Schools can send any number of high school and middle school teams to a national or regionl competition. Up to ten teams from a school can qualify for the World Finals.

Competitions last one or two days, and include four events: a multiple choice test called the Scholar's Challenge, a document-based essay, a team debate, and a live-action Scholar's Quiz in which the members of each team work together to answer questions on stage.

At the World Finals and some national and regional finals, there is also a Debate Showcase in which the top six individual debaters from six different teams are formed into new teams and debate  a new resolution before an audience.

The 2009 World Finals will also include a demonstration problem solving event - the Scholar's Enigma - in which teams are presented with a unique challenge related to "The Fall of Empires" curriculum.

The Scholar’s Cup is designed so that only the highest two individual scores in each event count toward the team total. This means that a team of two can successfully compete, while lowering pressure on teams of three: one member can have an “off day” in any given event without hurting the team as a whole.  

Individual and teams win certificates in each event and subject area as well as trophies and medals for their overall achievements.