Academic Testing & Creative Writing

  Tests will be given in Bible, math, English, science, and history. 

A separate test will be given to each of the two divisions (grades 6-8 and grades 9-12). Each school may enter up to five of their top scholars for each test in each division.

--9-12 grade students ONLY may bring a scientific calculator to use for the math test. No phones or graphing calculators are allowed.

--Testing will be done at the individual schools before the competition. Tests will be sent to the school sponsors via email on the day of testing from the FCAA Academic Coordinator.

 Each school may enter up to five of its top students in each division. This competition will take place at the schools. This is usually done in February or March before the competition. Each school’s sponsor will be contacted with further information regarding the time frame.

General Rules:

1. The Creative Writing challenge will take place at the individual schools, usually in February or March before the competition

2. Students wishing to participate will meet in a testing center all at one time and be given two hours (maximum) to complete their story.

3. Participants may bring a dictionary, thesaurus, KJV Bible, and grammar workbook for reference purposes if they wish.

4. Participants must bring their own pen or pencil, but paper will be provided for them. Participants must write on the front of the paper only.

5. All students will be given the same prompt and target word count, and no students may complete the creative writing assignment if they arrive later or receive the prompt at a different time. 

(This prevents cheating and the seeking of outside help.)

6. If a student is registered for competition but is absent the day of the competition, they are automatically withdrawn. However, another student may take their place as long as they also are registered for the Fine Arts Competition.

7. Judges will select a winner based on the following categories:

● Creativity

● Adherence to grammar and punctuation standards 

(unless divergence is obviously intentional for the 

sake of character development or creativity)

● Complexity of development

● Use of vocabulary

● Meeting the target word count

● Development of theme

● Use of imagery

● Use of standard literary tools (personification, 

foreshadowing, symbolism, etc.)

● Use of creative (non-trite) phrasing and idiom

● Overall impression