Qualifying for the MSNCT
Automatic Qualification
There are three ways in which a school may automatically qualify for the NAQT Middle School National Championship Tournament (MSNCT):
Finishing in the top 15% of the field at a middle school varsity tournament using NAQT questions. A list of upcoming events is available on the NAQT website. This computation "rounds up," so a tournament with 15 teams results in three (2.25 rounded up) invitations. This includes traditional one-day tournaments, quiz bowl leagues, televised tournaments, and all other events that use questions provided by NAQT whether or not they use NAQT's official format and rules. In general, every team tied for a spot in the top 15% receives an invitation, though NAQT reserves the right to break ties reported by the host at its own discretion (and so award fewer berths). NAQT also reserves the right to declare individual tournaments as "non-qualifiers" if they have eligibility policies designed to exclude teams or players on the basis of ability.
Winning any class or division of a state championship with rules and questions similar to those of NAQT. Such a state championship need not be self-described as "quiz bowl."
Teams of players eligible for the MSNCT that qualify for the High School National Championship Tournament (HSNCT) at a high school tournament will also be invited to the MSNCT.
If a tournament divides its field into varsity and junior varsity divisions (or similar divisions based on skill) that don't compete against each other, then only teams from the varsity division may qualify for the MSNCT, but the number that qualify will be equal to 15% of the total field from both divisions. If there are 10 varsity and 10 junior-varsity teams, then a total of 3 teams will qualify ((10 + 10) x 15% = 3), but they will all come from the varsity division. Winners of junior varsity divisions are encouraged to apply for wildcards.
If a tournament divides its field into divisions based on school size and/or school type (e.g., public versus private) that don't compete against each other, then each division will be considered a separate tournament for the sake of qualification. If 10 "class A" schools and 16 "class B" schools attend, then two (10 x (15%) = 1.5, rounds to 2) "class A" schools and three (16 x (15%) = 2.4, rounds to 3) "class B" schools will qualify for the MSNCT.
In order to qualify multiple teams from the same school for the MSNCT, they must attend the same tournament and qualify independently. Teams that qualify at different tournaments--even if composed of entirely different students--do not provide their school with more than one berth at the MSNCT. Wildcard consideration will be given to additional teams from the same school that have demonstrated a high quality of play throughout the year.
NAQT reserves the right to designate additional tournaments as qualifiers for the MSNCT as it sees fit.
Wildcard Qualification
Beginning January 1 of each year, NAQT accepts "wildcard" applications from schools that did not qualify under the above criteria but whose teams have demonstrated a high quality of play in academic competition throughout the year. Particular consideration will be given to schools that, for geographical regions, had difficulty attending NAQT tournaments.
NAQT reserves the right to accept wildcard applications at any time after they have been submitted; that is, NAQT may accept particularly strong applications immediately but may postpone making a decision on others until further tournaments have completed or it has a better idea how many MSNCT spots will be taken by automatic qualifiers. Teams may inquire as to the status of their request at any time. NAQT understands that wildcard teams need to know whether or not they can attend the tournament as soon as possible and will make every effort to contact teams as soon as a final decision has been made about their request.
Since there are still, relative to our high school program, a limited number of events offering automatic qualification, NAQT plans a relatively lenient wildcard policy. We strongly encourage teams interested in the national championship to submit requests.
Schools should contact NAQT to seek wildcard berths by e-mail at msnct@naqt.com or by phone at 1.888.411.6278.
Standby Teams
Teams located near the tournament site may be interested in attending on a standby basis. Standby teams are not guaranteed a spot in the field, but if there is a last-minute cancellation, they'll replace the missing team without paying a registration fee.
Miscellaneous
Tournament directors may allow teams composed of students from different schools to compete (and possibly even win) their events, but such mixed teams are ineligible to receive MSNCT bids and will not be counted to determine the size of the event's field.