Twelve years ago Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl offered a nationwide online contest to states with 7th/8th grade state contests (California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin). Teachers from other states wanted to participate so we included other state teams. Last year 123 teams from 15 states took the America Answers Challenge! National comparisons are not possible with the state/region contests due to slightly different tests and the very wide range of testing dates for the various states. But with the same exact test and identical test date window, national comparisons are valid. The integrity of the contest is even higher with the Internet version since it can only be taken once and the score is automatically recorded so you do not even need to phone in your results. You must be able to take the contest online. This Internet version works on both WIN and MAC formats. After the contest, an unlocking password will be sent to takers so they will be available for use the online contest as practice next year. To try to accommodate as many schedules as possible, we are offering the contest with a two-week window of opportunity. Take the contest any time between April 7th and April 18th. It’s still 100 great questions in the same Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl multiple choice format, only you access it through the Internet. Results will be posted on our website April 21nd. Trophies and ribbons will be awarded to the top teams in both 7th grade and 8th grade pools. You must decide before ordering what grade level your team(s) is and order accordingly. Please Note: For each team you want to participate, you need to purchase an entry. Your state contest could be your elimination round to get a championship team. You must decide before ordering what grade level your team(s) is and order accordingly. Both grade levels take the same test, so a student may not be on more than one team. Teams will be entered in the division based on the highest grade level of team members but can be of mixed grade levels. You do not need to take our regular contest to enter. You can enter either your state/region contest or the nationwide Internet contest or both. Practice contests from previous years are available online and may be ordered on either entry form. Practice contests may be taken over and over again online. So decide if you’d like to join our exciting contest and mail in your entry. We still feel computer quiz bowls offer one of the best inexpensive activities for kids where learning is fun. After April 1st you will be sent: a website, a team name, a password, and complete directions. On Contest Day... During the contest window (April 7 - April 18) it couldn't be easier! On the day you choose to do the quiz, log on the website, enter your team name and password. Team members have two chances to correctly answer each question. If the correct answer is given the first time, 10 points are awarded and up to five bonus points can be earned, depending on how quickly the question was answered. Only 5 points are given for correct answers on the second try. Remember there is to be no adult help and no outside resources such as calculators or charts. If you quit or lose web access, you will begin where you stopped so it can be done in two days or finished after a fire drill. When the team has completed the contest, the computer displays the total number of points earned and the results are automatically recorded to Thinking Cap. You do not need to phone in you results. Teams with exceedingly high scores may be contacted. Please note the contest dates on your calendar. If you don’t have your contest password three school days before you wish to take it, contact Thinking Cap. Due to our product’s time sensitive nature, no refunds, will be given after the contest date. The final results will be listed on the Internet after noon on April 21st. Trophies and ribbons will be awarded to the top finishers in each division (the number will depend on the number of entries in each division). To enter, simply complete, detach, and mail the entry form below by April 1st. The entry fee is $35.00 per team.