FAQs

What is Academic WorldQuest?

Academic WorldQuest, the World Affairs Councils of America's flagship student education program, is a team competition testing high school students' knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture. The main objective of the program is to inform and engage high school students and their teachers across the country in global affairs. Over 4,000 students compete in regional Academic WorldQuest competitions hosted by World Affairs Councils across the United States. The Regional Champions then compete in the National Competition, held during the spring of each year in Washington, DC.

How does Academic WorldQuest work?

World Affairs Councils host regional competitions all around the country. High school students, organized in teams of four, represent their school and compete by answering 10 rounds of multiple choice questions on critical global issues. A study guide is provided with detailed resources on each category to help students and the team adviser (usually a teacher) prepare for the competition. Questions for the competition are drawn from the resources in the study guide. Winning teams are invited to represent their high school, city, and local council at the National Competition, held in the spring of each year in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. This special weekend includes the competition as well as substantive programming planned to enhance the global education experience.

Why is Academic WorldQuest important?

One of the greatest challenges facing our nation and our schools across the country is preparing our youth for the globally interconnected world of the 21st century. America’s ability to face the economic and security challenges of the 21st century and seize new opportunities is dependent on an educated and informed citizenry and workforce. But current research shows reason for concern. American students are performing well below students in other developed nations in science and math and are also lacking in basic knowledge of world history, international geography and global issues. The mission of Academic WorldQuest is to help close this gap and prepare the next generation of American decision-makers and opinion leaders to thrive in tomorrow's world, where our national interests and policies are deeply intertwined with those of the greater global community.

What are the benefits of participating?

Academic WorldQuest prepares students for international studies and careers working within the global economy. The topics are compatible with and enhance the study of many existing curricula and AP courses while contributing to the national Common Core State Standards Initiative by fostering reading comprehension skills for informational text.