Academic WorldQuest

Test your students’ global IQ at our annual international knowledge competition for high school students.

2025 Competition Details

Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Location: St. Mary’s University
Time: 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm CDT

This free event invites teams of four to challenge their global knowledge to correctly answer a series of multiple-choice questions in competition with other local schools. The winning team  will represent Minnesota at the national Academic WorldQuest competition organized by the World Affairs Councils of America, at the end of April 2025 in Washington, DC.

  • Each high school (9-12 grade students) can register up to 4 teams of 4 students.
  • FREE to compete
  • Refreshments provided and prize drawings throughout the event
  • Team Spirit Award: Let your Spirit show with fun costumes and enthusiastic energy for a chance to win exciting prizes!
  • First place team receives four Great Decisions books, a championship trophy for their school, and the opportunity to represent Minnesota at the national competition in Washington, D.C. in April. Global Minnesota will cover the cost of the roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis to Washington, D.C. for the four team members and an adult chaperone, and will arrange and pay for hotel expenses for the group during the competition.

Register Your Teams Today!

 

Study Guide

Resources

Academic WorldQuest competition questions are based on the downloadable study guide mentioned above. There are also a series of webinars on each topic from the National World Affairs Councils of America.

Great Decisions books will only be required study material for the national competition. Teachers who would like to receive a complimentary copy can indicate this on the registration form.

Topics

All questions for this year’s competition will be drawn from sources in the official Academic WorldQuest Study Guide, with the exception of current events.

  • The United States and Foreign Languages
  • Space and National Security
  • Nontraditional Approaches to Foreign Policy
  • Music and Globalization
  • Indigenous Peacebuilding
  • Critical Minerals in Africa
  • Borders and Boundaries
  • Mexico: 2025 Focus Country
  • Great Decisions
  • Current Events

2024 Competition Photos

Questions?

Contact Sylvia Oxenham, K-12 Education Manager

Presented in partnership with Mall of America and the World Affairs Councils of America.