Spontaneous Judging Review

There are three different types of spontaneous problems. Those that require the team members to speak are:

• a. Verbal

• b. Verbal/Hands-on

• c. Hands-on

• d. Both a and b

• e. a, b, and c

The number of team members who may enter the spontaneous competition room includes:

• a. All members of the team

• b. All team members and their coach

• c. Only the team members who want to participate

• d. Up to seven team members even if they're not all on that specific team

Every spontaneous problem comes with a page two section, which is "For Judges Only." This section is important to read because:

• a. It explains the intent of the problem

• b. It gives setup directions and other specific information to clarify the problem

• c. It gives suggested common and creative responses for verbal problems

• d. It contains a list of materials needed for use in the problem

• e. All of the above

4. In a verbal problem, all judges should have the same number of responses recorded. In the event of a discrepancy, judges should:

• a. Add a common response score if two of the three judges recorded more responses

• b. Remove a common response if two of the three judges recorded fewer responses

• c. Call the team back in and have them repeat the problem

• d. Eliminate the problem and use an alternate one

• e. Both a and b

If someone knocks on the door while a team is in the spontaneous competition room, the head judge should:

• a. Answer and tell them to go away

• b. Have the timekeeper stop the time and send the person away

• c. Ignore it and continue judging

• d. Make sure the red/green paper is in place

• e. Both c and d

In a verbal or verbal/hands-on problem, if a team member gives a duplicate or very similar response, the judge should:

• a. Do nothing and score the response as “common”

• b. Not allow the response and give no score

• c. Ask the student to give a different response

• d. Score the response as “common” and tell the team not to do that again

Two copies of the problem should be placed in front of the team members for use during the competition. This is done for all three types of problems. This should be done:

• a. Before the judge starts to read the problem.

• b. After the judge has read the problem once.

• c. After the judge says, “Team Begin” or “Begin Part I.”

• d. When response time or Part II begins.

• e. Never. Teams do not get to see the problem.

Scoresheets are provided for each problem. Before turning them into the score room, judges should double-check the following:

• a. Make sure each scoresheet has the individual judge’s number on it.

• b. In a verbal or verbal/hands-on problem, all judges have the same number of total responses.

• c. In a hands-on problem, make sure that all judges have the same score for objective scoring components.

• d. Make sure that all judges have the same total score.

• e. a,b, and c.

There are no formal grievance procedures for spontaneous. If a team has a complaint, the judge should instruct the team to:

• a. Tell its coach.

• b. Discuss it with the Holding Room Judge.

• c. Argue with the judges in the room.

• d. Discuss it with the Spontaneous Problem Captain.

• e. Insist that they see their scoresheets.

In hands-on problems teams are often given score for “How well the team works together” with a point value listed in the problem. In deciding how many points each team should get, the judges should:

• a. Discuss it among themselves and come to a consensus.

• b. Decide individually. Scores are averaged at the end.

• c. Only give points if the teams work well together.

• d. Score higher if the team’s solution is creatively superior.

• e. Both b and d.