What is Academic Challenge?
The Academic Challenge is a competitive series of tests created by a Test Production Team of academic experts and previously administered by the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) program in the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Academic Challenge began in 1975 at John A. Logan College, offering challenging annual exams to high school students in Illinois and Missouri for local, regional, and statewide competition.
The test material is drawn from high school senior and college freshman curricula to present a bridge between secondary and higher education. Tests are written by teams of faculty members at colleges and universities all across the United States. Each team produces sets of tests that increase in level of difficulty in a progression from regional, to sectional, to state finals.
The test material is drawn from high school senior and college freshman curricula to present a bridge between secondary and higher education. Tests are written by teams of faculty members at colleges and universities all across the United States. Each team produces sets of tests that increase in level of difficulty in a progression from regional, to sectional, to state finals.
Time Commitment
Regionals - February (TBA)
Sectionals - March (TBA)
State - April (TBA)
Practice is on your own via practice tests (the password is Einstein) or in small groups (optional) based off of the following content areas:
Sectionals - March (TBA)
State - April (TBA)
Practice is on your own via practice tests (the password is Einstein) or in small groups (optional) based off of the following content areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Math
- Computer Science
- Engineering Graphics
- English
Password: Einstein
How Does it Work?
The tests are designed to present a challenge to the brightest high school students, and are presented in multiple-choice format. Students have 40 minutes to complete tests that range in length from 30 questions (computer science & math) to 80 questions (English).
- Teams consists of 7 - 14 members.
- Each member will choose which two tests they'll take at Regionals.
- The top 2 finishers at the Regional will qualify for the Sectional.
- You are each shooting for a cut score that will qualify you for State. (We are in the 1500 Division!)