"The Regionals consists of 3 preliminary rounds, each with 30 questions, and 1 Final Round, likewise with 30 questions. All students play in all preliminary rounds; the scores are then added together to determine placement. Typically 20-50% of students then make the Final Round to determine the Regional Champion in each age division".
So that suggests some of the preliminary rounds may have a LOT of kids participating
"So that suggests that some of the preliminary rounds may have a LOT of kids participating"
Not sure if it's clear, but individuals won't see more than than ~8 others in their room at a time
So say that there are 40 kids competing in an age division; they'll be shuffled into four rooms of 10 and then each room will be read the same 30 questions. Then they'll reshuffle the players between the rooms to play the second prelim round (another 30 questions), and then again for the third round. And then after all three preliminary rounds, the top ~10 students (enough to fill one room) will make it to the final.
I already have my first correction:
"The Regionals consists of 3 preliminary rounds, each with 30 questions, and 1 Final Round, likewise with 30 questions. All students play in all preliminary rounds; the scores are then added together to determine placement. Typically 20-50% of students then make the Final Round to determine the Regional Champion in each age division".
So that suggests some of the preliminary rounds may have a LOT of kids participating
"So that suggests that some of the preliminary rounds may have a LOT of kids participating"
Not sure if it's clear, but individuals won't see more than than ~8 others in their room at a time
So say that there are 40 kids competing in an age division; they'll be shuffled into four rooms of 10 and then each room will be read the same 30 questions. Then they'll reshuffle the players between the rooms to play the second prelim round (another 30 questions), and then again for the third round. And then after all three preliminary rounds, the top ~10 students (enough to fill one room) will make it to the final.