Frequently Asked Questions
When does the News Bowl League take place?
The News Bowl League is a test taken in your school on a day of your choice at the end of the month.
Test dates are as follows: | September 24-30, 2008 | October 27-31, 2008 | November 20-26, 2008 | December 17-23, 2008 | January 26-30, 2009 | February 23-27, 2009 | March 25-31, 2009 | April 24-30, 2009.
How is the News Bowl League administered?
The News Bowl League 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 league test each month?
The teacher signs up their entire classroom, therefore; the teacher may have as many teams as desired
take the league 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 Bowl League?
The News Bowl League 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 league 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 Bowl League?
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 Bowl League?
The News Bowl League 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 Current Events League?
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 league passcode?
After you sign up, your School Contact Person will receive a League 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 league link at the right side of the website.
What supplements come to the teacher when they enter the News Bowl Online League?
When a teacher enters a classroom in the News Bowl League, the website offers: rules, certificates, monthly
test dates, topics of questions, past league questions and league t-shirts order form.