<p>Before you link me to the official website, Ive already been there but have only gotten an extremely general impression of the competition. I really want to make the team next year, but looking at the different categories
speech? Everything else I would be fine with, but public speaking really isnt my thing, as in it isnt something I would be able to get over easily. Is the whole speech thing really that detrimental to the competition? Does every member have to compete in every subject?</p>
<p>And just another random question music? How do they test that, haha?</p>
<p>Academic Decathlon is awesome.</p>
<p>For the speech, you recite a rehearsed speech (around 3 and 1/2 minutes to 4 minutes) in front of three judges. Right after your speech, you are given three prompts to choose from, and you have to do an impromptu speech.</p>
<p>The music - there are two packets of information: the Basic Guide and the Resource Guide. The Basic Guide contains basic music theory, history, instruments, etc. The topics covered in this guide will help you with the Resource Guide, which has information pertaining to the topic (e.g. music in the Civil War era). There is always a CD with listening selections (14 - 27 songs, changes with each year), and there is a listening section on the Music test where they play certain parts of songs and ask you questions about them.</p>
<p>The tests are all on Scantrons, except for Super Quiz Relay. In the relay, you go on stage and answer five questions about the Super Quiz topic. It's mad fun. </p>
<p>If you have any more questions, feel free to email me - PM me for the address. :)</p>
<p>Oh wow, thank you so much for the information!</p>
<p>The competition really does sound like a lot of fun, but I’m still worried about the speech portion. I freeze up with public speeches, especially when it’s impromptu, and I tend to stumble over words a lot when I’m nervous and get this weird lisp. I’m not sure what my question is in all of this (because I honestly do want to participate in this so much), but I guess, thoughts and suggestions?</p>
<p>Anyone who sucks at speech like me who has done AD before and wants to share?</p>
<p>Don't worry about speech... it's only 1/10th of your total score (though if you live in a competitive state and would like to do very well you'll have to work on it) - and the impromptu is only 30% of the speech points - so as long as your main memorized speech is good, you'll be fine</p>
<p>I just focus on my strengths when I study - math, science, super quiz, econ, and lang/lit... I never look at art or music because for me it would be a waste of time</p>