Texas Academic Decathlon Events
Texas Academic Decathlon offers four distinct competition programs, each designed to challenge students across different experience levels and grade configurations.
Our Four Competition Programs
Each program follows its own schedule of scrimmage, regional, state, and national-level competitions throughout the academic year.
10
Decathlon
Nine-member team · All GPA divisions
The flagship Academic Decathlon event. Nine-student teams compete across ten subjects, plus the live Super Quiz round. Objective Events: Art, Economics, Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, and Social Science. Subjective Events: Essay, Interview, and Speech. Open to students in all three GPA divisions.
Decathlon Details →8
Octathlon
Freshmen & sophomores · Eight events
The Octathlon introduces high school academic competition to freshmen and sophomores through eight subject areas. This program develops the skills and study habits that prepare students for the Decathlon as upperclassmen.
Octathlon Details →5
Pentathlon
6th–8th Grade · Five events
The Pentathlon challenges younger students in five subject areas, building foundational academic competition skills. This program serves as an accessible entry point for students and schools new to academic competition.
Pentathlon Details →★
Lone Star Challenge
Texas-exclusive · Grades 4–6
The Lone Star Challenge is an academic competition for Texas-only elementary students in grades 4-6.
LSC Details →How Competitions Are Organized
Academic Decathlon competitions progress through multiple levels, giving teams the opportunity to advance from local meets all the way to the national competition.
Scrimmage Meets
Unofficial practice competitions held in the fall semester. Excellent preparation for teams new to the program or warming up for the regional season.
Regional Competition
The official qualifying round held across multiple regions of Texas in the spring. Top teams advance to the State Competitions.
State & National
The State Competitions crown the best teams in Texas. State winners advance to represent Texas at the national USAD Competitions.