The United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) is a team-based academic competition for high school students. It emphasizes academic excellence across a wide range of subjects. Here are some key features of the competition:
1. Team Composition: Each team typically consists of nine students, categorized into three groups based on their grade point averages: Honor (A), Scholastic (B), and Varsity (C).
2. Curriculum:
The competition covers ten categories: Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, and Speech. Each year, these subjects are integrated into a central theme, such as "The Cold War" or "The 1960s."
3. Testing and Performance: Students are tested in multiple-choice exams, essays, and performances. They also participate in interviews and deliver speeches as part of the competition.
4. Scoring: The competition is scored with an emphasis on academic tests and performances, rewarding in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to think critically under pressure.
5. Levels of Competition:
USAD features local, state, and national levels of competition, culminating in the national finals where teams from across the country compete for top honors.
The Academic Decathlon provides students with an opportunity to excel academically, develop teamwork skills, and gain recognition for their intellectual accomplishments.