct
answers. At the end of round 3, the team answer sheets for all teams will be sent to the
scoring room

Super Quiz Layout

1. The most desirable physical arrangement is one where the audience and the team (in its
holding area) can face the projection screen(s) and see all scoreboards (example with 13
teams on SUPER QUIZ- 9).
2. Rather than teams being seated in team order (01, 02, 03, etc.), they are seated in a way
that places them closest to their testing station. Thus, a team seated to the extreme right
does not have to walk each round to a station to the extreme left of the gym.
1. The example with 30 teams is less preferred, as it causes the audience not to be able to
view all scoreboards and thus not be able to compare scores of their team with other
teams. (SUPER QUIZ-10)
2. While the school gymnasium is used often with a smaller number of teams, it may be
necessary at larger meets to consider a university gymnasium or a civic center. Many
sites require a protective covering to be used on the floor.
3. If a very large screen cannot be obtained, use 2-3 smaller screens so that all of the
audience can see.
4. Team stations need to be labeled with school names or numbers and identified on the
Audience Participation Sheet so that the audience can locate where every team is testing.
5. Check in advance the facility lighting so that questions on the screen(s) can be read as
some lights are too bright.
6. Some meets have one proctor per team while most use one proctor monitoring two teams;
either choice is sufficient.
7. Rather than the proctor laying the question open in front of the student, it is
recommended that it be placed face down at the time instructed and allow the student to
pick it up and flip it over for viewing.

SUPER QUIZ-5
Relay Chairperson

1. Familiarize yourself with the Decathlon and Super Quiz Relay and secure the following
personnel (some individuals may serve in dual roles).
a. Supervisor to train proctors at testing stations. This will take place 1-1½ hours
before the Super Quiz
b. Proctors to score answer sheets (1 for every 2 schools or one for each school) and
hand out questions at testing stations
c. Monitors stationed among the teams and audience to give crowd control and
require quiet time
d. Person to distribute Audience Participation Sheets and pencils
e. PowerPoint operator
f. Emcee (one who can guarantee to integrity of the test since he/she will need to
have the questions 3-4 days in advance to learn the correct pronunciation of
names and difficult words)
g. Timer – will work a stopwatch and ring bell or sound whistle
h. Appeals committee (will probably be selected by meet coordinator)
i. Person to organize the processional, if this is done

2. Materials needed for relay

a. Pencils for each testing station plus audience
b. Red markers for proctors
c. Team banners for march-in (optional)
d. Computer with PowerPoint installed, thumb drive with Super Quiz Relay file,
projection screen(s), projector, and extra bulb(s)
e. Sound system
f. Whistle, bell, or other item to be a 10-second signal
g. Stopwatch
h. Script for emcee
i. Podium
j. Flip charts (scores)
k. Music stands for flip charts
l. Set of questions (color-coded) for students at each testing station
m. Scoring report for each team with team names and numbers already coded
n. Name tags for all persons with duties in Super Quiz
o. Audience Participation forms
p. Chairs and tables or chairs and chair-desks at testing stations
q. Extension cords

3. At the coaches’ meeting on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, go over all plans
about the Super Quiz that teams need to know. If a meet has an assembly for all teams,
this can also be discussed here. For meets that have a processional, instructions may be
given in the holding area prior to march-in.

SUPER QUIZ-6
 SUPER QUIZ
Audience Participation Sheet

1. A B C D E 28. A B C D E
2. A B C D E 29. A B C D E
3. A B C D E 30. A B C D E
4. A B C D E
5. A B C D E
6. A B C D E
7. A B C D E
8. A B C D E
9. A B C D E
10. A B C D E
11. A B C D E
12. A B C D E
13. A B C D E
14. A B C D E
15. A B C D E
16. A B C D E
17. A B C D E
18. A B C D E
19. A B C D E
20. A B C D E
21. A B C D E
22. A B C D E
23. A B C D E
24. A B C D E
25. A B C D E
26. A B C D E
27. A B C D E

