Studying specifically for HSNCT
Studying specifically for HSNCT
So what packets should I study to specifically prepare for HSNCT? Should I purchase old HSNCT packets to study or will I be better off just studying previous PACE and Acf fall/regionals packets?
Sujai Arakali
Troy High School '16
Troy High School '16
- UlyssesInvictus
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Re: Studying specifically for HSNCT
I found that preparing yourself for the style of play is more helpful than just studying blindly--play timed rounds, read shorter questions, give yourself less time to answer. I don't know if HSNCT still has math comp, but break out the pencils if it does.
But in general, if you study, you study--everything comes up eventually.
But in general, if you study, you study--everything comes up eventually.
Raynor Kuang
quizdb.org
Harvard 2017, TJHSST 2013
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Re: Studying specifically for HSNCT
HSNCT has computational bonuses (but not tossups).UlyssesInvictus wrote:I don't know if HSNCT still has math comp
Jeff Hoppes
President, Northern California Quiz Bowl Alliance
former HSQB Chief Admin (2012-13)
VP for Communication and history subject editor, NAQT
Editor emeritus, ACF
"I wish to make some kind of joke about Jeff's love of birds, but I always fear he'll turn them on me Hitchcock-style." -Fred
President, Northern California Quiz Bowl Alliance
former HSQB Chief Admin (2012-13)
VP for Communication and history subject editor, NAQT
Editor emeritus, ACF
"I wish to make some kind of joke about Jeff's love of birds, but I always fear he'll turn them on me Hitchcock-style." -Fred
Re: Studying specifically for HSNCT
I've personally written several hundred questions for the HSNCT in the last few years, including this current year. When I write questions for NAQT, I use the same standards for clues as when I write for my ACF submissions, or for PACE.
So yeah, if something comes up in ACF Fall 2015, it can easily come up in this year's HSNCT. Of course, it could always be helpful to buy copies of past HSNCTs anyways-- just make sure not to go too far back, as the quality of older sets may not be so great. The HSNCTs for 2015, 2014, and 2013 would be the most relevant for your purposes.
So yeah, if something comes up in ACF Fall 2015, it can easily come up in this year's HSNCT. Of course, it could always be helpful to buy copies of past HSNCTs anyways-- just make sure not to go too far back, as the quality of older sets may not be so great. The HSNCTs for 2015, 2014, and 2013 would be the most relevant for your purposes.
Corry Wang
Arcadia High School 2013
Amherst College 2017
NAQT Writer and Subject Editor
Arcadia High School 2013
Amherst College 2017
NAQT Writer and Subject Editor
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Re: Studying specifically for HSNCT
If you've already played or read the last few years' HSNCTs, note that the difficulty level is intended to be between that of SCT-II and ICT-II, so those can also serve as useful practice material.
Jon Pinyan
Coach, Bergen County Academies (NJ); former player for BCA (2000-03) and WUSTL (2003-07)
HSQB forum mod, PACE member
Stat director for: NSC '13-'15, '17; ACF '14, '17, '19; NHBB '13-'15; NASAT '11
"A [...] wizard who controls the weather" - Jerry Vinokurov
Coach, Bergen County Academies (NJ); former player for BCA (2000-03) and WUSTL (2003-07)
HSQB forum mod, PACE member
Stat director for: NSC '13-'15, '17; ACF '14, '17, '19; NHBB '13-'15; NASAT '11
"A [...] wizard who controls the weather" - Jerry Vinokurov
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Re: Studying specifically for HSNCT
I definitely agree with other folks in this thread who have said that preparing with HSNCT timing and pace is more important than preparing with HSNCT packets. One thing I will add, however, is that NAQT has much more trash, current events and geography in its distribution than mACF style tournaments. While I still don't think anyone's developed a method of studying trash effectively (please no one do this), studying the major events from the last year, and especially the last few months, as well as geography, will get you a lot of points and give you somewhat of an edge against teams that are stronger in mACF-style core categories.
Jarret Greene
South Range '10 / Ohio State '13 / Vermont '17
South Range '10 / Ohio State '13 / Vermont '17
Re: Studying specifically for HSNCT
Would the 2011 HSNCT set be a valid question set to study from or is it too old?
Sujai Arakali
Troy High School '16
Troy High School '16
Re: Studying specifically for HSNCT
That's probably fine. This is my own opinion (I don't represent NAQT in any capacity), but I think 2011 should actually be the cutoff- all of the HSNCTs before 2011 tend to be more esoteric and wacky than they are now, for reasons that I don't need to get into here.araksuj wrote:Would the 2011 HSNCT set be a valid question set to study from or is it too old?
Corry Wang
Arcadia High School 2013
Amherst College 2017
NAQT Writer and Subject Editor
Arcadia High School 2013
Amherst College 2017
NAQT Writer and Subject Editor