Current Issues and Events
Elements of the Contest
The Current Issues and Events Contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national and world events/issues and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and one essay. The essay is intended to assess the competitor's ability to synthesize and evaluate information and present it in an informed manner.
Additional Information
Topics
The multiple choice test and the essay will cover important domestic and international issues, events, and personalities. Topics tend to (but do not always) fall in to the following categories:
- War & Conflict
- International
- Domestic
- Economics
- Science / Technology / Environment
- Education / Awards / Honors / Media / Deaths
- Texas
The contest will focus on a basic knowledge of current state, national and world events and issues. “Current events” are defined as those that have occurred during the current school year so any material after Aug. 15, 2022 is fair game for any exam. However, the following cut-off dates may assist in studying for multiple-choice questions.
Invitational — Aug. 15 - Dec. 2 (A) or Jan. 6 (B)
District —Feb. 6
Region — March 10
State — May 15
Essay
Scoring
The multiple choice test is worth 80 points total; the essay is worth 20 points total. The competitor with highest combined score (multiple choice + essay) will be the winner. For a more specific discussion of the scoring, please see the Constitution and Contest Rules.
UIL Regional and State Qualifiers
Remember, if your team or any individual cannot advance for any reason, it is your responsibility to notify the contest officials of the next higher meet as well as the alternate school of your inability to advance.
State contest director
Bradley Wilson, PhD
bradleywilson08@gmail.com
Contest Handbook
Sample Test & Key
(Based on Spring 2017 year's events and news)
Additional Information
Recommended Sites and Sources
- Texas Tribune
- Austin American-Statesman
- Dallas Morning News
- Houston Chronicle
- The New York Times
- Washington Post
- USA Today
- BBC
- PBS News Hour
- National Public Radio
- CNN
- MSNBC
- Fox News