Volunteer Opportunities
Academic Decathlon depends on community volunteers. Judges, proctors, and timekeepers make competition day possible for thousands of students.
Volunteer Roles
Choose the role that fits your interests and availability. No prior Academic Decathlon experience is required — training is provided for every role.
Interview Judges
Interview judges meet one-on-one with competitors to evaluate communication skills, poise, and depth of knowledge through a structured interview format. No subject-matter expertise is required — judges are trained on the scoring rubric before competition day.
Interview judging typically takes a half day and is one of the most rewarding ways to interact directly with student competitors.
What to Expect
Speech Judges & Timekeepers
Speech judges evaluate students' prepared and impromptu speeches using a standardized rubric covering content, delivery, and organization. Timekeepers track speech length and provide time signals to competitors, helping events run smoothly and fairly.
These roles pair well — many volunteers sign up as part of a small team for a single event session.
What to Expect
Test Proctors
Test proctors administer the subject area multiple-choice exams, ensuring testing conditions are fair and consistent across all rooms. Proctors monitor testing rooms, distribute and collect materials, and follow standardized testing procedures.
This is a great entry-point role for first-time volunteers, requiring no specialized evaluation skills.
What to Expect
Super Quiz Proctors
Super Quiz is the high-energy, live relay-format round watched by spectators, families, and teammates. Proctors help run the event, manage team rotations, track scoring, and keep the round moving on schedule.
It's one of the most exciting volunteer roles on competition day — a great fit for those who enjoy a fast-paced, audience-facing environment.
What to Expect
Region & State Volunteer Schedule (Tentative)
Dates below are tentative and subject to change. Confirmed schedules are sent to registered volunteers via email.
Jan
13
Region Essays
Various locations
Jan
29
Region Competition (Jan 29–30)
Various locations
Feb
10
State Essays
In school
Feb
26
State Competitions (Feb 26–28)
Various locations
Volunteer Registration
Ready to help? Register as a volunteer and let us know which roles and dates work for your schedule.
Register to Volunteer