Question 1

What is World Scholar's Cup (WSC)?

Accepted Answer

World Scholar's Cup is a global academic competition for students ages 10-18. Teams of three compete in four events: Team Debate, Collaborative Writing, Scholar's Challenge (multiple-choice test), and Scholar's Bowl (team quiz). Students progress from Regional Rounds to Global Rounds held worldwide, with top teams qualifying for the Tournament of Champions at Yale University.

Question 2

What age groups can participate in WSC?

Accepted Answer

WSC has two divisions: Junior Division (typically ages 10-13) and Senior Division (typically ages 13-18). Age cutoffs may vary slightly by year. Students compete against others in their division at all rounds.

Question 3

What subjects does WSC cover?

Accepted Answer

WSC covers six subject areas: Science & Technology, History & Social Studies, Art & Music, Literature, and a Special Area (unique theme that changes annually). All events draw from this curriculum, which is released each year in January.

Question 4

How do teams qualify for Global Rounds?

Accepted Answer

Teams qualify for Global Rounds by competing at Regional Rounds held in cities worldwide. At Regional Rounds, a significant percentage of teams (typically 50-70%) qualify to attend one of the Global Rounds held in cities like Bangkok, Dubai, Manila, and more.

Question 5

What is the Tournament of Champions (ToC)?

Accepted Answer

The Tournament of Champions is the final championship round held annually at Yale University. Teams qualify by earning enough points at Global Rounds. It's the highest level of WSC competition, bringing together the best scholars from around the world.

Question 6

What makes WSC Academy different from other prep programs?

Accepted Answer

WSC Academy is led by coaches who have personally competed at Global Rounds and Tournament of Champions. We offer comprehensive preparation for all four WSC events, with both Dubai in-person classes and online programs for students worldwide. Our 85% Global Round qualification rate speaks to our coaching quality.

Question 7

Who are your coaches?

Accepted Answer

Our coaches are WSC champions and experienced judges. They've won medals at Global Rounds, qualified for Tournament of Champions, and trained hundreds of successful scholars. Many continue to judge at official WSC competitions, giving them insider knowledge of what judges look for.

Question 8

Do you offer online classes?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer comprehensive online classes for students worldwide. Online students receive the same quality instruction as our Dubai classes, with live sessions, practice materials, and feedback from our expert coaches. Classes are scheduled at various times to accommodate different time zones.

Question 9

What is your success rate?

Accepted Answer

Over 85% of our students qualify for Global Rounds at their Regional competitions. Many go on to win medals at Global Rounds and qualify for Tournament of Champions. Our alumni have attended top universities including Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Stanford, and more.

Question 10

What programs do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer Complete Programs covering all four WSC events, as well as Specialist Tracks focusing on Team Debate, Collaborative Writing, or Scholar's Challenge & Bowl. Programs are available for different levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Elite) and age groups (Junior and Senior divisions).

Question 11

Should I choose the Complete Program or a Specialist Track?

Accepted Answer

The Complete Program is ideal for most students, especially first-timers, as it prepares you for all four events in an integrated way. Specialist Tracks are great for students who want to strengthen a specific event, or who are already taking a Complete Program and want extra focus on one area.

Question 12

How long are your courses?

Accepted Answer

Our term-based programs run for 10-12 weeks, with weekly sessions of 1.5-3 hours depending on the program. This gives students enough time to build skills progressively and prepare for upcoming competitions.

Question 13

What is the class size?

Accepted Answer

We keep classes small to ensure personalized attention. Complete Programs have a maximum of 8-12 students, while Elite and Specialist courses may have as few as 6-10 students. This allows coaches to provide individual feedback and support.

Question 14

How much do your courses cost?

Accepted Answer

Dubai in-person courses range from 2,000-5,400 AED per term depending on the program. Online courses range from $75-225/month. We offer early bird discounts for early enrollment. Visit our Courses page for detailed pricing.

Question 15

Do you offer a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer a free trial class so you can experience our teaching before committing. Book a trial through our website to attend a session and meet our coaches. No payment required for the trial.

Question 16

What is your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

We offer full refunds if you cancel within 7 days of enrollment and before attending more than 2 classes. Partial refunds may be available later in the term. Contact us for specific situations.

Question 17

When should I enroll?

Accepted Answer

We recommend enrolling at least 8-12 weeks before your target Regional Round. This gives enough time to cover all curriculum and practice. However, we also offer intensive programs for students with less time. The earlier you start, the better prepared you'll be.

Question 18

How much time should students dedicate to WSC preparation?

Accepted Answer

Beyond class time, students should spend 3-5 hours per week on independent study: reading curriculum materials, practicing debate, and doing writing exercises. More time may be needed as competition approaches. Our coaches provide structured study plans to help manage this.

Question 19

Do I need prior debate or competition experience?

Accepted Answer

No! Many successful WSC scholars start with no prior experience. Our Foundations courses are designed for complete beginners. WSC's unique format is different from other debate styles, so everyone starts learning something new.

Question 20

How do I find a team?

Accepted Answer

Teams are groups of 3 students. Many students form teams with classmates or friends. WSC Academy also helps connect students looking for teammates. You can register as an incomplete team and find members at some Regional Rounds, though we recommend having a team before competition.

Question 21

Can I do WSC as an individual?

Accepted Answer

WSC is a team competition requiring groups of 3. However, some Regional Rounds allow individual registration and help match you with teammates. Contact your local Regional Round organizer for options. WSC Academy can also help connect students seeking teammates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1About World Scholar's Cup

2About WSC Academy

3Programs & Courses

4Pricing & Enrollment

5Preparation & Competition

Related Resources

What is World Scholar's Cup?

How to Prepare for WSC

WSC Coaching Programs

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