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.
__________________________________________________________________________
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
__________________________________________________________________________
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
__________________________________________________________________________
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*
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.
________________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________
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
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
__________________________________________________________________________
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
__________________________________________________________________________
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.
______________________________________________
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*
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
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)
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
Twin Teams List
Visit Des Moines Visitor Guide
Convention Center Floor
Plans
Testing and Awards Information:
Arena Testing Clicker Tutorial
Arena Seating Chart
USAD Nationals Awards Program
Awards Ceremony Live Stream
Link
USAD Nationals Divisions Description
USAD Online Student Security Affidavit Form
Modifications & Accommodations Form
Online and Objective Testing:
Arena Seating Chart
Most Valuable Team Member Rubric (online Objective
testing)
Speech and Interview:
Interview Schedule
Speech Schedule
Speech Rooms
Super Quiz™:
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
Speech head judge instructions
Speech
Timer:
Speech/timer
schedules
Arena/Objective
Testing Proctor:
2025
Arena seating chart
Arena/objective
testing proctor orientation
Arena
testing clicker tutorial
Super
Quiz™ Testing Proctor:
2025
Super Quiz table chart
Super Quiz guidelines
Super Quiz clicker tutorial