Expert Overview

Academic WorldQuest, run by the World Affairs Councils of America since 2003, has four-student high school teams answer written questions on international affairs, geography, economics, and world cultures. Teams win a local council's contest to earn a place at the national competition in Washington, D.C.

Format

Individual, Team

Judging Format

Scoring based

Recognition

Opportunity

Grade Eligibility

Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Geographic Eligibility

U.S.

Discipline

Social ScienceCivicsInternational RelationsGeographyHistoryGlobal Economics

Entries

3,400

Percent Awarded

<1%

Important Dates

Regional deadlines vary (see website)

National Competition

April 12-13, 2027

Passed

Open

Approaching: < 1 mo.

Priority: < 2 weeks

Urgent: < 1 week

Registration Cost

Team Registration (4 students)

$40

Late fee

$25 per team member

About

Every question comes from an online study guide with ten topic categories, one per round. Local contests, held at more than 30 councils between December and March, ideally mirror the national format of ten rounds of ten questions answered in writing. Only the winning all-high-school team from each local contest advances.

Teams of four enroll through their local World Affairs Council, so access depends on whether a council near the school hosts a contest. The national competition is a two-day event in Washington with about 250 students, and its top three teams receive prizes. Local councils usually cover the winners' travel, and councils may charge small entry fees.

This is a good fit for a school with a teacher willing to coach. Roughly 3,000 students compete each year, and only local winners reach nationals.