Apply

Applications for the 2025-2026 season will begin in the fall. Access the tryouts study guide here!


Tryouts

Tryouts will consist of the following components:

Diagnostic Testing
  • You will choose 2 out of the 4 subject tests to attempt, each divided by events:
    • Biology
      • Anatomy and Physiology
      • Designer Genes
      • Disease Detectives
      • Entomology
      • Water Quality
    • Chemistry
      • Chem Lab
      • Forensics
      • Material Science
    • Earth & Space Science
      • Astronomy
      • Dynamic Planet
      • Remote Sensing
      • Rocks and Minerals
    • Physics & Math
      • Circuit Lab
      • Codebusters
      • Machines
  • Each test will have 60 multiple-choice questions and should take 50 minutes to complete
  • Pure build events and Engineering CAD will not be tested
  • Check the 2026 National Tournament event conflicts to make sure that the events you are interested in won’t overlap
Essay Writing
  • Long-answer questions
  • Designed to test your ability to communicate, collaborate, think outside the box, and persevere
  • Not intended to be prepared for, we are interested in learning about your character
Experimental Design Challenge
  • A team-based challenge designed to assess your ability to work as part of a team
  • Not intended to be prepared for, we are interested in your ability to collaborate
Build Supplement (optional)
  • An optional individual engineering challenge, highly-recommended for applicants interested in build events
  • More information coming soon

Tentative Dates