Frequently Asked Questions
How do you sign up for the competition?
Individual students can register online, or a teacher or administrator can register one or more teams at the same time. If you have any questions, e-mail contact@scholarscup.org.
Is everything you need to know in the curriculum guides?
Not quite. In each subject, certain topics are “directed research areas” which teams are asked to explore on their own, often at libraries or online. For example, for this year’s History area, competitors research “the aftermath of empires” in places like the former Soviet Bloc and the Eastern Roman Empire.
How do participants access the curriculum guides?
All registered competitors receive access to the curriculum guides online. The required films and novels are available through Amazon and other channels.
Does it cost anything to join the competition?
No. It costs nothing to join the World Scholar's Cup; all students who join receive free access to the entire World Scholar's Cup curriculum. There is a minimal participation fee for each competition attended, which varies by country, and which can be paid later in the year.
How does the World Scholar's Cup compare to other academic competitions?
The World Scholar's Cup has a comprehensive, thematic curriculum that changes from year to year, and requires students work together as teams to learn multiple skills and subjects. It stresses research, collaboration and critical reasoning--all important in college and beyond.
Do teams need coaches?
Some teams recruit a teacher or administrator to be their coach or advisor; this is especially the case when there are multiple teams from a single school, in which case they may meet as a class or club. Other teams are entirely self-directed, though one or more chaperones usually accompany them to competition.
How are teams assembled? How do they qualify for the World Finals?
Students work in teams of three (usually self-selected) and participate in national and consolidated regional competitions between January and the end of April. The top third of the teams in each country at each level (middle and high school) receive invitations to the international competition at the beginning of June (after APs and IBs).
How important is the team element in Scholar’s Cup?
Teamwork is essential. Two of the four events are team-based: the Debate and the Scholar’s Quiz. Also, one of the most important aspects of thScholar’s Cup is the opportunity to learn in a supportive team environment, a welcome contrast to the isolation and frustration often found in high-stakes exam preparation.
Is the World Scholar’s Cup too much work for students who are already busy?
No. We understand how busy students around the world can be with classes and existing activities and have designed the competition accordingly. Students are not expected to become experts in every subject, but to do their best work possible as a team. Teams should find one to three months sufficient preparation time, though the curriculum also lends itself to prolonged research and study.
What is the competition timeline?
Regional and national competitions are held in the winter and spring based on the schedules of participating schools in each country, and the World Finals (in 2009) will be June 13-14, 2009 at Nanyang Girls High School in Singapore. Schools from new countries are welcome to join anytime before the World Finals, receiving an invitational berth.
For whom is the competition?
Both middle school and high school students participate in the World Scholar's Cup. No special background is required. Younger students take part in a slightly simplified form of the competition (with condensed curriculum outlines and no economics) that runs simultaneously with the high school version.
Who is already participating?
The 2008-2009 season already includes teams from Taiwan, Colombia, South Korea, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, India, China, Cambodia and Singapore. We hope you’ll join us as well.