Rules

1. General Rules

1.1    BM Schools Academic Quiz is organised and sponsored by the BM Schools Academic Quiz Organisation whose decision on all matters relating to the Challenge will be final.

1.2    Entries and all associated paperwork must be submitted online in accordance with the instructions set out on the entry form. Postal entries will not be considered.

1.3    The challenge date assigned to each Challenge is final. Any entries past the respective paper/ online entry dates are strictly processed under the discretion of BMSAQ and may be subject to online participation only. Closing dates for entries are specific to each Challenge and can be found on each Challenge's webpage.

1.4    Students enrolled with a recognised school in the UK or Ireland, whose final possible award in respect of that school has not yet been achieved for the current academic year, are eligible to participate. All entrants must conform to specific BMSAQ Challenge requirements including year group restrictions.

1.5    Students attending any form of Higher Education (e.g University, Third Level Colleges, etc.) are NOT eligible to enter.

1.6    Students are permitted to enter any and all Challenges they are elligble for. As there is no lower age limit on any BMSAQ Challenge, students may enter more than one Challenge each academic series. 

2. Challenge Procedure

2.1   The Challenge series is divided into three age categories. Participants must ensure they are eligible to participate in each Challenge before doing so. 

2.2  The Invigilator must:

● Ensure students are seated exam style, so that it is hard to see where others are placing/selecting their answers.

● Ensure a record of which student belongs to each Student ID is kept (preferably using our template);

● Ensure a written/ online/ photo seating plan is recorded.

● Read the invigilator’s announcement;

● Check that students have all the materials they need for the Challenge.

● Instruct students about emergency procedures;

Paper Format only:

● Ensure a clock or timer is clearly visible to all students (and remain visible during the Challenge);

● Ensure the time allowed for all BMSAQ Challenges is 30 minutes.

● Tell the candidates about any erratum notices;

● Ensure all question papers remain covered until the start time.

2.3 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.

• Calculators and measuring instruments are forbidden.

• Use a B or HB non-propelling pencil.

• There are five sections within the paper. In order, these include: Geography & Our World, Science & Nature, History & Politics, Culture, and General Knowledge. 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 24 hours after the exam date. 

2.4  The BMSAQ Inspection Service may visit any school on the day of a Challenge to check on compliance to our Instructions and Rules. We intend to provide notice to the selected schools (via direct contact to the school organiser) before 08:00 on the Challenge Date.

3. Access Arrangements

3.1 The following arrangements may be provided to a candidate at the time of his/her examinations without prior approval:

• 25% extra time (for candidates who are normally entitled to extra time in school)

• amplification equipment;

• braillers;

• closed circuit television (CCTV);

• coloured overlays;

• low vision aid/magnifier;

• optical character reader (OCR) scanners.

The member of staff organising the BMSAQ within an academic institution, must lead on awarding the access arrangements illustrated above within his/her centre.

3.2 Each Challenge is available in a paper and online format. If a candidate requires enlarged text or an alternative format of a Challenge please contact BMSAQ.

3.3 Other access arrangements (including scribes and prompters) must be approved by BMSAQ at least 2 weeks before the Challenge date. Please contact BMSAQ via email to enquire. 

4. Privacy (Content, Photography and Film)

4.1    BMSAQ will comply with its obligations as a data processor in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. BMSAQ will use your personal information only as set out in our privacy notice which you can find here https://www.bmsaq.com/more/privacy-notice. 

If you have any further questions or comments concerning your privacy, wish to access the personal data held about you, delete, or update information we hold about you, contact info@bmsaq.com.

4.2 BMSAQ may record footage for use on its broadcast channels, online, in social media and for marketing purposes. Any participants whom's images are used will be required to give written agreement (or by a responsible party ie. teacher or parent) to the release of any footage/ images by the BMSAQ team.

5. Intellectual property rights

5.1   All intellectual property rights either pre-existing or created in relation to or as part of the Challenge shall remain the absolute property of that party or its licensors.

6. Refer a Friend Terms and Conditions

7. Contacting Us

7.1   If you would like any more information about taking part, please contact the BMSAQ office by email (info@bmsaq.com) and we will be happy to advise you.

Good Luck!

Yours sincerely,

BM Schools Academic Quiz

Office email: info@bmsaq.com