What is the Academic Decathlon?

The Academic Decathlon is designed to include students from all academic backgrounds. Each nine-member team consists of three A students, three B students and three C students. In addition to a seven-minute interview, a one-hour essay and two speeches (four minutes prepared and two minutes impromptu), written comprenshive exams are given in music, art, language/literature, mathematics, economics, (social) science, and the Super Quiz.

What is the Super Quiz?

The final event is the Super Quiz relay. All students assemble in a gymnasium setting as one student from each school reports to the floor to be tested. Five questions are asked of this group of students. Then, a second wave of students participate, then a third, and so on until nine rounds are completed (three A, three B, and three C rounds). As answers are given and scores change, the students get excited and cheer for all out academic effort.

Who Can Participate?

Competition is open to all public and private high schools in Texas.


Small School Division

In order for a school to compete in this division, it is considered either a 3A, 2A or 1A? school and has 345 students or less

Medium School Division

In order for a school to compete in this division, it is considered a 4A school and has between 900-1900 students

Large School Division

In order for a school to compete in this division, it is considered a 5A school and has 1910 students and above.

How to participate

Competition is open to all public and private high schools in Texas. Fifteen region meets will be held througout the state with winners advancing to the state meets. Three division (according to University Interscholastic League (UIL) enrollment in high school) will compete in large, medium, or small school state competition.

The necessary forms are located in our Forms section of this site.