Challenge Process & Key Dates
It's important that all students and organisers are aware of the key dates illustrated below. If you require help or further information on the dates or processes listed below please contact info@bmsaq.com.
How it works
Oh. So. Simple
Register your school
Purchase entries
Sit challenge
Receive results
Online Challenge
The online format allows students to use a computer, laptop, or tablet to compete. It's easy to use and students can practice using the online platform from our website, at any time.
Logging in:
After you purchase entries, we will email you a list of individual usernames and passwords that students can use to access the Challenge.
Let students know that they can attempt the questions in any order and can always go back to change an answer. Their answers will be saved immediately. At the end of the Challenge, they must select the 'submit' option beneath question 80.
Please note: Teachers are fully responsible for ensuring students are not allocated more than 35 minutes to complete the Challenge (unless a student requires extra).
Once your students have finished, you do not need to do anything further.
Paper Challenge
Students can sit the challenge on paper booklets, similar to a formal exam. There's no need to worry about printing! Before the exam, we will post the question and answer sheets to your school. The Challenge should be sat in school and under exam conditions, with no exceptions.
Students must record their answers on a separate multiple-choice answer sheet. A template of this answer sheet can be viewed before the challenge here. Students will need to fill in their candidate number (which will be emailed to you) on the answer sheet.
After the challenge, you must scan each student's answer sheet and download them to your computer. You must email this file to BMSAQ before the deadline closes. You do not need to upload any question booklets or rough worksheets. These can be kept safe until the results are released, when you may return them to students (if wished).
When sitting the Challenge
The Invigilator must:
Ensure all question papers remain covered until the start time.
Ensure the time allowed for all BMSAQ Challenges is 35 minutes, for student's not eligible for extra-time (student's eligible of extra time shall recieve an additional 25% of challenge time).
Ensure students are seated exam style, so that it is hard to see where others are placing/selecting their answers.
Collect the answer sheets and any rough working after the Challenge has finished and retain them until results are released, in case of technical and uploading errors (paper Challenges only).
Collect the question papers back in from students after the Challenge and only release them back to the students after the results are released (paper Challenges only).
Do not clarify questions or give further information to participating students.
The student must:
Ensure their correct personal details are accurately shown on their answer sheets, including name
(paper based Challenges only).
Ensure they enter their name and year group correctly (Online Challenges only).
Carefully read the instructions before starting the Challenge.
Instructions:
The use of blank paper for rough working is allowed.
Squared paper, calculators and measuring instruments are forbidden.
Use a B or HB non-propelling pencil.
There are four sections within the paper. In order, these include: Geography, Science & Nature, History & Politics, and Culture. The questions in each topic will be arranged in order of increasing difficulty. The final part of each topic will include a visual element, with 4 related marks.
To accommodate candidates in taking the exam at other times, please do not discuss any aspect of the paper (including on the internet) until 48 hours after the exam date.
Key dates
Junior Challenge Key Dates
Entry Deadline for Paper Format Challenge: 24th April 2025
Entry Deadline for Online Format Challenge: 8th May 2025
Challenge Date: 15th May 2025
Results Issued: ~5th June 2025
Intermediate Challenge Key Dates
Entry Deadline for Paper Format Challenge: 13th February 2025
Entry Deadline for Online Format Challenge: 27th February 2025
Challenge Date: 6th March 2025
Results Issued: ~3rd April 2025
Senior Challenge Key Dates
Entry Deadline for Paper Format Challenge: 24th October 2024
Entry Deadline for Online Format Challenge: 7th November 2024
Challenge Date: 14th November 2024
Results Issued: ~28th November 2024
Challenge Calendar
Download our complete Challenge calendar and always stay ahead of our important deadlines.
FAQs
Do I need to print out challenge papers?
No, we print and deliver all papers. All papers should arrive at your school at least one week before the challenge date. If your papers have not arrived at least one week before the challenge you should contact us immediately. We will be able to rectify the issue and provide peace of mind.
Are there any access arrangements for students entitled to extra time?
BMSAQ will award candidates who normally receive additional time for any formal UK/ Ireland recognised exam to receive an additional 25% extra time in all papers because of their impairment which substantially impacts upon a student's reading, writing and processing skills. The member of staff organising the BMSAQ within a college must lead on awarding the access arrangement of extra time within his/her centre.
More information regarding access arrangements can be found on our 'Teacher's Information' webpage here.
How does scoring work?
All BMSAQ Challenges have a possible 80 marks which students can achieve. Each question is worth one mark. There are NO marks deducted for a wrong answer.
What can I use to compete in the Challenge
The Challenge can be completed in a paper format or online. If you choose to compete using the online format, students will need to have a computer, laptop or tablet.
How do I pay for the question papers?
When ordering your challenges we will ask you to provide an email for us to invoice. This can be your email or your school's finance office. After you confirm your order we will send an invoice to the email you have specified. Invoices can be paid via BACS or cheque.
When and how do I submit my students' answer sheets?
You must scan and send your student's answer sheets to us on the day they sit the challenge. On the day of the Challenge, we will send you an email reminder.
How do I scan my students answer sheets?
Firstly, you will need to scan the paper answer sheets to your computer. Your files can be up to 100MB. This should be more than enough to upload all your answer sheets in 1 file, however, if not you will need to put them into several different files and send them together. It does not matter what these files are called.
Tips:
Use a sheet-fed scanner to create a PDF file
Do NOT use a cell phone PDF scanner app, which will alter the layout and hide glare marks.
Scan papers between 100-300 PPI
Scan in Grayscale, black and white or colour.
One answer sheet per page
Maximum File Size of 100MB
Please note: Do not upload any rough work, blank sheets, seating plans or answer booklets.
Can my students take home their answer booklets or answer sheets?
No, your students must not take home any materials on the day of the challenge. This is to accommodate any schools who may be taking the challenge at another time.
However, if you wish to hold these materials in a safe location, students can collect them after results have been released. This is not mandatory.