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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


REGISTRATION AND MATERIALS


Question: Can contestants change the track or Bible version that they registered under?
Answer: Yes, through July 15th. Parents can make this change on their Family Control Panel. If the family would like study materials in the new version, they will be responsible to purchase them from the E-Store.

Question: Are the Sword Studies and Parent Guidebooks specific to different Bible versions?
Answer: No. The Sword Studies and Parent Guidebooks make reference to all the Bible Bee approved versions, but do not favor any one particular version. Any passage reading or writing assignments should be completed using your Bible Bee-branded Bibles.

Question: When the website indicates that contestants have to learn 250, 500 or 800 "verses," is it referring to individual verses or passages of Scripture?
Answer: There are 250, 500 and 800 individual verses for the National Track Primary, Junior and Senior National age divisions, respectively, that are grouped as passages for memorization. Timothy Track contestants are responsible for 50, 100 or 150 verses that are likewise grouped into passages (though some passages may be as short as one verse.)

Question: Which Bible Memory Cards are for the Timothy Track?
Answer: Though each contestant will receive the entire set of Bible Memory Cards for his or her age division, the Timothy Track cards are marked with a shield labeled with a "T." There are also lists of all of the required Bible Memory passages for both National and Timothy Track contestants in the Sword Study Notebooks. Passages which were also Awana memory verses for the year will be marked with an Awana logo.

Question: If a family missed the registration deadline, can they still order the Sword Studies or Bible Bee Memory Cards?
Answer: Yes, any of the Bible Bee materials can be ordered from the E-Store.

Question: What is inductive study? What are the benefits of studying the Bible inductively?
Answer: Inductive study is an investigative method that systematically observes and asks questions of the Biblical text which leads to more accurate understanding of Scripture. A clearer knowledge of the background setting, key words and context of a passage allows us to properly interpret and apply God's Word to our lives, which serves as a deterrent to superficial or faulty human interpretations of Scripture. The inductive method also guides us into an intimate involvement with the Word, utilizing both understanding and critical thinking. Through this method both the big picture of the entire book and the detailed chapter by chapter flow are explored and charted. Those who invest in studying a book of the Bible to this depth come away feeling like they "own" the book. It also allows the Holy Spirit to use Scripture in our lives as we accurately understand it, and we are better equipped both to resist heresy and deception, and to explain and teach Truth to others.

Question: Why do you ask contestants to study Hebrew or Greek words?
Answer: Hebrew and Greek word studies give us an accurate understanding of the use of the words in the passage being studied. Then you can focus on the meaning of the words and get a clear understanding of the meaning of the passage as it relates to the entire book.

For example, the English word "love" is translated from these Greek words: "phileo" which refers to brotherly love, "eros" which refers to romantic love and "agape" which signifies sacrificial, unselfish love. Understanding which specific Greek word that is translated as "love" is being used in a passage significantly affects the interpretation and application of that passage.

Question: Is the Sword Drill computer program for Bible Memory practice still available?
Answer: Yes, families can purchase a Sword Drill CD through the E-Store.

Question: How can families access their Family Control Panel?
Answer: On the Bible Bee website or a Local Bible Bee microsite, they can click on the "2011 Login" at the top right of the page. Using the username and password assigned with their registration confirmation email, they can login, and may then change their username and password, if they wish. The original username is always the email address that was given at registration, and underneath the login fields, there is a "Forgot your password" to help families. If they cannot login after using the above information, they should contact Bible Bee Headquarters.

LOCAL CONTEST


Question: If a family decides to not compete at the Local Contest, what procedure should they follow?
Answer: Before July 15th, they can switch their children's track to "Supporting Sibling" and no test materials will be prepared for them. If they do not wish to attend the Local Contest at all, or if they make the decision not to compete after July 15th, they should notify their Local Host.

Question: How does the Bible Bee accommodate youth with special needs for the Local Contest?
Answer: According to the Competition Rulebook, the starting point for modifications is a doctor's letter that must be submitted to SKF by July 1st. Each case will be considered individually, and Bible Bee Headquarters will consult with the local Host about making specific arrangements.

Question: Will all of the contestants be able to see their scores online, or just the winners?
Answer: All contestants' scores for the Oral Test, Written Test and Combined Score will be listed online by their contestant I.D. number. Test materials will not be released or returned to families because they are the confidential intellectual property of SKF, just like an SAT or ACT test.

ORAL TEST ROUND


Question: What is the definition of a "passage?"
Answer: A passage is a verse or verses in consecutive order. A passage may vary in length from one to three Bible Memory Cards. The reference for the entire passage is always listed first on the front of the cards. Contestants will have the opportunity to recite up to 25 passages in 10 minutes.

Question: Is it possible for children to say all 25 passages at a normal rate of speaking in 10 minutes?
Answer: Yes, it is possible, if they know their passages very well.

Question: If a memory passage is several verses long, or is printed on more than one Bible Memory Card, will the Judges ask the contestant to recite part of the verse (just one memory card) or one verse out of the entire passage?
Answer: The contestants will always be asked to recite the whole passage. We will not split memory passages or ask for a verse recitation from the middle of a passage.

Question: If contestants pass several passages, can they be asked extra passages beyond the 25 passages?
Answer: No.

Question: May contestants sing their Bible memory passages during the Oral Test?
Answer: No, singing will not be allowed for recitations during any oral contest of the Bible Bee.

