Timing Rules

38. Timing of the game begins after the Moderator has identified the subject area of the first toss-up question.

39. The first half of the game is played until either the time expires (six {6} minutes) or all the designated toss-up questions have been read (10 questions). The team will go directly into the Team Challenge Questions after the end of the first buzzer half.

40. The break occurs while the teams’ answer sheets are being graded in the Judges’ Appeals Room and may last longer than two (2) minutes, but must be a minimum of two (2) minutes. However, no one (students or audience members) can leave or enter the room during this break.

41. Upon beginning the second half, the Moderator will start where the previous buzzer half ended (i.e. the moderator ended at question #5, so s/he begins the second half on question #6. The half will continue for six (6) minutes or until a total of 20 questions have been answered.

42. After reading a toss-up question, five (5) seconds will be allowed for the teams to buzz in before the moderator proceeds to the next toss-up question. Timing of the five (5) seconds begins after the Moderator has completed reading answer Z of the toss-up question.

• If a player buzzes in and blurts, or otherwise answers incorrectly, the question passes to the opposing team, which has five (5) seconds to buzz in before the Moderator moves on to the next toss-up question.

43. A participant who has buzzed in on a toss-up question must answer the question promptly after being verbally recognized by the Moderator. After recognizing a participant, the Moderator will allow for a natural pause (up to three {3} seconds) for an answer. If the Moderator determines that stalling occurred, the team loses its opportunity to answer the toss-up question and the question is offered to the opposing team if eligible.

44. On bonus questions, the team captain will have 20 seconds after the moderator finishes reading the question to begin to give his or her answer to the bonus question.

45. On a bonus question, the signal “5 SECONDS” will be given by the Timekeeper after 15 seconds of the allowed 20 seconds have expired. In addition, the Timekeeper will indicate the end of the 20-second bonus period by saying “TIME.” If the team captain has not begun the response before the Timekeeper calls “TIME,” the answer does not count. If the team captain has begun the response, (s)he may complete the answer.

• No stalling may occur. If the Moderator determines that stalling occurred the team will lose the opportunity to respond to the question.

46. On a Team Challenge Question, each team will have at least two (2) minutes to write out their answer on paper. The amount of time given to answer a Team Challenge Question is relative to the difficulty and complexity of the question and will be announced by the Moderator prior to time being started. The Timekeeper will call two warnings: “45 SECONDS” when there are 45 seconds left and “15 SECONDS” when there are 15 seconds remaining. When time has elapsed, the Timekeeper will call “TIME, PENCILS DOWN” and all writing must then cease. The team captain will hand in the answer sheet.

• Results will be announced, and scores recorded, at the beginning of the second half before the first toss-up question. (Timing for the second half will begin when the moderator has identified the subject area of the next toss-up question.)