USAD

2025 USAD Nationals Teams Participating in Des Moines, IA: Please follow this registration process.

Coaches: Complete steps 1–6 to register and finalize your team’s participation in the 2025 USAD Nationals.
Print a 2025 Nationals Checklist.

Step 1: Read the Welcome Letter for specific information on registration, fees, testing dates, paperwork deadlines, etc.

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Step 2: Complete the 2025 USAD Nationals Team Registration Form with all applicable information.

Due: 3 days (72 hours) after completion of the state competition

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Step 3: Complete your team roster using this Excel spreadsheet and email to nationals@usad.org. Please note there are two tabs to complete. This spreadsheet includes the name pronunciation form.

Due: 3 days (72 hours) after completion of the state competition

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Step 4: Student Paperwork and Team Registration Fee

All forms MUST be completed and uploaded to the teams designated Google folder. Coaches will be added to their folder after completion of step 3.

Due: March 19.

The registration fee and forms with an asterisk are required for all teams. Please compile forms for each student in the order requested below.

$750 Team Registration Fee payable to USAD*

Student Transcripts*

GPA Calculations*

Student Registration & Parent Permission Form* (Required: Read the Student Code of Conduct/Dress Code)

Calculator Use Form* (Required: Read the USAD Calculator Policy)

Modifications & Accommodations Form

Roberts/Caperton Inspiration Award Nomination Form

Payment Information: If you would like to pay your participation fee via credit card, you can go to the online store here. If your school requires an invoice for payment click here.

Due: March 19.

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Step 5: Online Proctor Security Affidavit Form

Have your online testing proctor complete the USAD Online Proctor Security Affidavit Form for the online portion of the National Competition and uploaded to designated Google folder.
Due: March 19

Please refer to the 2025 Nationals - Online Events Testing Schedule and the National Online Technical Information on the 2025 USAD Nationals Helpful Information webpage prior to practice for the online essay and art online events.
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Step 6: Hotel Accommodations

Reserve rooms at the host hotel (required):

Hilton Des Moines Downtown - SOLD OUT

Des Moines Marriott Downtown - SOLD OUT

Downtown Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines West - 15-minute drive from the Iowa Events Center

Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines Airport

Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown - SOLD OUT

Home2 Suites Des Moines at Drake University - 6-minute drive from the Iowa Events Center

Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown - Rooms still available Thurs.– Sat.

Please refer to the Helpful Information page for additional Nationals details. If you have a question or need assistance, please contact us at nationals@usad.org.

2025 USAD Online Nationals: Please follow this registration process.

Coaches: Complete steps 1–5 to register and finalize your team’s participation in the 2025 USAD Online Nationals.
2025 Nationals Checklist (PDF).

Step 1: Read the Welcome Letter for specific information on registration, fees, testing dates, paperwork deadlines, etc.

__________________________________________________________________________

Step 2: Complete the 2025 USAD Nationals Online Team Registration Form with all applicable information.

Due: 3 days (72 hours) after completion of the state competition

__________________________________________________________________________

Due: 3 days (72 hours) after completion of the state competition

__________________________________________________________________________

Step 4: Student Paperwork and Team Registration Fee

All forms MUST be completed and uploaded to the team's designated Google folder. Coaches will be added to their folder after completion of step 3.

Due: March 19.

The registration fee and forms with an asterisk are required for all teams. Please compile forms for each student in the order requested below.

$350 Team Registration Fee payable to USAD*

Student Transcripts*

GPA Calculations*

Student Registration & Parent Permission Form* (Required: Read the Student Code of Conduct/Dress Code)

Calculator Use Form* (Required: Read the USAD Calculator Policy)

Modifications & Accommodations Form

Payment Information: If you would like to pay your participation fee via credit card, you can go to the online store here. If your school requires an invoice for payment click here.

Due: March 19.

__________________________________________________________________________

Step 5: Online Proctor Security Affidavit Form

Have your online testing proctor complete the USAD Online Proctor Security Affidavit Form and email to nationals@usad.org.
Due: March 19

Please refer to the 2025 Nationals Online Testing Schedule and the National Online Technical Information on the 2025 USAD Nationals Helpful Information webpage prior to practice for the online essay and art online events.

Please refer to the Helpful Information page for additional Nationals details. If you have a question or need assistance, please contact us at nationals@usad.org.

Students must meet the eligibility requirements listed below for consideration in the USAD Individual Nationals in Des Moines.

Interested in a Chance for an Invitation to the USAD National Competition in Des Moines?

Please visit https://usadic.org/nationals-2025 for participation information.

Students who are not selected to attend the Nationals in Des Moines can still participate in the USAD Individual Competition Online Round IV – Nationals.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must register for the USAD Individual Competition.

Students must not be competing team members from any state teams selected for Nationals in Des Moines.

Students must not be competing team members from a team that qualifies to compete in the USAD Online Large, Medium and/or Small Nationals.

