Competitions & Testing

To continue providing fair, consistent, and meaningful competition experiences for our members, several updates have been made to State Convention competitions and testing procedures this year. As always, sponsors should carefully review the State Convention Handbook (when released), as competition rules and procedures may have changed.

Online Testing Platform 

All online testing will transition from ProProfs to ClassMarker. 

Onsite Testing 

Following the model set during National Convention, top placing members of online individual academic tests will take a paper test onsite at State Convention.  The number of students advancing to onsite testing varies by state and is based on attendance. Please refer to the lists below to see how many finalists from online testing will advance.  

• Finalists will be posted in the National Beta app within 2-3 business days following the closure of the testing and submission window
• All finalists must complete the test onsite to be eligible for a state award. 

This update enhances fairness and consistency across all academic events and ensures the integrity of competitions at the state level.  

Stay to Save Program 

Following the National Convention registration model, State Conventions will now use the Stay to Save program. Clubs that reserve their hotel accommodations through National Beta’s official housing partner, Orchid, will receive the discounted $30 registration rate. Clubs not booking through Orchid will pay a $45 registration fee.  

To receive the $30 Stay to Save registration rate, clubs will: 

• Reserve hotel accommodations through National Beta’s official housing partner, Orchid, before registering for State Convention. 
• Enter their Master Acknowledgement Number and Confirmation Number received during registration. This number will be sent directly to your email following booking from info@cvent.com 
• As a friendly reminder, a credit card will be required to make a hotel reservation through Orchid. No fees or deposits are required when booking, however, the card will be used to enforce cancellations. All alternative payment options will be available on the Orchid booking site.  

Additional details: 

• Hotel cancellations will incur a $10 per room cancellation fee until a state-specific deadline. After that date, the cancellation fee will increase to $99 per room. This will allow clubs to cancel any unused rooms at a nominal fee while still allowing other clubs who still want to be at the onsite hotel the opportunity to book at the group rate.

Late Registration 

We’re excited to share that a late registration window will remain available online until 12:00 PM (EST) on the closing date of the Testing & Submission Window. During this window, clubs can still register and enter competitions. Members registered for Creative Writing, Digital Portfolio, Individual Academic Competitions, Musicology, Poetry, Quiz Bowl, and Technology must submit materials or complete their respective tests by 5:00 PM (EST) on the closing date of the window. 

Please note the following: 

• The late registration fee has increased from $35 to $45. 
• Merchandise pre-orders will not be available during the late registration window. 
• State Officer candidates may not register during the late registration window. 

Trophy & Award Pickup

Onsite Competitions 

Awards not picked up during State Convention may be ordered through the Beta Shop using the standard plaque pricing plus shipping. 

Online Competitions 

If awards are not picked up onsite for the following competitions, award requests should be submitted to convention@betaclub.org. A $10 shipping fee will apply. 

• Book Battle 
• Creative Writing 
• Digital Portfolio 
• Poetry 
• Technology