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Study Guides

2022-2023 Competition Year Study Guides – Middle School and Elementary School Divisions

2022-2023 Competition Year Study Guides – Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions

Permanent Topical Study Guides – For All Age Divisions

Past Questions and Exams

Middle School and Elementary School Divisions – Primary Competitions

Middle School and Elementary School Divisions – Additional Competitions Offered at the National Championships

  • National Championship Exams Past Questions
    These are multiple-choice exams offered at the National Championships in a variety of subjects each year)
  • National History Bowl Past Questions
    The National History Bowl is a team-based event which at the middle and elementary school level for the 2022-23 academic year is only being contested at the National Championships.
  • National Humanities Bee Past Questions
    The National Humanities Bee is not being offered at the 2023 National Championships. It will return for the 2024 National Championships.
  • US Geography Championships Past National Championships Exams
    The US Geography Championships is an exam-based analytical geography competition which is offered at the National Championships. It is open to any student who has qualified for Nationals in the International Geography Bee.
  • US Academic Bee and Bowl Past Questions
    The US Academic Bee is an all-subject competition which is open to any student who has qualified for the National Championships in either the International Geography Bee, National History Bee, or National Science Bee. The US Academic Bowl is not being offered during the 2022-2023 academic year. It will return in 2023-2024.
  • US History Bee Past Questions
    The US History Bee is an all-American history event offered at the National Championships. It is a separate competition from the National History Bee, and at the Middle and Elementary School level, it is open to any student who is competing in the National History Bee National Championships. There are no Middle and Elementary School level questions prior to 2020.

Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions

Note: the Varsity Division is for 11th and 12th graders; the Junior Varsity Division is for students in 10th grade and younger. Middle School and Elementary School-aged students are welcome and encouraged to compete in Junior Varsity level tournaments for additional chances to compete.
At the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels, students take National Qualifying Exams for the International Geography Bee, National Political Science Bee, National Science Bee, US Geography Championships, and the US History Bee. The same exam and qualification thresholds are used for both the International Geography Bee and US Geography Bee. All four Varsity / JV National Qualifying Exams are offered during the lunch break of Varsity & JV level National History Bee and Bowl Regional Tournaments or students can take them online by registering here for Geography, here for US History, here for Political Science, and here for Science.

Rules, Scoresheets, and Question Distribution

Middle School and Elementary Division Official Rules

Individual Competitions (Bees):

Team Competitions (Bowls):

For All Competitions:

Varsity and Junior Varsity Division Official Rules

National History Bowl:

Individual Competitions (Bees):

For All Competitions:

Scoresheets

Question Distribution

Buzzer Systems

One of the more frequent questions we are asked by teachers, parents, coaches, and students is how to order a buzzer system. We strongly recommend having a buzzer system not only because it makes practice more fun and better resemble tournament play. Teams competing at National History Bowl Regional Tournaments also receive a $10 discount per buzzer system they bring to each regional tournament.

While there are many buzzer systems on the market available for purchase, International Academic Competitions always recommends the 10-person table-top Officiator Model available from www.andersonbuzzersystems.com. This system, which costs $290 (this is for the complete system but does not include a carrying case), has many advantages including its price, durability, ease of setup, reliable servicing, and lack of many parts. Or, you can order a complete system with a carrying bag for $305. IAC itself owns upwards of 250 10-person Tabletop Officiator Models, and we take them all over the world in our suitcases. While it doesn’t resemble a classic quiz show buzzer as much as the hand-held buttons option, the hand-held option takes much longer to set up and needs more frequent repairs. Also, be sure to order the 10-person model! Any system that does not include at least 8 separate functioning buzzers will not be considered eligible for discounts, and does not accurately simulate tournament play during practice. Please note, however, that IAC does accept buzzers made by other manufacturers for discounts as long as they have 8 separate functioning buzzers and it can be clearly distinguished as to which student rang in (and not just which team).