SUPER QUIZ-7
 Texas Academic Decathlon® School name:
Students 1. Each question will be read out
I. VARSITY ROUND
(student numbers ending in 7, 8, & 9)
loud and projected onto the
screen.
1. A B C D E Correct
2. A B C D E Correct 2. After the question is read, the emcee
3. A B C D E Correct will say “begin,” which begins the
10-second timer and begins the time
4. A B C D E Correct
the team members can verbally
5. A B C D E Correct communicate with each other (only
6. A B C D E Correct non-verbal communication is
7. A B C D E Correct allowed before the reader says
8. A B C D E Correct “begin”).
9. A B C D E Correct
3. During the 10-second answer
10. A B C D E Correct period, one team member must
Varsity Total: ________/10 mark the team answer sheet by
II. SCHOLASTIC ROUND circling a letter A – E.
(student numbers ending in 4, 5, & 6)
4. The answer will be revealed on the
1. A B C D E Correct screen, read out loud, and a proctor
2. A B C D E Correct will score the team’s answer.
3. A B C D E Correct
4. A B C D E Correct
Proctor 1. For each correct answer, circle
5. A B C D E Correct
“Correct” to the right of the
6. A B C D E Correct question number.
7. A B C D E Correct
8. A B C D E Correct 2. For each incorrect answer, draw a
9. A B C D E Correct line through the question number.
10. A B C D E Correct
Scholastic Total: ________/10 3. Please count the number of
“Correct” circles and place that
III. HONORS ROUND number at the bottom for each
(student numbers ending in 1, 2, & 3) round (Varsity, Scholastic,
Honors)
1. A B C D E Correct
2. A B C D E Correct
3. A B C D E Correct
4. A B C D E Correct
5. A B C D E Correct
6. A B C D E Correct
7. A B C D E Correct
8. A B C D E Correct
9. A B C D E Correct
10. A B C D E Correct
Honors Total: ________/10
Total correct answers
(Maximum Score = 30)

SUPER QUIZ-8
 Super Quiz Relay (Setup Sample 1)
Projection Screen

Timer Reader Projector

TEAM TEAM TEAM TEAM TEAM

1 2 3 4 5
Appeals

TEAM TEAM TEAM TEAM

6 7 8 9

TEAM TEAM TEAM TEAM

10 11 12 13

Students
0101 06011001 0201 0701 1101 0301 08011201 0401 0901 1301 0501
0102 06021002 0202 0702 1102 0302 08021202 0402 0902 1302 0502
0103 06031003 0203 0703 1103 0303 08031203 0403 0903 1303 0503
0104 06041004 0204 0704 1104 0304 08041204 0404 0904 1304 0504
0105 06051005 0205 0705 1105 0305 08051205 0405 0905 1305 0505
0106 06061006 0206 0706 1106 0306 08061206 0406 0906 1306 0506
0107 06071007 0207 0707 1107 0307 08071207 0407 0907 1307 0507
0108 06081008 0208 0708 1108 0308 08081208 0408 0908 1308 0508
0109 06091009 0209 0709 1109 0309 08091209 0409 0909 1309 0509
Monitors Monitors Monitors
COACHES COACHES COACHES COACHES

Audience

SUPER QUIZ-9
 Super
S Quiz
Q Rellay (Setu
up Samp
ple 2)

X
E

T
a
+ O b + O + + O + + O +
l
e

Audience
Audience

+ O + + O + + O +

+ O + + O + + O +

+ O + + O + + O +

+ O + + O + + O +

Honoor -1
LEG
GEND Honoor -2
Honoor -3
Tim
mer Schoolastic -4
TEAM
MS Schoolastic -5
Screen
n Schoolastic -6
Varssity -7
Varssity -8
X Varssity -9
Overheead

Chair
C
SStudent Desk
Or Table

+ SScore Stand E Emcee

E

O Prooctor Chair
SUPE
ER QUIZ-100
 Tie-Breaking Procedure
To Determine Highest Place Team Award
for Advancement to State/National Competition
Revised 8/1/2015
Region
The overall goal is to select the top team from each region and the 28 highest scoring teams
statewide to have 40 teams advance to the state meet in large school state competition.
The region medium school winners will advance to the state meet and additional highest
scoring teams statewide totaling 30 teams advance to the medium school state competition.
The region small school winners will advance to the state meet and additional highest scoring
teams statewide totaling 10 teams advance to the small school state competition
In the event more than the designated number of schools earn a score equal to the highest
score, then the following shall be the procedure to follow in attempting to select only the set
number of teams to represent the Region Academic Decathlon competition.

