UIL Events

Math Events

Mathematics  |  This contest includes problems covering but not limited to: numeration systems, arithmetic operations involving whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, exponents, order of operations, probability, statistics, number theory, simple interest, measurements and conversions. Geometry and algebra problems may be included as appropriate for the grade level. The contest consists of 50 multiple choice problems.

Number Sense  |  Concepts covered include but are not limited to: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, proportions, and use of mathematical notation. Students will be given a 10-minute, fill-in-the-blank test which they must complete without doing calculations on paper or on a calculator.

Calculator Apps  |  The calculator applications contest is designed to stimulate the development of mathematical and calculator skills for students.  For the competition, students will take a test containing 80 problems in 30 minutes and are permitted to use a calculator.

Social Studies Events

Social Studies  |  Students have 30 minutes to take a 40 question test based on the TEKS for social studies. The test content is taken from state adopted text books and identified primary sources

Maps, Charts, and Graphs  |  The maps, graphs & charts contest is designed to help students learn to get information from a variety of maps, graphs and charts including world maps, pie charts, bar charts and local area maps. Students will be given an objective test containing approximately 75 multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions which must be answered in 45 minutes.

Language Arts and Writing Events

Dictionary Skills  |  Thorough knowledge of the dictionary is a way to increase a student's ability to find the information that is needed for classwork as well as everyday living. Each Dictionary Skills test consists of 40 objective and short answer questions to be completed in 20 minutes.

Editorial Writing |  The Editorial Writing Contest is designed to develop the persuasive writing skills of the participants. Students must advocate a specific point-of-view in response to a prompt. Students have 45 minutes in which to complete their editorials.

Ready Writing |  This contest helps students to learn to write clearly and correctly a paper that is interesting and original. Contestants are given a choice between two prompts which defines the audience, and provides the purpose for writing. There is no minimum or maximum number of words the contestants must write.

Listening |  The listening contest is designed to help students recognize the importance of effective listening skills and to identify problems they may have in listening effectively. Contestants will listen to a script ranging from seven to ten minutes in length, take notes as needed, and use their notes to answer 25 multiple choice, true/false and short answer test questions.

Spelling | The spelling contest is designed to give students exposure to a wide variety of vocabulary words. Students will write down words given by the pronouncer on their paper at a rate of approximately five words per minute. Grade 6: 80 words; tiebreaker, 20 words.  Grades 7 and 8: 110 words; tiebreaker, 30 words. The tiebreaker is given to all contestants immediately following the initial test. Tests will be fully compatible with the Merriam Webster's Intermediate Dictionary 2004 and subsequent editions.

​Chess Puzzles |  Chess puzzle competition is very different from tournament chess play. Contestants in a chess puzzle contest receive a paper-and-pencil test that includes a series of chess boards with pieces in particular positions. The contestant must then determine the fewest moves to checkmate given that particular board layout. Time is also a factor - contestants are scored based on the most puzzles solved in the least amount of time.

Public Speaking Events

​

Modern Oratory  |  In Modern Oratory, the contestants will select one of the topics, determine the critical issues in the topic, and acknowledge both pro and con points citing support discovered in their research. Students will choose a side they will defend and support that side with additional evidence. Students will deliver a three to six minute speech without the use of notes on their topic.

Impromptu Speaking |  Contestants will draw three topics and have three minutes to prepare a speech, which must be presented without any notes. 

​

Oral Reading |  Students read a selection of poetry (6th grade) or prose (7th and 8th grade). Each selection may be one poem, a cutting of a poem, or a combination of poems. The maximum time for each presentation is six minutes.

Fine Arts

​

Music Memory |  The focus of the Music Memory contest is an in-depth study of fine pieces of music literature taken from a wide spectrum of music genres to expose students to great composers, their lives and their music. Students will listen to approximately 20 seconds of up to 20 musical selections and identify the name of the major work, selection and the name of the composer.

Art |  Working with the Art coach, students create and submit pieces in various mediums to be judged at the UIL District competition. (Note that we run a gallery-style judged show, rather than the Art contest listed on the A+ website. UIL Art entries are created outside of spring semester Club Time, and UIL Art is not offered during Club Time. Please contact Ms. Garcia, the UIL Art Coach, if you are interested in participating in UIL Art.)

Science

​

Science |  Emphasis for the Science contest will be placed on knowledge of scientific fact, understanding of scientific principles and the ability to think through scientific problems. Each test will consist of approximately 35 multiple choice questions which will be taken from current state-adopted science textbooks and the curriculum.

​