Question: What is the difference between a "start-over" and a "self-correction?"
Answer: For a recitation to count as a true start over, contestants must stop on their own accord before finishing the verse and start over at the beginning of the passage, with or without the reference. The contestants may tell the Judges that they want to start over, or they may just begin again. The signal to the Judges for the start-over is to hear the reference or the first word of the passage repeated again. No points will be deducted for leaving out the reference when starting over. Only one start-over is permitted per passage.
Stopping and going back to a place in the middle of a passage and beginning again from that point is what we consider a "self-correction." Self-corrections will be graded as using an incorrect word or words, as referenced in the Competition Rulebook under "Oral Test Round Judging Rules."
Example of a self-correction:
"In the beginning, God created...hmmm.. God created the heavens and earth..."

Two points would be deducted for two additional words inserted in this example.

Question: Is the 10-minute period continuous, or does it only run when the contestant is reciting?
Answer: The 10-minute period begins as the Judge says the last word of the first Scripture reference and continues without pause until the contestant either finishes reciting the passages or the time runs out. If a contestant is having a "meltdown" or other emergency, the Judge may stop the timer until the contestant is ready to begin again with the remaining time on the clock.

WRITTEN TEST ROUND


Question: Are the Written Tests version-specific?
Answer: The Written Test is carefully crafted to be fair for all contestants, no matter what Bible version that they use. Our test writers have all five approved Bible Bee versions open throughout the creation of the tests and constantly compare word choices to make the exam as "version-neutral" as possible.

Question: How should contestants prepare for the Written Test?
Answer: Though the test is not based on the Sword Studies, but on the Bible book itself, we have provided the Sword Studies as a useful study tool. The purpose of the Sword Studies is to facilitate parents in discipling their children in learning how to study God's Word on their own and grow in their personal relationship with the Lord. On the Contest side, the test is not a rote memory test. A child who thoroughly understands the materials and context, and studies the Sword Study diligently will be well-prepared for the Written Test. Please remember that the questions are multiple choice, so a child who knows the material inside out should be able to choose the correct answer. To further assist youth as they prepare for the Written Test, we have provided sample questions and sample bubble sheets on the Bible Bee website to give the contestants some familiarity with what they will encounter.

Question: Do the contestants need to know Hebrew or Greek to do well on the Written Test? Will a list of key words be provided for study purposes?
Answer: Questions on the Written Test will include Greek and/or Hebrew word studies from the Bible book designated for the year. Contestants will need to recognize Greek and/or Hebrew words written in English and recognize their meanings as they relate to the book, but we will not provide a list, as we don't want to encourage rote memorization, but rather the habit of seeking understanding. You can find a list of resources to assist your family in word studies in the introductory section of the Sword Study Notebooks. Please see the "Sample Written Test Questions" area on your local web site. Hebrew/Greek words are used to give the family a clearer understanding of the passage being studied, not to teach Hebrew or Greek vocabulary. Hebrew/Greek words on the written tests will always be presented in their English context, generally as an additional "hint" toward the correct answer.

Question: Do contestants need to memorize the designated book, or all of the listed cross references to do well on the Written Test?
Answer: Again, the test is not a rote memory test. A child who thoroughly understands the materials and context, and studies the Sword Study diligently will be well-prepared for the Written Test. Please remember that the questions are multiple choice, so a child who knows the material inside out should be able to choose the correct answer. This applies to being familiar with the cross references as well.

Question: Can Primary youth who don't read well enough to understand the test have an adult help them read the words?
Answer: This is permissible in the Timothy Track, as long as there are volunteers available to help with reading, and it is done in such a way as to not be a distraction to other contestants. Contestants who have an approved special accommodation from SKF for reading assistance will be given that help, as arranged by the Host, Bible Bee Headquarters and the parents.

NATIONAL COMPETITION


Question: When will national qualifiers be announced?
Answer: On or before the Wednesday after the Local Contests.

Question: How will alternates know if they will be invited to compete at Nationals?
Answer: National qualifiers must commit to registering for the National Competition no later than September 15th. Any open spots will then be offered to alternates, in order of their scores. It is not likely that many alternates will be invited in any given year, so those ranked past the 110th top score in each age division probably have little chance of invitation, though it is technically possible. Alternate invitations will be completed by September 22nd.

Question: Do contestants need to bring an original birth certificate to registration at Nationals?
Answer: No, a copy of a birth certificate is acceptable as proof of identity; other options are an original driver's license, a state I.D. card or a passport.

Question: Who is allowed to attend Nationals?
Answer: Everyone is invited! Some portions of the event are reserved or complimentary only for the National contestants and their immediate families, but most of the contest events and family activities are open to the public. National contestants must lodge with at least one parent or legal guardian at the hotel indicated by SKF, but SKF also reserves discounted rooms at other nearby hotels for volunteers and visitors. The National Competition is definitely an experience worth planning as a family vacation!

Question: Will test materials be released to families after Nationals?
Answer: Neither local nor national test materials will be released or returned to families because they are the confidential intellectual property of SKF, just like an SAT or ACT test. Scores from Nationals will be posted on the Bible Bee website within 30 days after the National Competition.

Question: Are Local Event Teams responsible for raising money to help any national qualifiers from their Local Bee to attend Nationals.
Answer: No. They may help the families if they choose to, but only the national qualifier's family holds the financial responsibility of all expenses associated with travel and participating at Nationals.