Rules · effective 14 September 2026
Challenge rules
These public rules apply to the 2026/27 series. The purchased Challenge workspace may add operational instructions for a particular sitting.
1. Eligibility and entry
A participant must be in school education and within the selected market’s maximum level for that Challenge. There is no lower age limit. A pupil may enter more than one Challenge if eligible. Higher-education students may not enter.
2. Formats and timing
Primary contains 50 questions; Junior, Intermediate and Senior each contain 100. Each sitting lasts 30 minutes unless an authorised access arrangement changes a pupil’s time. Questions have four answer choices and one mark is awarded for each correct answer.
3. Procedure and security
Only authorised school staff may access controlled materials and credentials. They may use them only for the entered sitting and must keep questions, answers and discussion confidential until 24 hours after the Challenge closes.
4. Supervision and conduct
An authorised adult supervises throughout. Pupils work independently. Staff may explain procedure but must not interpret or answer a question. Calculators and measuring instruments are not permitted; rough paper is permitted. Pupils use a B or HB pencil on paper answer sheets.
5. Online and paper return
Schools complete the System Check before an online sitting; pupils use school-issued credentials. Paper entrants use files printed by the school and return answer sheets exactly as the active workspace instructs. Schools must record interruptions, suspected malpractice or return problems promptly.
6. Access arrangements
Schools should request arrangements at least two weeks before Challenge day. BMSAQ can support a pupil’s normal school arrangements where practical, including authorised extra time, amplification, braille or enlarged material, overlays, OCR and alternative formats.
7. Privacy, media and intellectual property
Schools share only the information needed to administer the Challenge and must have authority for any pupil image or media use. Questions, papers, answers and certificates remain protected BMSAQ material and may not be copied, sold or published beyond the permission supplied.
8. Incidents and decisions
BMSAQ may investigate security, conduct or eligibility concerns, request evidence, withhold or correct a result, or disqualify an entry where fairness requires. The school may ask for a review by emailing info@bmsaq.com with the Challenge and relevant facts but no passwords or access codes.
9. Version and changes
Version 2.0, effective 14 September 2026. Material changes are dated here; changes do not retrospectively alter a completed sitting.
Related documents: Terms · Privacy notice · Accessibility statement. Back to top