Although there is a specific format for the NSC, affiliated tournaments need not run their competition in NSC format. In fact, PACE does not dictate any specific game format to any of its affiliates, nor does it enforce any standards of quality (although it has standards it encourages to all affiliated tournaments). PACE recognizes that there are many game formats to be played around the country, and that this diversity can be viewed as a strength for academic competition in general. In addition, PACE wishes to encourage creativity and innovation in academic competition, and dictating a format will likely discourage such experimentation from occurring.

Affiliated tournaments must have a minimum of 12 teams competing for the tournament championship in order for the top teams to qualify for the NSC. The tournament field must be open to all interested teams, and not restricted to selected schools (e.g., membership in a quiz bowl league). All teams must play in head-to-head competition using buzzer systems for a minimum of four games (i.e., no single or double-elimination-only formats) to adequately test all the teams in their depth of knowledge. Questions must cover all academic areas of knowledge (e.g., not Math Bowl, Geography Bee, or Science Olympiad), and all copyrights must be respected.

E-mail Public Relations Executive Director Emil Thomas Chuck at etchuck@yahoo.com if you have questions about affiliating your tournament with PACE.