Twelve is a knowledge- based academic competition that challenges teams of students to answer questions covering a variety of subject areas. The high school competition is based primarily on the core curriculum. The middle school competition in based on North Carolina with an emphasis on NC History. Twelve is an original competition developed by the North Carolina Assocation for Scholastic Activities (NCASA).

Twelve teams of twelve students each will tackle twelve topics with twelve questions each. Will your school be one of twelve to compete for the state championship of Twelve?

Participation

Twelve is a component of the NCASA Scholastic Cup. As an NCASA-hosted event, only NCASA Member Schools may participate in Twelve and earn Scholastic Cup Points.

Overview

Each Twelve Team is comprised of a group of students from a single school. Each school may send one Team to the competition. Twelve students from each Team will compete in twelve of the following topics:

Wildcard Topics (two in each competition)

• Computers & Information Technology
• Current Events
• Geography
• North Carolina
• Performing Arts
• Sports
• Television & Movies
• Visual Arts

Primary Topics (all ten in each competition)

• Algebra & Geometry
• Calculus & Trigonometry
• Civics & Economics
• Grammar & Composition
• Life Sciences
• Literature
• Physical Sciences
• US History
• Word Problems
• World History

Grouping Challenge

At the Kick-Off, the grouping of the ten Primary Topics and two Wildcard Topics is announced. Each Team has twelve minutes to assign three team members to each group before the first Round begins. An example of a Kick-Off topic grouping is shown below:

Sessions

Players from each Team are grouped together, with each group of Active Players competing in a different set of rounds. Inactive Players and Coaches remain in the back of the room while the Active Players compete. The groups compete during each Session as follows:

· Group A competes in Rounds 1, 5, and 9

· Group B competes in Rounds 2, 6, and 10

· Group C competes in Rounds 3, 7, and 11

· Group D competes in Rounds 4, 8, and 12

A short break will be taken after Round 6. During this break the cumulative score for each team will be calculated and posted.

Rounds

During each Round, twelve questions are read aloud and displayed on a large screen. Each team is challenged to process each question and record their answers quickly while listening to subsequent questions. Once all questions are read, the Active Players have a few minutes to collaborate and review their answers before responses are collected.

Scoring

Players' responses are graded during the as the competition progresses. Each correct answer is awarded one point, while an incorrect answer is awarded no points. A scoreboard is updated after each Round; Team standings are updated to reflect their total points earned.

Winners

The top two teams from the District competitions will advance to the State Tournament. In addition, the next six best teams will also advance to State.  At the State Tournament, the Team with the highest score will be declared the winner of the NCASA Twelve Competition.

Downloads

• Competition Rules
• NCASA Release Form
• Twelve Sample Set

A Dynamic Challenge

Twelve is a fast-paced competition that challenges Players and Coaches. Below are some key factors and challenges of Twelve:

• Suspense: Tension is generated before two unknowns are revealed at the Session Kick-Off: The Wildcard Topics and the Topic Groupings. This revelation generates excitement as Teams select Players to tackle the Topic Groupings.
• Multitasking: Questions in each Round are asked in succession, challenging the Players to note answers while subsequent questions are asked. The pace allows to process the questions and respond, but it is challenging enough to keep Players on their toes.
• Multimedia: Questions are presented using a variety of formats — including music, pictures, and videos.
• Engagement: Team scores and standings are updated after each Round throughout the Tournament. Round-by-Round updates keep Players excited and engaged.

Participant Feedback

The reactions of students, coaches, and volunteers who participated in NCASATwelve events have been positive. Below are a few reactions from students and coaches who participated in Twelve events last year.

"A few of the questions were pretty advanced, which is a good thing, since it forces people to go deeper into a subject."

-- Student

"I thought the questions were enjoyable and relevant to my schoolwork."

-- Student

"As someone who is used to traditional quiz bowl tournaments, [Twelve] far exceeded my expectations."

-- Student

"Questions had a nice spread of categories ... timing was good."

-- Coach

Visit the Twelve section of our site:

More Information

If you have any questions, or if you would like more information about the NCASA Twelve Competition, please contact:

Leon Pfeiffer
Executive Director
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (919) 771 - 9272