UIL Academic Competition 4 Categories of Events. Coaches and practice dates and times will be announced soon. Lyn White, CMS UIL Coordinator lyn.white@comalisd.org

CATEGORY 1 Ready Writing – Students will have 1 ½ hours to write an essay on one of two given topics. Judges grade on interest (50%), organization (35%) and correctness of style (15%). Good writers – this is your event!

CATEGORY 1 Science – The competition is a 45-minute, 35-question test of the student’s knowledge of scientific fact, understanding of scientific principles, and the ability to think through scientific problems. If you love science, this is for you.

CATEGORY 1 Maps, Graphs, and Charts You will use an atlas to answer a 30-minute 50+- question test made up of multiple choice, true/false, and fill in the blank questions. Some questions will be about pie charts and bar graphs. If you like using an atlas or reading graphs, this is your event.

CATEGORY 1 Oral Reading – You will have 6 minutes to read a piece of prose (not a story) aloud. The goal is to read it in an expressive way. Your body language, gestures, and facial expressions reinforce the message of the piece of literature being read. If you like to perform, this is your event.

CATEGORY 2 Calculator – The test is 30-minutes, 80-problems, fill-in-the- blanks. You will use math skills, reasoning, and a calculator to solve realistic problems. If you like using a calculator, you’ll like this event.

CATEGORY 2 Spelling The test consists of 60 words, 50 from the spelling brochure that you’ll have to study and 10 from other sources. As the words are called out by the adult, students will attempt to spell each word correctly. In the event of a tie, the last 10 words will be scored to determine a winner. Natural spellers and good studiers will do well!

CATEGORY 2 Modern Oratory – Students will prepare a speech ahead of time on a topic selected from a list of approved topics. In the speech, the student must present both the pros and cons of the topic and cite sources where they found the information on the topic. This is for those who like to be heard!.

CATEGORY 3 Math – This is a 30-minute, 50-question, multiple-choice test using basic mathematic skills as used in everyday life. Practice will make perfect for you math whizzes!

CATEGORY 3 Impromptu Speaking – Students will be given a choice of different topics and will have 3 minutes to prepare a speech that is less than five minutes in length. If you are good at thinking on your feet, this is the event for you.

CATEGORY 3 Listening Skills – Students will listen to a story that is approximately 7 minutes long and then answer 25 questions from the story. Students will be allowed to jot down notes on scratch paper. You will do well if you can remember details easily or take good notes.

CATEGORY 4 Number Sense The competition is a 10-minute, fill-in-the-blank test in which the students do mathematical operations in their head to find answers to problems. Students will not be able to show any work. The coach will teach you a lot of secret math tips and tricks.

CATEGORY 4 Dictionary Skills – The competition is a 20-minute, 40-question, short- answer test in which students use a dictionary to look up various information such as a word’s origin, pronunciation, part of speech, and of course, definitions. If you are good with a dictionary, or want to get better, try this out!

CATEGORY 4 Social Studies – The competition is a 30-minute, 40-question test of the student’s knowledge in the areas of history, government systems, economies, citizenship and culture. Made just for you history buffs.

Get your friends and join the UIL team! Meet new people Have fun---play games Eat  Show ‘em what you got!