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. Aug. 20, 2024 is fair game for any exam. However, the following cut-off dates may assist in studying for multiple-choice questions.

Dates for 2024-2025:
Inv. A — Aug. 20 - Dec. 1, 2024
Inv. B — Aug. 20, 2024 - Jan. 6, 2025
District — Sept. 23, 2024 - Feb. 14, 2025
Region  —  Oct. 21, 2024 - March 13, 2025 
State  —  Jan. 6 - May 16, 2025

Essay

• More Information on the Essay

Scoring

The multiple choice test is worth 80 points total; the essay is worth 20 points total. The competitor with the highest combined score (multiple choice + essay) will be the winner. For a more specific discussion of the scoring, please see the Current Issues and Events Handbook and the UIL 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.