What is World Scholar's Cup?
The World Scholar's Cup is a global academic competition that brings together students from 65+ countries to compete in four events: Team Debate, Collaborative Writing, Scholar's Challenge, and Scholar's Bowl.
More Than a Competition
World Scholar's Cup (WSC) is designed to make learning fun and social. Unlike traditional academic competitions, WSC emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and cross-disciplinary thinking. Students don't just memorize facts—they learn to debate ideas, write creatively, and make connections across subjects.
The competition is famous for its quirky, engaging curriculum that changes every year, covering everything from historical events to pop culture, science breakthroughs to philosophical debates.
The Four WSC Events
Each team competes in all four events. Success requires a balance of different skills and effective teamwork.
Team Debate
Teams of 3 scholars debate motions connected to the curriculum. Each tournament has 3 debates - some prepared in advance, others impromptu.
Format
- 3 debates per tournament
- Teams argue for or against motions
- Motions connect to all curriculum subjects
- Unique WSC format with Reply speeches
Skills Developed
Collaborative Writing
Team members each respond to one of three prompts. Prompts range from creative stories to analytical essays, all connected to the curriculum.
Format
- 3 prompts per tournament
- One response per team member
- Creative and analytical prompts
- Teams plan together, write individually
Skills Developed
Scholar's Challenge
A 120-question multiple-choice test covering all curriculum subjects. Questions reward both knowledge and the ability to make educated guesses.
Format
- 120 multiple-choice questions
- 6 subjects + Special Area
- Unique scoring rewards smart guessing
- Individual event with team totals
Skills Developed
Scholar's Bowl
A fast-paced team quiz competition. Teams buzz in to answer questions, requiring quick recall, teamwork, and strategic risk-taking.
Format
- Buzzer-based team competition
- Questions from all curriculum areas
- Points for correct answers
- Team coordination essential
Skills Developed
The Path to Yale
WSC has three levels of competition. Teams progress from Regional to Global Rounds, with top performers qualifying for the Tournament of Champions.
Regional Round
Held in cities worldwide. Most teams qualify for Global Rounds.
Global Round
Major events in Bangkok, Dubai, Manila, and more. Top teams qualify for ToC.
Tournament of Champions
The ultimate championship held annually at Yale University.
Common Questions
What age groups can participate in World Scholar's Cup?
WSC has two divisions: Junior Division for students typically ages 10-13, and Senior Division for students ages 13-18. The exact age cutoffs may vary slightly by year.
How do I form a team for World Scholar's Cup?
Teams consist of exactly 3 students from the same division. You can form a team with classmates, friends, or students from other schools. Some Regional Rounds also help match individual students with incomplete teams.
What is the WSC curriculum about?
Each year, WSC releases a new curriculum covering Science & Technology, History, Art & Music, Literature, Social Studies, and a Special Area (unique annual theme). The curriculum is designed to be engaging and interconnected.
How much does it cost to participate in WSC?
Registration fees vary by location. Regional Rounds typically cost $50-150 per student. Global Rounds cost more and include accommodation packages. Check the official WSC website for current pricing.
Do I need prior experience in debate or competitions?
No! WSC is designed to be accessible to newcomers. Many successful scholars start with no prior competition experience. The unique WSC format means everyone is learning something new.