It is important that each student who participates at the State Competition is made aware of the following competition rules. Rules are strictly enforced.

Participant Identification

All test materials pertaining to a participant must show an identification number in order to be acceptable for scoring. ScanTron forms will be pre-slugged with identification numbers. No students should identify their school names to any judge during the speech or interview competition.

Leaving the Testing Room

Participants may NOT leave the testing room (including Super Quiz) for any reason before the scheduled break. A student who leaves a testing room or event will not be permitted to return until the next scheduled break. A participant who leaves must first secure the permission of the proctor and turn in their test and ScanTron. Any participant who has a medical condition that requires special provisions of any kind must provide the State Director with written documentation from a physician in advance of the competition. The time lost may not be made up. At break time, everyone should remain seated until the Test Administrator dismisses the entire room.

Super Quiz Relay

This event is held before a large audience; therefore, spectators are required to be as quiet as possible in order to give each contestant an equal opportunity.  Participants are NOT permitted to bring books, notes, purses, backpacks, coats, hats, electronic devices, or any other items to the team seating area or competition floor.  Coaches are not allowed to sit with or communicate with their team members during the Super Quiz.

Tardiness

Participants are responsible for being in the proper test location at the time each test begins. A participant who is tardy will NOT be allowed to enter the testing room until the break. Participants will not be allowed to enter the Super Quiz Relay venue once the competition commences.

Test Materials

The proctor will supply all printed materials and writing utensils necessary for the written tests. Calculators are allowed in the testing area for the Mathematics test only.  All calculators must meet competition criteria. Pens are allowed for the essay writing only. ALL additional materials including mascots, notes, purses, books, backpacks, coats, hats and electronic devices must be left outside the testing room. Students must clearly mark within the ScanTron bubbles in order for the score to count. All testing materials must be returned to the Test Administrator at the end of each test.

Starting/Stopping

If a proctor determines that a student has failed to stop when instructed to do so or has started before being instructed to do so, the student will receive a score of zero for that particular test.

Cheating

If a participant is involved in any unauthorized communication or uses any type of notes or unauthorized item, the proctor must immediately report the incident to the State Director or Test Administrator. A participant who is proven to have cheated will be disqualified from the event and may be disqualified from the competition. Participants removed because of cheating or misconduct will not be eligible for any awards. The decision of the Alaska Academic Decathlon is final and irrevocable.

Withdrawal/Alternates

In case of emergency or illness, a participant must formally withdraw in order to be eligible for any awards. To formally withdraw the participant must inform the State Director in writing. An alternate student CANNOT be substituted for a regular contestant once the competition begins. The State Championship team that attends Nationals must be the same nine team members that competed in the State Competition.

Test Scores

All scores posted on competition day are unofficial. Scores for Essay, Speech, and Interview and Super Quiz will not be posted.

Essay

Two essay judges will read all essays. If the scores differ by 200 points or more, the essay will then be read by a third reader. The closest two scores will be averaged to determine the essay score.

Speech and Interview

Students are encouraged to find their assigned room for speech and interview a few minutes ahead of their scheduled time. Judges have a very full schedule and no-shows will not be allowed to make up their time if they are late. Students are cautioned to remain quiet in the hallways while waiting their turn. Excessive noise will not be tolerated.

Appeals

An appeal regarding any test item can be made by any contestant through the team coach. Appeals must be presented on an Appeals Form to the State Director or Test Administrator during the earliest break after a test has been completed. Appeals on the Oral Super Quiz must be presented within 15 minutes of the completion of the oral Super Quiz. An Appeals Committee convened by the State Director will decide all appeals at the time of the appeal. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final. Essay, Speech and Interview scores are not subject to appeal. (An appeals form is located on this web site.)

Standards of Conduct

Coaches and Decathletes are required to comply with the above competition rules and those stated in the Alaska Academic Decathlon CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND DRESS CODE. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in the disqualification of the participant and/or an entire team.