AARCB 2026 Quiz Bowl

BLACK HISTORY QUIZ BOWL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Quiz bowl will consist of a single elimination tournament in which teams gain points by

answering questions asked by a moderator. Team pairings will be chosen at random for the

matches. GENERAL INFORMATION & FORMAT

1. Each team will consist of 5 players. There may be two alternates on a team and

substitutions may be made between breaks/time outs. Same players listed at registration

must advance to each round. No switching of team or team member. Doing so will

disqualify teams from participating.

2. The quiz bowl is based a single elimination

3. Each match will consist of 2 opposing teams lasting ten (10) minutes in duration with 5

questions per round. Total number of points per round is 50.

4. There will be 2 ten-minute rounds to complete a match.

5. Each correct response is worth ten (10) points; and the team with the most points at the end

of the 2 ten- minute rounds is the winner of the match and will advance to the 2nd week.

Each team plays each other to determine who advances to round two of the 2nd week using

single elimination by score. In the 3rd week, all winning teams will compete against each

other to determine the 1st and 2nd place winners.

6. Only one player per team may buzz on the question and only the player who buzzed may

give an answer. The designated player should give the team’s answer. The team must begin

answering within five (10) seconds after having been recognized by the moderator.

7. A team may buzz to answer a question at any point after the moderator has begun reading

it; and the moderator will stop as soon as the player has buzzed. The team has 10 seconds to

give the correct answer.

8. Teammates may consult with each other quietly within the 10 seconds before responding.

9. If the team answers the question incorrectly, or the 10 seconds has expired, then the

moderator will give the opposing team 5 seconds to give the correct answer.

10. If no one signals within the allotted time, the moderator will give the answer and the next

question will be asked.

11. On all questions, the first answer given will be the one accepted (i.e., there will be no second

thoughts). The moderator reserves the right to ask the respondent to be more specific.

12. If the pronunciation of the answer is unclear to the moderator, the respondent may be

asked to spell the answer. If spelled incorrectly, the answer will be considered incorrect.

13. Only the coach may verbally address the moderator about a procedure or a question

during a round. No one else (spectator or substitute) may lodge a protest. A verbal protest

from anyone other than the coach or will automatically nullify the protest.

14. Judges will determine who buzzed in first and inform the moderator before a response is

given. The judge also determines if the answer given was correct before a point is awarded.

15. If the score is tied at the end of the match, the match will be extended for one additional

question to break the tie.

16. The time keeper keeps of time to ensure that all responses (answers) are given in a timely

manner.