Super Quiz Written - 600 Points

The Super Quiz topic is based on the overall theme each year. The USAD Resource Guide provides a comprehensive collection of articles and speeches by various experts covering the breadth of the subject. The Resource Guide is the only source that is needed for Super Quiz preparation, and conversely, it would be impossible to compete in Super Quiz without reading the Resource Guide.

The Super Quiz test is given in two parts: a written 40 item multiple choice test in which each question is worth 15 points and an oral relay in which each team member answers five questions worth 80 points each. The oral relay is held before an audience and each student has time in the spotlight to answer five questions raising a hand when they get the correct answer. Most experienced Decathlon teams know it is important to know the Super Quiz materials in order to win the Super Quiz combined event.

Super Quiz Relay - 400 Points

Contestants are seated as a separate group before the competition begins. The seating arrangement for the competitors in single chair rows as follows:

Varsity         V-7                   

Varsity         V-8                   

Varsity         V-9                   

Scholastic     S-4

Scholastic     S-5

Scholastic     S-6

Honors          H-1

Honors          H-2

Honors          H-3

Students from each school are assigned to the above seating arrangements in rows clearly marked with the team name. The purpose of the above seating arrangement is so only one student from each team is at the answer table at a time. If a team with fewer than nine members is competing, the students should leave a chair empty rather than filling in each seat in the row and only move up when their number is competing.

Coaches and the general public are seated separately from the contestants. Audience Participation Answer Sheets may be provided to the audience. No alternates are allowed to compete in the oral competition but may mark their answer sheets as though they were competing checking their own answers for correctness.

Proctors will be assigned to confirm students are properly seated. No materials may be brought into the area: all supplies will be provided.

Preliminary and/or welcoming remarks are given by the emcee, contest officials, etc. Proctors are asked to take their assigned places on the competition floor. The emcee then explains the procedures and rules to the participants and the audience.

The emcee calls up one row of contestants, (i.e., “Students in Row 1, Varsity 7”). After students are settled and proctors have verified contestant numbers, the emcee begins the competition.

A question is shown on the projection screen while the emcee reads the question. All questions are multiple choice. The students are given 7 seconds to mark their answer sheets, after the question and answer choices have been read. The emcee announces the time is up; at this point, the student’s pencil must be down until the answer sheet is scored. The answer is then read by the emcee. Proctors monitor the students while they are marking their answer sheets, score the answer sheets and indicate correct response by instructing the students to raise a hand.

After this group of students (Varsity-7) has answered five questions, the student returns to the end of the team row and all students in the row rotate forward one seat. After all students have completed the oral event, the students should be back in the original order as when they started.

If an answer, right or wrong, is called out by the audience and is heard by the emcee, the question will be eliminated and the total value of the Super Quiz relay will be reduced by 80 points for each voided question.

If a student wishes to contest an answer, the team COACH should submit the appeal in writing to the State Director or the emcee immediately following the Super Quiz relay.