Frequently Asked Questions

When does the News Brain Challenge take place?
The News Brain Challenge is a test taken in your school on a day of your choice at the end of the month.

How is the News Brain Challenge administered?
The News Brain Challenge is administered by computer in the individual schools, at www.newsbowl.com

How many students make up a team?
A team is made up of 1-5 students. Each team selects a keyboard captain to enter answers.

How many teams can take the News Brain Challenge test each month?
The teacher signs up their entire classroom, therefore; the teacher may have as many teams as desired take the News Brain Challenge test. Each team score will be automatically stored on the News Bowl server. Following each testing, the team will get a report card that is to be printed by the teacher for their records. (i.e. if the team Brain Busters tested, the teacher should write down the student names on the report card. News Bowl will never see the students’ name, only the team name will be used by News Bowl for rankings.)

Do third graders compete against other grades?
No! Each grade level has its own division. Grades 9-12 will be lumped into the high school division. If a team has mixed grades, they must enter the grade level of the oldest student.

How long will it take for a team to complete the News Brain Challenge?
The News Brain Challenge consists of 50-multiple choice questions. The estimated completion time is 30 minutes or less.

Does News Bowl rank scores nationally?
Yes, News Bowl will post the top 100 team scores in each grade division from each News Brain Challenge event. The listings will be posted on the News Bowl website the first week after testing ends. We will not list student names, only team names and school name.

What should students do to prepare for the News Brain Challenge?

Watch news shows.

Use newspapers in the classroom.

Discuss the news with teachers and family.

Use any news resource.

What study methods are used to prepare and review for the News Brain Challenge?
The News Brain Challenge is a student centered activity. There is no teacher preparation required. News Bowl suggests that students work as "topic specialists". The students will take the activity and run with it and they will learn so much and really get excited about the news. Parents will praise the activity for motivating the students. This is a great educational opportunity to develop lifelong learners.

What topics of current events questions will be on the News Brain Challenge?
Questions 1-10 will cover World and National News, questions 11-20 People News, questions 21-30 Geography, questions 31-40 Arts/Entertainment and Sports News, questions 41-50 Mr. News Owl’s Top Ten (any category).

Will national top scores be announced?
The top scoring team names in each grade level will be listed the first week of the next month.

When will the school contact person receive the News Brain Challenge passcode?
After you sign up, your School Contact Person will receive a News Brain Challenge test code in a window envelope letter arriving with a First Class Stamp. At test time, teams will enter their fun team name and their grade level.

What awards are available to students?
Certificates are available to the top scoring teams in each division, as well as student participation certificates. The certificates are found at the News Brain Challenge link.

What supplements come to the teacher when they enter the News Brain Challenge?
When a teacher enters a classroom in the News Brain Challenge, the website offers: rules, certificates, monthly test dates, topics of questions and past News Brain Challenge questions.