- We send you a set of multiple-choice questions for each participating student. These include knowledge and skill questions, within the time constraints of responding to stimulus material. We also send you an answer sheet for each participating student. Please check that you have received the right number when they arrive. We are not infallible.
- You run the Competition under test conditions over a 35-minute period between 26 March and 4 April. Students get additional time to fill in their identifying information.
- You send the completed answer sheets to us, postmarked no later than Thursday 5 April 2012. The answer sheets are computer marked.
- Students’ individual results and certificates ‒ high distinction, distinction, credit or participation ‒ are returned to you by early June. All students correctly filling in their identification receive a certificate.
FAQ
After I’ve entered, what happens; how do I run the Competition in my school?
Do I have to choose a specific date between 26 March and 4 April?
We recommend that all students from one school complete the Competition on the same day. It is up to the school which of the days between 26 March and 4 April is chosen. We realise that not all schools can arrange to have all their students compete on the same day so, if necessary, schools may spread the Competition over two or more days.
Competition question sets must be under the teacher’s control until 5 April 2012, i.e. you have to collect them from the students at the end of the test. Although the possibility exists of a student hearing some questions from another, such a student would not succeed in the Final for under 16s or the selection process for the Olympiad. On balance, we believe that the disadvantages of insisting that the Competition be held everywhere at the same time outweigh the problem of possible cheating.
What if my school cannot run the Competition between 26 March and 4 April?
If your school cannot compete between 26 March and 4 April, then you may hold the Competition as soon as possible before those dates. The planned dates for the Competition to be put into the mail to schools are 13-16 March. If for any reason you are forced to hold the competition after 4 April then you must notify the organisers of this. In that event, and as long as we receive the answer sheets by 16 April, your students will be marked and receive certificates, but will not be eligible to receive prizes.
Is there any flexibility with dates for distance education schools?
Yes, we can be more flexible with dates for Schools of Distance Education. Teachers should contact Kath Berg to discuss any problems. Students must complete the Competition under test conditions. See the supervision FAQ below.
Can I make changes to my school’s entry?
If a school wishes to increase or decrease the number of students entered, or to withdraw its entry, the organisers must receive notification of this by email or fax by 10.00 am Monday 12 March 2012. If required, a refund will be made, less a $25.00 handling fee. No refund will be given if notification is received after this time.
You may use any spare answer sheets sent in the Competition pack for additional late students and send the extra payment back with the answer sheets. You may NOT use photocopies of answer sheets as they cannot be computer marked.
What are the age levels for the Competition?
Students are graded at three levels, junior, intermediate or senior, depending on their age on 31 August 2012. This cut-off date is determined by the age requirements of the international competitions, participation in which forms the major student prizes.
Students of all ages use different subsets of questions from the same booklets, so you don’t need to work out in advance which age levels are in which classes. The students’ printed scores, percentiles and certificate categories are calculated within their age cohorts.
The junior level is for students 13 years or younger on 31 August 2012, and they answer Questions 1-30. Junior students may choose to answer Questions 1-40 for the chance to win prizes at the intermediate level. They should still fill in their correct age.
The intermediate level is for students 14 or 15 years old on 31 August 2012, and they answer Questions 1-40.
The senior level is for students 16 to 18 years old on 31 August 2012, and they answer Questions 16-50.
Do I need to keep the question booklets secure?
Yes, Competition question sets must be under the teacher’s control until 5 April 2012. Although the possibility exists of a student hearing some questions from another, such a student would not succeed in the Final for under 16s or the selection process for the Olympiad. On balance, we believe that the disadvantages of insisting that the Competition be held everywhere at the same time outweigh the problem of possible cheating.
What type of classroom supervision is needed for the Competition?
Students will complete the answer sheets individually under test conditions, that is: they will be supervised at all times; the time limit will be adhered to; no access to external resources is allowed; no advice on the content of the test is to be given to students after the test has been seen by teachers/supervisors.
What’s the school-assigned code on the answer sheet?
This optional code is for use by schools that are entering large numbers of students and that want their results sorted by class or Year. If you choose to use this code, your school results can be sorted into up to 13 subsets. Otherwise students should leave this blank.
Is there any special accommodation for visually impaired students?