Students interested in the opportunity to be invited to Nationals in Des Moines must have a state score from their state competition or round III of the Individual Competition.

Students who participated in their state competition will submit their objective score.

Students who do not have a state score must register by March 14th for Round III of the Individual Competition. If your state competition is after March 14, 2025, please register within 72 hours of your state competition.

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Individuals Who Receive an Official Invitation to the USAD Onsite Nationals Competition in Des Moines, IA

Registration (***Only register if you have received an invitation to the in-person 2025 USAD Nationals and have accepted the invitation***)

Complete steps 1–5 to register and finalize your participation in the 2025 USAD Nationals.

Print a registration checklist (PDF).

Step 1: Read the Welcome Letter for specific information on registration, fees, testing dates, paperwork deadlines, etc.

Step 2: Complete the 2025 USAD Nationals Individual Registration Form with all applicable information.
Due: April 4

Step 3: Student Paperwork Registration Fee
All forms MUST be completed and uploaded to the individuals designated Google folder. Students will be added to their folder after completion of step 2.

Due: April 4

The registration fee and forms with an asterisk are required for all individuals. Please compile forms for each student in the order requested below.

$250 Registration Fee payable to USAD*

Student Transcripts*

GPA Calculations*

Student Registration& Parent Permission Form* (Required: Read the Student Code of Conduct/Dress Code)

Calculator Use Form* (Required: Read the USAD Calculator Policy)

Modifications & Accommodations Form

Payment Information: If you would like to pay your participation fee via credit card, please navigate to this link Store. If your school requires an invoice for payment click here.

Due: April 4

Step 4: Online Proctor Security Affidavit Form
Have your online testing proctor complete the USAD Online Proctor Security Affidavit Form for the online portion of the National Competition and uploaded to designated Google folder.
Due: April 4

Please refer to the 2025 USAD Nationals Testing Schedule and the National Online Technical Information prior to the practice for the online essay, art, music and literature events.

Step 5: Hotel Accommodations
Reserve rooms at the host hotel (required):

Hilton Des Moines Downtown - SOLD OUT

Des Moines Marriott Downtown - SOLD OUT

Downtown Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines West - 15-minute drive from the Iowa Events Center

Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines Airport

Home2 Suites by Hilton DSM Airport

Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown - SOLD OUT

Home2 Suites Des Moines at Drake University - 6-minute drive from the Iowa Events Center

Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown - Rooms still available Thurs.– Sat.

Please refer to the Helpful Information page for additional Nationals details. If you have a question or need assistance, please contact us at nationals@usad.org.

General Information

2025 USAD Nationals Handbook

2025 USAD Nationals Detailed Schedule

2025 Nationals - Online Events Testing Schedule

Extras Form (please complete for additional coaches, parents and other guests)

General Rules

Online Competition Description

Nationals Divisions and State Scores (IA Nationals Teams)

Nationals Divisions and State Scores (Online Nationals Teams)

Nationals In-Person Registration Fee Invoice

Nationals Clothing

Twin Teams List

Nationals Team ID's

Visit Des Moines Visitor Guide

Convention Center Floor Plans

Downtown Des Monies Map

Parking Map

Parking Voucher

Testing and Awards Information:

About the Clicker

Arena Testing Clicker Tutorial

Arena Seating Chart

USAD Nationals Awards Program

Awards Ceremony Live Stream Link

Awards Distribution

USAD Nationals Divisions Description

USAD Online Student Security Affidavit Form

Modifications & Accommodations Form

Test Time & Question Totals

Explanation of scoring

Online and Objective Testing:

Appeals Procedure

Arena Seating Chart

Most Valuable Team Member Rubric (online Objective testing)

Speech and Interview:

Interview Format

Interview Schedule

Speech Format

Speech Schedule

Speech Rooms

Super Quiz™:

Super Quiz Format

Super Quiz Live Stream Link

Super Quiz Table Chart

*Information will be added when available.

2025 USAD Nationals Volunteers

Please complete the Volunteer Form to indicate your availability to be a Nationals Interview Judge ONLINE on April 17, 2025. Details and directions will be sent to you.

Please complete the Volunteer Form to indicate your availability to be a Nationals Speech Judge on May 1, 2025, in Des Moines, IA. Details and directions will be sent to you.

The 2025 United States Academic Decathlon Nationals will take place May 1-3 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. More than 500 students from the United States will compete. Approximately 200 volunteers are needed for this extraordinary event. This academic competition would not be possible without the involvement of community members serving as proctors, judges, and various other roles. Training and a meal are provided for all volunteer positions. Volunteer here.

Thank you for volunteering to assist at the 2025 USAD Nationals!

View the 2025 USAD Nationals Schedule.

Des Moines Civic and Convention Center competition floor plans

Speech Judge:

2025 Speech schedules

2025 Speech rooms/location

2025 Speech format

Speech guidelines

Speech judging – time outline

Speech training PowerPoint

Speech head judge instructions

Speech head judge script