Use only the seven (7) written tests of competition to determine the accumulated score for each
team as a whole. The highest combined score will determine the team to be selected as the
winner. Tests to use – Mathematics, Science, Economics, Language/Literature, Art, Music,
and Social Science.

If two teams should tie for the top overall score in the events, then both teams shall represent
the region at the state competition. The next place team shall be considered as winning the
“third” place award. Ties in other award categories shall be recognized as ties – each receiving
the same appropriate award.

State
The overall goal of this competition is to select the highest scoring team from within the large,
medium, or small schools to represent the State of Texas at the United States Academic
Decathlon national finals. In the event two or more teams earn a combined score equal to the
highest overall score, the following shall be the procedure to follow in an attempt to select one
team, the state winner, to represent the State of Texas at the national event.

Use only the seven (7) written tests of competition to determine the accumulated score for each
team as a whole. The highest combined score will determine the winning team to be selected
as the one official team to represent the State of Texas at the United States Academic
Decathlon event. Tests to use – Mathematics, Science, Economics, Language/Literature, Art,
Music, and Social Science.

TIE BREAK-1
 Timing Devices
Revised 8/1/2015

Cell phones or pagers are not allowed in the testing

rooms. Watches are allowed only if they are silent and do
NOT have two-way communication capabilities. No
alarms or beepers of any kind are allowed in a testing
room. Unacceptable items will cause the student’s paper
to be picked up and the student will receive a zero for that
test. The only electronic devices allowed are calculators
on math tests and silent timing devices on all tests.

In addition to written materials – no downloadable,

programmable or information-holding device – digital or
electronic – will be allowed in any of the testing areas.
The device may have many functions such as time-
keeping, but if one of the functions fits the previous
statement, the device is not allowed.

Example – iPOD, iWatch, iPad, iPhone, PDAs, etc.

There will be no iPODs in any testing room at

competition. This is NOT a timer and even though it has
a timer included with it, it is not considered a timing
element.

TIMING DEVICES-1
 Validation/Eligibility/Registration
Revised 8/1/2015

Validation / Eligibility
1. While coaches may make a rough evaluation of what division a student will compete in
while they are recruiting students for the team, an official transcript should be available
in the summer prior to the start of school and exact grade point averages should be
computed so both coaches and students know the division of the students.
2. Numeric values are assigned as follows:
A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C = 2 points
D = 1 point

3. For the conversion of numerical grades on the transcript, each school’s local grading
scale will be what is followed for TAD and USAD competition. If the conversion scale is
not on the transcript, it should be sent with the transcript to region and state competition.
Example: School A has the following conversion scale that results in the corresponding
decathlon grade points:
90-100 = A = 4 points
80-89 = B = 3 points
75-79 = C = 2 points
70-74 = D = 1 point
69 & below = F = 0 points

4. The three divisions are determined by the grade points indicated:

Honor: 3.75-4.00 (may compete only at Honor level)
Scholastic: 3.00-3.74 (may compete at Scholastic or Honor level)
Varsity: 0.00-2.99 (may compete at all levels)
When computing the GPA, there is no rounding up. This 2.9974 is 2.99, or varsity.

5. Even though a district may weight advanced classes, there is no weighting of grades for
courses that count for the Decathlon GPA. An “A” grade will count 4 points for
Decathlon competition even if it counts 5 points within the local system. Under no
circumstances may an “A” grade count three points. The letter grade on the transcript will
be used regardless of any plus or minus.

6. Section “COURSES” in this manual includes all courses to be used in computing the
GPA.

7. If a GPA approved course receives more than one credit, multiply the number of credits
times the number of grade points and divide by the increased number of credits.

VER-1
8. Foreign exchange students are eligible to participate at their computed division provided
they have not graduated from high school in their home country and provided they
possess a valid transcript that can clearly be interpreted. If the transcript is unclear, or is
there is no transcript, the student must compete in the Honor division.