We don’t have a braille version but we can assist in other ways. Teachers of visually impaired students should contact Kath Berg to discuss options.
What can junior students win?
The highest-scoring student in Australia, in each State and in the combined Territories (ACT, NT and the External Territories), and a small number of other high-scoring students, each receive a prize (a book and a globe) and certificate. Junior students who choose to answer questions 1 to 40 are also in the running for prizes at the intermediate level.
What can intermediate students win?
The highest-scoring student in each State and in the combined Territories (ACT, NT and the External Territories), and the student receiving the next highest score in Australia, each win a fun-packed weekend to Sydney to compete in the Final for under 16s, a book prize and certificate. Tied students are separated with questions given orally in pre-arranged telephone calls. Year 12 students are excluded from a position in the Final. Other very high scoring students and Territory winners each win a book prize and certificate. Students can win other prizes from the Final, including a place in the Australian team to the National Geographic World Championship in St Petersburg, Russia. See the FAQ on the Final.
What can senior students win?
Prizes at this level use scores with a weighting on the final 10 questions and tied students may be separated using school assessment. The highest-scoring student in Australia, in each State and in the combined Territories (ACT, NT and the External Territories), each receive a medal, book prize and certificate. For students in Year 11 or lower, the highest-scoring male and female students in each State and the combined Territories each win a place at Geography’s Big Week Out in Victoria. A small number of other high-scoring students may also be awarded either of these prizes at the discretion of the organisers. Four Big Week Out students will go on to win places in the Australian team to the International Geography Olympiad in Kyoto, Japan.
What can schools win?
The top school in Australia will win over $6000 of Promethean’s interactive learning technology products. The winning school in each State and the combined Territories (ACT, NT and the External Territories) will be awarded a book prize and framed certificate. These prizes are based on the scores of school’s best 5 students under 16 and best 5 students 16 years and over.
Completely separate to this are the incentive prizes . Schools entering at least 20% of their total secondary school enrolment have the opportunity to win one of the incentive prizes, including over $6000 of Promethean products. At least one of the prizes will be won by a school that hasn’t entered the Competition in any of the last three years. To take part in this promotion schools answer a question on the entry form. For a full list of prizes click here .
What is the Final for under 16s all about?
Students under 16 years old on 31 August 2012 who top their State or the combined Territories (ACT, NT and the External Territories), plus the student receiving the next highest score in Australia, win a place at the Final for under 16s, as long as they are not in Year 12. The Final will be held in Sydney on 18 June 2012 at Foxtel Television Centre, and filmed. It is an oral competition held before an audience. Costs (airfares, accommodation, meals, entertainment) of participation in the Final, and in the prize weekend preceding it, are met by the organisers. The prizes decided by the Final are:
- First: all-expenses-paid trip to the 2013 National Geographic World Championship in St Petersburg, Russia; $300; book prize; certificate
- Second: play-off with second-placed student from 2013 for trip to the 2013 National Geographic World Championship; $200; book prize; certificate
- Third: $100; book prize; certificate
What is Geography’s Big Week Out?
For students competing in the senior level, who are in Year 11 or lower, the highest-scoring male and female students in each State and the combined Territories (ACT, NT and the External Territories) each win a place at Geography’s Big Week Out . The event is a mix of stimulating and hands-on geography activities designed to challenge and extend high-performing senior students. The 2012 Big Week Out will be held on Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, from 30 September to 5 October. Costs (airfares, accommodation, meals, entertainment) of participation in the Big Week Out are met by the organisers.
The four members of Australia’s team to the 2013 International Geography Olympiad in Kyoto, Japan will be selected based on students’ performances during the Big Week Out. Australia’s team to the 2012 International Geography Olympiad in Germany is being selected from participants in the 2011 Big Week Out.
Can home schools enter the Competition?
Yes, we accept entries from home schools and there is no minimum entry fee. Home schools should use the online entry form and pay online at the same time as entering. Students must complete the Competition under test conditions. See the supervision FAQ above.
Can I get paper copies of past question booklets?
Low resolution versions of past Competition questions can be downloaded . Schools may obtain single paper copies from past years by sending to us an A4-sized stamped envelope addressed to a school.
