Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
How do I register?
Submit a completed School Registration form. It must be returned to the Montecito Union School, along with the registration fee in the form of a check by mail or delivered in person. Although we anticipate being able to accommodate all interested schools, it is in each school’s best interest to return the School Registration Form as soon as possible to assure a place in the event. Payment and school registration form is due no later than April 1, 2024. Please make check payable to Montecito Union School. Registration Packet
When do I submit names? How?
Submit student names through a shared google form by 5/11/24.
Do I have to have all 3 grade levels participate?
No. Schools in the past have sent only 1 or 2 grade levels.
Do I have to have 4 students per grade level?
No. Although having 4 students is an advantage when taking the team test, schools may compete with less than 4.
What is the cost?
$250 per school. The cost goes towards the cost of renting Earl Warren Showgrounds, snacks, copies, awards,... This is an increase from previous years due to the increased cost of the venue.
What schools can participate?
All public and private schools from Carpinteria to Goleta. Students must attend the school they are competing with. Parents may not individually sign up their child to compete.
Can I send more than one team per grade level?
Due to space and management logistics, each school may only send four 4th graders, four 5th graders, and four 6th graders.
Can students participate in a higher grade level?
No. Students may only participate in the grade level that they are enrolled in school.
What should we use to practice?
The best practice materials are old tests. Be sure to save them from year to year. Link to sample tests.
How do we select our team?
Each school determines their own process for selecting their team.
Schedule and logistics
Can parents, teachers, and administrators attend and watch?
Parents, teachers, and administrators are invited to attend but must wait outside Warren Hall for the three tests. At about 11:45 everyone is invited in to observe the team building activity, the keynote, and the awards ceremony.
Can alternates attend?
We recommend that alternates do not attend. If alternates do attend, they must remain outside Warren Hall with the parents, teachers, and administrators until 11:45.
Can alternate participate?
No. Only 4 students per grade level can participate. The purpose of an alternate is to only attend if one of the 4 participants is unable to attend on the day of the event.
What is the schedule?
Students need to arrive at 8:20. The will take the 3 tests by 11:00. Awards start about 11:45 and conclude by 12:30.
What do we do when we arrive?
Students need to meet together as a school outside Warren Hall. Only one person, usually the coach or a teacher, needs to check in at the registration table.
Where is the competition?
Earl Warren Showgrounds
Warren Hall
3400 Calle Real,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
What to Bring
What type of calculator can we use?
Students are welcome to use any calculator that does not have internet access. Phones, tablets, and computers are not allowed.
What do students need to bring?
Calculators. Pencils, scratch paper, and erasers are provided.
Can we use graph paper, colored pencils, highlighters,...?
No. Students may only bring calculators. Nothing else for the competition.
Can students bring snacks?
Yes. Snacks are provided but students may bring their own, especially if there are specific dietary needs. There will be a snack break about 9:50.
Part I
How much time do we get?
25 minutes.
Do students get to use calculators?
No. Students must keep their calculators on the floor for this test.
How are answers recorded?
We will use an answer sheet that students bubble in. You may then use that answer sheet to practice on. We will also go over filling out the answer sheet before part 1. Here is a copy of the answer sheet.
Will there be “not given”? How many answer choices?
There will only be 4 answer choices, A-D. Each one will have a possible answer. “Not given” will not be on the test.
Are the questions in any specific order?
No, the questions are in random order.
Part II
How much time do we get?
30 minutes.
Do students get to use calculators?
Yes. Students may use any calculator that does not have internet access. Phones, tablets, and computers are not allowed.
How are answers recorded? Do students get partial credit?
Students write their answer on the provided answer sheet. Students do not need to write down the units. In most cases, the units are already written on the answer sheet. Students must get all parts of the problem correct to get credit. Students can not get partial credit.
Are the questions in any specific order?
Yes. On this test only, the questions are ordered from easiest to hardest. Although some students may disagree with the order of difficulty depended on individual strength, it is our attempt to order the questions from easiest to most difficult.
Part III
How much time do we get?
30 minutes.
Do students get to use calculators?
Yes. Students may use any calculator that does not have internet access. Phones, tablets, and computers are not allowed.
How are answers recorded? Do students get partial credit?
Students get one answer sheet per team. Students do not need to write down the units. In most cases, the units are already written on the answer sheet. Students must get all parts of the problem correct to get credit. Students can not get partial credit.
Are the questions in any specific order?
No. There is not an intended order to the questions other than the logic puzzle will be number 5.
How many copies of the test will the team get?
Each team will get 4 copies of the test and one copy of the answer sheet.
Awards
How many points for each section?
Part 1 questions are worth 1 point each for a total of 25 points.
Part 2 questions are worth 5 point each for a total of 25 points.
Part 3 questions are worth 20 point each for a total of 100 points.
How many students earn awards?
The individual awards will be for the top 6 individuals at 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. Scores are calculated by adding together the two individual tests (part 1 and park 2). Each test is worth 25 points for a total of 50 points.
Do only the top students find out their results?
We publicly announce only the top 6 for each grade level. At the conclusion of the event, we hand each school an envelope with all their graded student tests and blank copies of the test to use for practice for future years.
How do the grade level and school awards work?
Grade level awards will be for top 6 schools at 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. Scores are calculated by adding together the two individual tests (25+25) x 4 and the team test of 100 points.
School level awards will be for the top 6 schools. Scores are calculated by adding together the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade team scores.