Contest Categories and Sample Questions
Contest Age Groups
Apprentice—1st and 2nd grades
Freshman—3rd and 4th grades
Sophomore—5th and 6th grades
Junior Varsity—7th, 8th and 9th grades
Varsity—10th, 11th and 12th grades
Taking a Contest That Is Below a Student's Grade Level
Only students who take the preliminary contest in contracted braille that corresponds to their age-appropriate academic grade level will be eligible to be invited to the Finals. However, to encourage full inclusion and maximum participation in the preliminary round, a student may take any level of contest. Also, the Apprentice preliminary contest is offered in uncontracted braille and also can be taken by students of any age.
Braille Speed and Accuracy
(Sophomore, Junior Varsity, Varsity)
In this event, contestants listen to a recorded story and must transcribe it into braille. Contestants are ranked from lowest to highest, based on the number of correct words (including punctuation) they transcribe from the page. A point is subtracted for each word that contains one or more mistakes, including missing or extra words.
The Braille Challenge® Speed and Accuracy Contests are distributed as MP3 files on SD cards, to be played on one of two approved audio players: the VictorReader Stream, manufactured by Humanware, and the Bookport Plus, distributed by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Click here for details and instructions on the basic use these two players.
Click here to download sample Speed and Accuracy contests.
Braille Spelling
(Apprentice and Freshman)
Contestants are asked to spell braille vocabulary words correctly. Points are earned for each correctly spelled word. Extra points are given for additionally brailling the contracted version of the word correctly.
Click here to download sample Braille Spelling contests.
Chart and Graph Reading
(Sophomore, Junior Varsity and Varsity)
Contestants read raised-line images called tactile graphs and earn points by correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions about the content. Contestants are ranked based on the most points earned.
Click here to download sample Chart and Graph Reading contests.
Proofreading
(All)
Contestants read a series of braille sentences, some with grammar, punctuation or spelling errors. Contestants are asked to choose the multiple-choice option that is brailled correctly.
Click here to download sample Proofreading contests.
Reading Comprehension
(All)
Contestants read a story in braille to themselves and then answer 10 multiple-choice questions. Based on the content, contestants are ranked in order based on the number of questions they can answer correctly.
Click here to download sample Reading Comprehension contests.