Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. What constitutes a complete Academic Decathlon Team?

A “team” for any Academic Decathlon competition consists of nine members. Three members must be eligible as “Honor” participants; three must be eligible as “Scholastic” participants; three must be eligible as “Varsity” participants. However, in an attempt to allow more students the opportunity to participate at the state level, teams are allowed to bring an alternate in the Honors, Scholastic and Varsity Division.

2. Can a school be competitive in a State Academic Decathlon with less than the nine member complete team?

Yes - A school may send a six-member team to compete in the State Competition. If any school team consists of only six members, the school may compete as a “team” if they have two eligible Honor” participants, two eligible “Scholastic” participants, and two eligible “Varsity” participants.

3. May a school send fewer than six students to compete in the Alaska Academic Decathlon Competition?

Yes - however, no more than four students in any division may attend. In other words a team cannot bring five “Honor” or “A” students and none in the other categories. In order to be competitive the team should strive to have a minimum of six participants with two from each division.

4. Can more than three students in any category (Honor, Scholastic, or Varsity) participate in any Academic Decathlon competition?

Yes - A team may have an alternate in Honors, Scholastic and Varsity. Alternates will be allowed to compete in all events except the oral Super Quiz. Alternates are not eligible for awards.

5. How important are the stated AAD deadlines?

Extremely - In order to get all paperwork checked and the students entered into the computer program with an assigned number we must have the paperwork on time. No transcripts or paperwork for students registered at the time of the due date will be accepted at the registration table at State.

6. Will duplicate award medals be given if the scores for any event are tied?

Yes - all ties are awarded.

7.Will duplicate trophies and medals be awarded to teams if scores are tied?

Yes and No - Yes - If any team scores for Super Quiz are tied, duplicate trophies and medals to participating team members will be awarded.

No duplicate trophies and medals for overall first place team. In the unlikely event of a tie for first place it will be broken under direction of the Alaska Academic Decathlon Board of Directors. There can only be one State Champion. Second and/or third place team trophies and medals will be awarded in case of a tie.

8. What is the deadline for changing the positions of any team members already registered for competition with the State competition coordinator?

The deadline for any changes of team members as originally submitted by team coaches, shall be by 5:00 PM of the day preceding the actual competition events. The only possible exception to this rule is a true emergency case due to severe illness.

No changes of student positions will be allowed for any reason after 7:00 a.m. on competition day.

9. Who is eligible to receive Award Banquet tickets without charge?

Only one coach and the nine members of the team who actually attend the Awards Banquet will be provided tickets without charge. All other faculty members, students, alternate team members, parents or other community members are required to pay for their dinners.

10. May tickets for Decathlon Award Banquet be purchased “at the door” or on the day of the awards ceremonies?

No - We must make advance reservations for all meal functions. Therefore, deadlines for Award Banquet tickets must be strictly adhered to. Please understand that all reservations can only be accepted with checks, cash, school district purchase orders, or money orders. No refunds can be given.

Since reservations are made in advance (by deadline date given), no other tickets will be available for sale at the door. The banquet tickets for your regular team members (who participated in competition) and one coach will be distributed after team registration on competition day. The distribution time for all banquet tickets will be announced on competition day.

11. Who is eligible to receive a Student/Board Feedback Luncheon ticket?

Only one student from each team is allowed to participate in the Feedback Luncheon. We have limited time to give each team representative an opportunity to speak; therefore, only one person from each team will be allowed a ticket. No other tickets may be purchased by additional team members. Team members are urged to have the student who will best represent the team’s questions and comments attend this luncheon.