Big Science Competition: Frequently asked questions
- Who should enter the BSC?
- Can schools from outside Australia enter?
- What sort of questions are in the papers?
- Who sets the questions and what do they test?
- How much does it cost?
- How long is the Competition?
- Is there a minimum number of students my school can enter?
- Can individual students enter?
- Can my school register by fax or on the phone?
- How do I pay?
- How do I pay by cheque?
- How should I manage the Competition in my school?
- How do I encourage students (and their parents) to enter the Competition?
- How are the papers delivered to schools?
- What should students bring into the test?
- What do I do with the answer sheets after the test?
- What do I do with the question booklets after the test?
- What certificates do students receive?
- What sort of reports do teachers receive?
- Can my school do the Competition on a different date?
- Once I have entered the Competition, can I change the number of students?
- How do I claim a refund?
- When will the results be announced?
- Will there be award ceremonies to recognise high-achieving students?
- Who is ASI?
1. Who should enter the BSC
This annual Competition is offered at three levels: Junior (Years 7-8), Intermediate (Years 9-10) and Senior (Years 11-12). It is open to students of all abilities, from Australia and internationally.
2. Can schools from outside Australia enter?
Yes. Go to the Register page. Please note international entries incur a charge of AU$55 for postage and handling.
3. What sort of questions are in the papers?
Each paper contains 30 multiple choice questions. They are carefully graded so all students can have a measure of success. The papers also contain some more challenging questions for highly-talented students. See : Sample questions.
4. Who sets the questions and what do they test?
Questions in the Big Science Competition are composed by the Australian Council for Educational Research.
They test critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as science knowledge.
See: About the Competition.
5. How much does it cost?
Cost of entry is $5.50 plus GST.
6. How long is the Competition?
The test runs for 60 minutes.
7. Is there a minimum number of students my school can enter?
The minimum number is ten. If your school wishes to enter fewer than ten students, it is required to pay a fee equivalent to ten entry fees: $55 plus GST.
8. Can individual students register?
No. Only schools can register students – interested students or parents should speak to their school. Home schooled students or students whose school chooses not to participate are free to make arrangements to sit under the supervision of another school.
9. Can my school register by fax or on the phone?
No. The only way to register is online. This is the most efficient method and helps us minimise costs.
10. How do I pay?
Schools can pay by credit card or cheque. Credit card payments are made online at the time of registration.
11. How do I pay by cheque?
First register your students. This will automatically generate an invoice. Print off two copies of the invoice. Post a cheque with one copy of the invoice. Keep the other copy for your records. Make cheques payable to Australian Science Innovations, and post to:
ASI
Box 7251 Canberra Mail Centre
ACT 2610
12. How should I manage the Competition in my school?
An Administrator's Handbook is being prepared and will be posted on the website soon.
13. How do I encourage students (and their parents) to enter the Competition?
We have prepared a letter to parents (and permission slip) about the Competition, and a media release for school newsletters. The Competition poster has been sent to schools and is available for download.
14. How are the papers delivered to schools?
Papers will be couriered to schools about 5 days before the Competition date. Papers must be signed for. They should be stored in a secure location until the day of the Competition.
15. What should students bring into the test?
Two 2B pencils (it has to be a dark pencil mark on the answer sheet) and some working paper.
See: Tips for students.
16. What do I do with the answer sheets after the test?
A reply paid return envelope is provided. Put all answer sheets and the school record sheet in the envelope and mail it to the address on the envelope. Answer sheets not received by September 7 may not be processed.
17. What do I do with the question booklets after the test?
You are free to keep the question booklets and use as a resource for your teaching.
18. What certificates do students receive?
Certificates are awarded in each state and territory as follows: High Distinction (2%), Distinction (15%), Credit (50%), Participation (remaining students).
19. What sort of reports do teachers receive?
Teachers are provided a comprehensive report showing how each student performed on each question, and how the school group performed against the national (or regional) average. The final details of these reports will be released once ASI has discussed them with teachers.
20. Can my school do the Competition on a different date?
Yes. But you will need to complete the Variation of date form and fax it to ASI.
Note: Schools
may only complete the Competition after the official Competition date, not
before. Requests for variation to the date must be made by submitting the
Variation of date form and be agreed to in writing by ASI. There is no
guarantee that Answer Sheets will be processed if received later than the
due date or the date agreed to by ASI. Students sitting the competition
following the publicised date of the competition will not be eligible for
the award of 'top scorer'
21. Once I have entered the Competition, can I change the number of students?
You can log in to your school on-line and increase the number of students any time before the closing date.
22. How do I claim a refund?
Any claims for refunds must be requested in writing by the principal of your school (or their nominee). Please note that any refunds attract an administration charge of $44.
23. When will the results be announced?
Results will be sent to schools before the end of October. We are working to make them available online, so that school coordinators can log on to see how their students performed.
24. Will there be award ceremonies to recognise high-achieving students?
In 2009 ASI had a national ceremony in Canberra addressed by Science Minister Kim Carr, and a regional ceremony in Perth. The nature of ceremonies for 2010 (including ceremonies overseas) is being considered.
25. Who is ASI?
Australian Science Innovations is a non-profit organisation which runs the Science Olympiads and the Rio Tinto Big Science Competition. Our aim is to enthuse students about science. We want to encourage them to study science and consider careers in science, engineering and medicine.
big science competition calendar about big science
About the Competition- Dates and prices
Sample questions- Results and reports
Certificates and presentations
For coordinators
For parents and students
Rio Tinto is one of the world's leading mining and exploration companies. Rio Tinto and Australian Science Innovations (ASI) have been working together to develop and promote science education in Australia since 1997. Learn more about Rio Tinto
