2010 HSNCT Survey

This survey was based on 870 responses from 732 players, 105 coaches, 12 “others,” and 21 respondents who did not specify their role.

Distribution

This first question asked respondents to indicate whether they would like to see “lots fewer,” “fewer,” ”the same number,” “more,” or “lots more” questions in each of NAQT’s top-level subject divisions.

Category Percent Lots Fewer Fewer Same More Lots More
Current Events 7.2% 11% 17% 39% 21% 13%
Fine Arts 6.4% 9% 13% 36% 26% 15%
Geography 7.8% 12% 19% 36% 20% 13%
General Knowledge/Mixed 5.6% 7% 10% 39% 26% 17%
History 19.1% 4% 12% 49% 20% 14%
Literature 17.1% 13% 18% 39% 19% 10%
Mythology 2.0% 7% 9% 36% 28% 20%
Popular Culture 4.9% 17% 16% 25% 19% 21%
Philosophy 1.8% 8% 16% 41% 21% 13%
Science/Math 22.7% 14% 22% 33% 15% 15%
Sports 2.4% 25% 17% 28% 14% 15%
Social Science 2.7% 5% 12% 44% 25% 14%

Difficulty

The second question asked respondents to indicate whether they thought the questions in those subject areas were “too hard,” “about right,” or “too easy.”

Category Too easy About right Too hard
Current Events 2% 81% 17%
Fine Arts 3% 71% 26%
Geography 3% 72% 25%
General Knowledge/Mixed 5% 85% 10%
History 3% 78% 20%
Literature 2% 57% 41%
Mythology 5% 75% 20%
Popular Culture 10% 73% 17%
Philosophy 4% 71% 25%
Science 4% 58% 37%
Sports 7% 69% 24%
Social Science 5% 77% 19%

Computational Math

The survey also asked for feedback on NAQT’s decision to eliminate computational tossups from the HSNCT. Here is the exact question:

NAQT eliminated computation tossups at this year’s tournament, replacing them with computation bonuses (one per packet) and additional theoretical math. How would you like to see computational math represented at the HSNCT level in the future?
47.2%
No computational math at all
13.9%
One computational bonus per packet
8.8%
One computation tossup or bonus per packet
13.3%
One computation tossup and one bonus per packet
16.8%
More than 1/1 per packet

2011 HSNCT Site

Respondents were also asked to evaluate seven potential cities in terms of how interested they would be in attending an HSNCT located there. The final answer (“None”) indicated that respondent would probably choose not to attend a tournament in that city.

City High Average Low None
Atlanta 20% 29% 24% 26%
Chicago 52% 31% 11% 6%
Dallas 15% 24% 29% 32%
Los Angeles 28% 14% 22% 36%
Minneapolis 19% 30% 29% 22%
St. Louis 25% 35% 21% 18%
Washington, D.C. 45% 25% 14% 16%

Download Survey Form

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Download Raw Data

A comma-delimited file containing all the survey responses is available for anyone wishing to delve more deeply into the results.

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