As competition season approaches, we all must begin to prepare. Dive into event samples and judges' score sheets to gain a strategic edge. Practicing regularly and collaborating with peers will boost your confidence and performance. Make the most of DECA's sample exams to fine-tune your skills and master time management for the big day.
Competition
To prepare for competition, one of the most important things you can do to excel is to be aware of what you will be scored on. Review samples of your event on the DECA website to familiarize yourself with the performance indicators you will likely see on your exam. Additionally, take some time to look over the judge’s score sheet. The judges are also instructed to award points based on vital 21st-century skills, so knowing what they are looking for will be a huge help in improving your score.
Additionally, regular practice will enable you to excel in role-plays by giving you experience with performance indicators and increasing your confidence as you become more familiar and comfortable with the competition process. This doesn’t have to be done through mock competitions - you may choose to practice with peers, those in the industry your event encompasses or even those who have done well in your event in previous years. If you wish to practice solo, you can make slide decks that you can check back on later or record yourself practicing to make notes of potential areas of strength and improvement.
Lastly, you can significantly reduce your prep time devoted to answering your performance indicators by developing a structured approach to your role-play or presentation. Think ahead of time about how you will open and close your competition and how you will transition between topics or ideas. This will allow you to be memorable to your judge and make it much easier for them to follow your ideas.
DECA Exams
DECA provides sample exams with answer keys on its website to assist in studying for your competitive events exam. Utilizing these resources allows you to become more familiar with the types of questions you may be asked and the potential difficulty level you might see on the day you take your exam.
You may also choose to study with peers from your chapter. Collaborative studying allows those involved to understand concepts from various perspectives and provides an opportunity to ask questions if certain topics are unclear. When studying in a group, you benefit from your peers' collective knowledge and experiences, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the material exam questions cover. Different members may have unique insights or examples that make complex ideas more relatable and easier to grasp.
Further, it is important to keep in mind the pacing of the exam. You will have 90 minutes to complete 100 questions, so managing your time effectively is crucial. Aim to spend no more than an average of 50-60 seconds per question to ensure you can complete the exam within the allotted time. If you encounter a particularly challenging question, it may be helpful to mark it and move on to the next one, then return to it later. This approach allows you to spend less time on any single question and maximize your score by answering as many questions as possible. Practicing with timed exams can help you develop a good sense of pacing and build confidence in your time management skills.