9. If a student receives a failing grade in any academic course, the F is counted in averaging
the student’s grades even though no credit is given. When a course has been failed prior
to the focus period for which the GPA is being computed but repeated during that period,
only the repeat grade is counted. When a course is failed and repeated during the focus
semesters, both grades will be counted in the GPA. Also, when a student repeats a course
with an original passing grade, both grades are counted in the GPA if both are taken in
the focus period.

10. How should GPA be calculated for a class where the student passes, but is denied credit
due to excessive absences? If a student received no credit due to excessive absences in a
GPA approved course, the course should be counted. However, the student should
receive zero grade points for that course regardless of the grade on the transcript. The
transcript should be clearly marked to indicate that the "no credit" was due to excessive
absences, or an explanation of the reason must be attached to the student's records.

11. Incomplete grades for GPA approved courses are not included in computing the GPA
unless the student received an F that appears on the transcript. Once a grade is given to
remove an incomplete, that grade must be used to determine the Decathlon GPA.

12. If a GPA approved course receives only a pass/fail grade on the transcript, the following
scale shall be used:
Pass = 4 grade points
Fail = 0 grade points
If the transcript shows a numeric grade and a pass/fail grade, then the numeric grade shall
be used in accordance with that school’s usual numeric-letter grade conversion scale.

13. Community or college courses are included in the GPA only if high school credit is given
and the course is listed on the official school transcript.

14. If a school or a teacher has a policy of changing grades subsequent to receipt of advanced
placement test scores, the new grade must be used for the computation of the Decathlon
GPA.

15. Participation in the United States Academic Decathlon is open to all students, regardless
of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, disability, or handicap.

16. Correspondence courses, if listed on the transcript, count as any other courses.

17. If a student’s grades are not available, the student must compete in the Honor division.

VER-2
18. Find the GPA Worksheet in the “Forms” section of the TAD website
http://www.txacadec.org/decathlon.html . The Worksheet is in MS Excel.
Instructions are found on the first tab. The grades to be used come from the two
previous years as listed below:

Twelfth graders: All of tenth grade, all of eleventh grade, plus summer session
between tenth and eleventh and between eleventh and twelfth.
Eleventh graders: all of ninth grade, all of tenth grade, plus summer sessions between
ninth and tenth and between tenth and eleventh.
Tenth graders: All of eighth grade, all of ninth grade, plus summer sessions
between eighth and ninth and between ninth and tenth.
Ninth graders: All of seventh grade, all of eighth grade, plus summer sessions
between seventh and eighth and between eighth and ninth.

Courses to be used for seventh and eighth grades will be language arts (English and
reading), mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language. If language arts
consists of only English, only use this grade. (A list of acceptable 7th & 8th grade courses
can be found in section “COURSES” of this manual.)

19. The following directions may be helpful in filling out the GPA computation worksheet.
1. Secure an official transcript (with Registrar’s seal/signature, or coded/
watermarked paper) for each student
2. Compare the courses listed to the list of “Courses for GPA” (included in this
manual).
3. List the eligible courses on the worksheet under the proper semester.
4. Fill in the grades (numerical) for each course listed.
5. Using the conversion scale given in the “VER” section of this manual, fill in
the grade points for each course.
6. Total the grade points for both years (including summer school) and divide the
total by the number of courses taken. The result is the GPA that is used for
purposes of the Academic Decathlon.
For addition information, call the Contest Coordinator or the Validation Chair.

20. Within each state the determination of the composition of each team is made by the State
Academic Decathlon organization and/or the State Director. The state championship team
that attends the National Finals, however, must be comprised according to the guidelines
above. The nine students who attend the National Finals must be the same nine students
who participated and won the State competition. In case of an “extreme medical
emergency” and/or “death in the immediate family” occurring after the state competition,
the State Executive Director and the Executive Director of the United States Academic
Decathlon (USAD) will determine the eligibility of another student to replace the absent
team member. The state Academic Decathlon organization has the full authority to
declare the first-place team ineligible to attend the National Finals in accordance with the
rules and practices of their own state organization, and may send the second-place team
to represent their state. USAD will be notified promptly of such an occurrence.

VER-3
21. If only a single yearly average is listed on a transcript for a class which grants one credit,
or which is a full year class, the yearly average should be listed two times on the AcaDec
GPA Worksheet, once for each semester with appropriate grade points.

