General FAQs

Do students have to be affiliated with a school in order to participate in the International Science Bee?

Students do not have to be affiliated with a school in order to participate in any of our competitions. All students are welcome to participate. We encourage students who attend a school to let their school know they are competing and to participate with other students and teachers from their school, but it is not required. Students do not [...]

2019-08-21T02:10:47-04:00September 1st, 2018|

What is the qualification process for the International Science Bee?

Varsity & Junior Varsity Divisions In the Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions, students qualify for the National Championships through the National Qualifying Exam. The National Qualifying Exam can be taken either at any National History Bee and Bowl Varsity / JV Regional or State Tournament site, or with a teacher / homeschool administrator / community volunteer acting as the [...]

2019-10-19T12:08:23-04:00September 1st, 2018|

What divisions are available in the International Science Bee?

As of the 2019-2020 academic year, the International Science Bee is divided into the following age divisions: Varsity - 11th and 12th Graders Junior Varsity - 10th Graders and Younger These two age divisions function similarly; i.e. they have only two stages: the National Qualifying Exam and the National Championships. Note that the JV Division is also open to [...]

2019-09-15T17:42:16-04:00September 1st, 2018|

May students participate in grade divisions other than their own?

Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions The Varsity Division is only for students in 11th and 12th grade; these students compete together against each other with the Varsity Division. The Junior Varsity Division is for all students in 10th grade and younger (including ambitious Middle School and Elementary School students!). Note that the JV questions are harder than the questions [...]

2019-09-16T01:09:37-04:00September 1st, 2018|

Are the questions the same in all divisions?

The Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions use the same questions. These are completely different question sets from those used in the Middle and Elementary School Divisions. Within the Middle and Elementary School Divisions, students in the 6th Grade and Elementary School divisions will get slightly modified versions of the questions offered in the 7th and 8th Grade divisions. However, [...]

2019-09-16T01:11:09-04:00September 1st, 2018|

Is there an age limit?

For the Varsity Division, students must be enrolled as a secondary school student in the 2019-2020 academic year (or taking homeschool coursework that is equivalent to this) and have not yet graduated high school by October 1, 2019. Only 11th and 12th grade students can compete in the Varsity Division. Only students in 10th grade and younger may compete [...]

2019-09-16T01:17:31-04:00September 1st, 2018|

Does my student need any prior experience prior to competing?

No prior experience is required, and we encourage all students to give it a try! We recommend that you do take a look at our rules here and review the past questions available on our Practice Resources page to make sure your student understands the format and the type of questions they will be asked so they are as prepared [...]

2019-09-16T01:17:59-04:00September 1st, 2018|

Do we need to bring buzzers, volunteers, or anything else with us to the Regional Finals or National Championships??

Nothing is required. If someone is interested in moderating at a Middle and Elementary School Regional Final, please contact the tournament director whose email is attached to that particular Regional Final, and they will determine if you are qualified and if additional help is needed. If your student is taking the Geography qualifying exam at a Regional Final, they [...]

2019-09-16T01:19:09-04:00September 1st, 2018|

What is the registration deadline for the Regional Finals?

Within the Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions, for the National Qualifying Exams that are given at Varsity and JV National History Bee and Bowl Regional and State Tournament sites, there is no registration deadline (i.e. students are welcome to show up by the appointed hour of the exam (to find these, click on the corresponding tournament site on the [...]

2019-09-16T01:22:08-04:00September 1st, 2018|