Stage 1: ORQE

students during an examinationThe first phase of the National History Bee competition is the Online Regional Qualifying Exam (ORQE).

Four students from each School Registration may participate in the Online Regional Qualifying Exam. Every student under an Individual Registration will participate in the ORQE.

While it is the prerogative of each school to determine how those four students are selected, we welcome schools to choose their participating students based on their performance in an Intramural Bee.

The two components of the Intramural Bee are the Written Test and the Oral Competition. The Written Test is a 70-question multiple choice test intended for larger groups, while the Oral Competition is a 90-minute event where a smaller group of students are asked questions aloud, often in front of an audience. Our suggested rules for the Intramural Bee can be found here. We also have sample questions for the Written Test and Oral CompetitionAll of the official materials and instructions for an Intramural Bee will be accessible under the Sponsor Menu tab from October 15th to January 31st.

The four students from each registered school along with all Individual Registrants will take the the Online Regional Qualifying Exam (ORQE) in January, 2014. The ORQE is a multiple choice exam administered through the National History Bee website under the supervision of the Sponsor. Instructions for the ORQE can be found under the Sponsor Menu during January. The top 120 scorers on the ORQE from each region advance to the Regional Finals.

If you're a bit older, or looking for even more history competition, check out our high school division click here
We are pleased to announce that registration is already open for the 2012-2013 National History Bee! You are just a few clicks away from having your child or student join the intensity and fun of America's greatest history competition REGISTER HERE

Want to see sample questions? Want some suggestions on what to study? Want to see how your students would do in the National History Bee? Check our Resources Page!