22. Credit for a course that is awarded as a result of a credit-by-exam should not be used in
calculation of GPA for Academic Decathlon, even if it is on the list of courses found in
the COURSES for GPA section of the Academic Decathlon Manual.

23. The Texas Academic Decathlon is an approved organization of the Texas Education
Agency (TEA) and as such has agreed to follow University Interscholastic League (UIL)
guidelines regarding student participation in extracurricular activities. Student absences
for Decathlon will be considered excused provided the local Board of Trustees supports
the team’s participation. The general eligibility requirement, outlined in Subchapter M,
Section 400 of the UIL CONSTITUTION AND CONTEST RULES applies to Texas
Academic Decathlon. Coaches are advised to look at this section closely.

24. NO PASS, NO PLAY: TEA and UIL produce yearly the booklet entitled “Side by Side”
which covers the guidelines about passing in order to participate. This booklet is
available at the UIL website: http://www.uiltexas.org/policy/tea-uil-side-by-side. A
valuable portion of this manual is a listing of questions and answers. Also, most school
districts print a calendar of eligibility dates based on their school calendar. IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH DECATHLON COACH TO SEE THAT TEAM
MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE, GRADE-WISE, TO PARTICIPATE AT REGION AND
STATE MEETS.

VER-4
Registration for the Region Meet
1. A registration packet will be sent to coaches well in advance of the region meet. The
following must be included. They are found on the Texas Academic Decathlon website
http://www.txacadec.org/decathlon.html ) in electronic form.
 Team Registration form (1 per team)
 Numeric / Letter Grade Conversion Form (1 per team)
 Student Registration form (1 per team member, including alternates)
 Student Permission form (1 per team member, including alternates)
 GPA worksheet (1 per team member, including alternates)
 Special Request form (1 per team, even if there are no special requests)
 Student observer form (1 per team; include observer and/or alternates; Limit: 3)
 Request for student replacement (submit only if needed)

2. A team may submit a full registration packet for one alternate in varsity, one in
scholastic, and one in honor if they desire. These three packets should be clearly labeled
“ALTERNATE” and would be evaluated only if there became a need to substitute.
SUBSTITUTIONS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE
1ST EVENT.

3. All students in attendance (participants and observers) must meet the state criteria for
eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities.

4. The packet from region will contain other forms to be submitted such as hotel,
transportation, etc.

Registration for the State Meet

1. Teams who qualify for state will not need to submit any of the forms listed in #1 above,
unless there is a need to replace a student due to the reasons allowed. The packet from
region will be mailed by the region coordinator to the state meet coordinator
immediately upon teams being announced who qualify.
2. The VALIDATION COMMITTEE at state will recalculate all grade point averages and
certify all students to be competing in the correct division even though these were
verified at region. (not necessary for honor students)
3. Students competing in a designated division at region may not be changed for state, even
though they qualify for both divisions. (Example—students S-5 and H-8 both are
actually scholastic students. They may not be reversed between region and state.)

VER-5
Validation Committee and Chair
1. The deadline for all validation materials (team registration, student registration,
transcripts, GPA worksheets, etc.) should be at least one month before the meet. A good
date is usually the day before the Christmas holidays (for region).

2. This committee will verify all contestants’ GPA’s from the transcripts and GPA
worksheets by having all GPA’s computed by two different persons. Coaches will be
contacted immediately if problems exist, especially if it affects the division in which the
student is to compete.

3. Once the GPA’s have been verified, the Team Registration Form will be given to the
Computer Scoring Committee to enter student name and ID numbers. A computer
print-out of students and coaches should be faxed to the coach to verify all information
for spelling and accuracy.

4. This committee will be ready the day after the region meet to send all validation forms to
the state meet coordinator for those teams qualifying for state.

Identification Badges for Students

While the Validation Committee and the Registration Committee will be the first to have lists of
students and their ID numbers, it is recommended that a special committee be responsible for the
ID badges for students, and do the following:
1. Determine the style of badge and purchase them.
2. Determine any special design that may go on the badge
3. Have badges printed with student name, ID number, and testing room number
4. Place badges in badge holders
5. Sort by schools to be handed out at registration
6. (optional) This committee could also be responsible for nametags for coaches, judges,
proctors, observers, volunteers, etc.
7. Refer to “Name ID-1” for more information.

VER-6
Registration Committee and Chair
1. First responsibility is to determine what is to be included in the packet of materials to be
sent to each school. The items below are possibilities and will vary from region to state.
Some of these items may have been distributed at the fall coaches’ meeting.
Team registration form
Student registration form
GPA worksheets
Student permission form
Request for student replacement
Special Request form
Student Observer form
Welcome letter
Meet schedule
Hotel information
Meet transportation, if available
City maps
Administrators to attend and to present medals
Building floor plan
Seating for awards program
Meal request
Super Quiz Arrangement
Team photos
T-shirt form (state meet)
Social activities for Saturday evening (state meet)
Dress code/Code of conduct
Speech/Interview schedule

2. The next task is to organize any registration activities that occur at the team’s arrival.
These may include the handing out of name badges, items of last minute change, etc.
Registration may occur at the host high school or at the hotel as teams arrive.

VER-7
 Code of Student Conduct
All team members are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner while attending an
Academic Decathlon event, including all travel, hotel, and sightseeing time associated with their
participation in the Regional or State meet of the Texas Academic Decathlon. Appropriate
conduct of team members is the sole responsibility of the team coach(es)/school administrator
who has the legal responsibility of chaperone for his/her team members at all times. Students
should be under the supervision of the coach during all activities including those at school
campuses, eating establishments, hotels, and travel.
Inappropriate conduct includes but is not limited to:
1. Damage to or vandalism of any property
2. Appropriation of memorabilia from a hotel or competition site
3. Use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs by students, regardless of age
4. Use of water pistols, water balloons or other creative missiles at a hotel or competition site
5. Fighting, loud noise, or any other behavior which is disruptive to others at a hotel or
competition site
6. Any behavior toward another student that is deemed inappropriate by the Competition
Coordinator and site Appeals Committee
7. Any behavior directed toward a judge, proctor, or meet volunteer that is deemed
inappropriate by the Competition Coordinator and site Appeals Committee.
8. Being in possession of any weapon
Financial liability for all damage incurred by actions of a team member shall be the sole
responsibility of that team member and his/her parents.

Student Dress Code

Team uniforms are permissible, but not required. Distracting apparel during any part of a meet
should be avoided. This includes hats of any kind (except those worn for religious reasons),
excessively baggy, torn or ragged clothing, or excessively revealing clothing. If a test proctor,
meet official, or coach observes violations of the dress code, the student should be given the
opportunity to comply with the dress code prior to competition in an event. Once a student has
been allowed to compete in an event he or she may NOT be disqualified from that event because
of dress code violations.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Failure to comply with the Code of Student Conduct and/or the Student Dress
Code may result in disqualification from the event, the entire competition and
the awards ceremony.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In case of any incident the Competition Coordinator shall assemble the Appeals
Committee to determine appropriate action. Appropriate action may include
individual and/or team disqualification. Any disqualification(s) will be reported to the
TAD Executive Director and the appropriate school administration
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VER-8
 Replacement of Team Member or Team

Region Meet

The Board of Directors of the Texas Academic Decathlon would like for each team to
compete with a full team of nine members at each competition and therefore will allow
substitution if they are within guidelines.
Team members competing at region meets may be replaced if unusual circumstances
occur which prevents a member from attending the region meet. Team member substitution
must be done as early as possible but no later than twenty-four hours prior to the region contest.
Team member substitution forms are provided on the TAD website and must be completed and
approved by the district superintendent or his designee and forwarded to the region host with all
supporting data; i.e. GPA, transcripts etc., no later than 24 hours prior to the beginning of the
contest. More leniency should be used for team member substitution at region meets than at the
state contests. The team coaches should have a student or two in reserve in each classification in
case a student replacement is necessary. All supporting information should be completed for
these additional students in case it will be needed at the last moment.

State Meet

Substitution of a team member for teams that have qualified for the State meet will only
be approved by the State Executive Director in extreme emergency situations such as death of a
family member, accident which incapacitates a team member, failure of a course, etc. If a
student substitutes at region, he will be the student to compete at state (unless the school opts to
have only two students in that division for region competition.) Each substitution must be
submitted to and approved individually by the State Executive Director prior to competition.
These requests must be submitted to the State Executive Director at least twenty-four hours prior
to competition date and the substitute may not compete without the State Office's approval. Any
matter that cannot be resolved by the State Office will be resolved by the Academic Decathlon
Board Executive Committee prior to the contest.
The composition of each team is made by the State Academic Decathlon organization
and/or the State Executive Director. The state championship team to attend the National Finals,
however, must be comprised according to the guidelines above. The nine students who attend
the National Finals must be the same nine students who participated in and won the State
competition. In case of "extreme medical emergency" occurring after the state competition, the
State Executive Director and the Executive Director of USAD shall determine the eligibility of
another student to replace the absent team member.
The State Academic Decathlon organization has the full authority to declare the first
place team ineligible to attend the National Finals in accordance with the rules and practices of
its own state organization, and may send the second place team to represent its state. USAD will
be notified promptly of such an occurrence.

VER-9
 UIL – University Interscholastic League

Modifications for students with special needs

Basic Philosophy

When determining whether a student with special needs can compete in UIL academic events,
we look at the needs of all the contestants and ask the following questions.
1. Can the student compete at the same time as the other contestants?
2. Does the student who has to be given special consideration gain an advantage?
3. Does the student who has to be given special consideration cause the other contestants to
work at a disadvantage?

Requesting special needs modifications

UIL staff members will make some adaptations for students with special needs and 504
competitors on an individual request basis. The request must be in writing on school stationery
and the conditions of the adaptations must adhere to the following criteria.
a. the student must be able to compete at the same time as the other contestants in his/her
district or region;
b. the student who is given special consideration does not gain an advantage over other
contestants; and
c. the student who is given the special consideration does not cause the other contestants to
work at a disadvantage.

Examples
The use of a brailed copy or computer in writing and spelling competitions, enlarged test copy or
use of a magnifying glass may be made for a visually impaired student. However, a request to
give a student an extra 15 minutes in ready writing will be denied.

The request for special needs adaptation should be made at least two weeks prior to the contest.
Only one response letter is needed from UIL for the adaptation to be permitted at any level of
spring meet academic competition. However, if the student advances to the next higher meet, it
is the responsibility of the student’s school to notify the region or state office immediately.

The individual school district is responsible for making arrangements for tests to be typed in
brailed or enlarged through the special education cooperative or other facility which services the
student with the handicapping condition. The school district is also responsible for providing
equipment and translators where needed to enable the adaptation. Contest directors or district
directors may enlarge copy for special needs contestants upon receipt of an adaptation letter.

Visual Impairments/Dyslexia
VER-10
The district meet host may enlarge a test or tests to accommodate visually impaired students.
For students who need contests brailed, the UIL will provide a copy of the test to the appropriate
school administrator, whose responsibility it is to have the contest brailed, to maintain strict
contest confidentiality and to provide the brailed contest to the district meet academic contest
director in a timely manner. Students who need region or state meet contests brailed must
submit a formal request to Bobby Hawthorne, UIL academic director, at least two weeks prior to
the contest.

Motor Skills Impairments

Students with motor skill impairments may be granted special needs modifications. For
example, students with muscular dystrophy may be allowed to use laptop computers to compose
their current issues and event essays. Requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Full
documentation of rationale for allowing the modification is required before competition day
begins.

Separate Room
Under special circumstances, students may be allowed to take their contest in a room separate
from the other competitors. Requests are handle3d on a case-by-case basis. Full documentation
of rationale for allowing this modification is required to be sent with the other students’
registration packet.

Additional Time
Under no circumstances will students be allowed additional time to complete a contest, even if
the student’s IEP allows him or her additional time to complete basic course work and
standardized tests.

Alteration of Judging Criteria

Under no circumstances will the UIL alter a contest’s judging criteria. For example, a request
not to penalize a student for spelling on a written portion of the literary criticism contest will be
denied since it assumes that the student would have spelled every word correctly. This would
give the student an advantage over the other contestants.

VER-11