The contest is held in double-elimination format with two brackets. All teams start in the upper bracket and stay in that bracket until they lose. Two teams face off in each game, each fielding four members at a time. The losing team moves to the lower bracket, where it competes until it loses a second time; a second loss eliminates the team from further competition.
The questions are asked and must be answered "Jeopardy" style. For example: Q: They are the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity. A: Who are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
Each game consists of two 10-minute halves with a 2-minute break in between; substitutions may be made during the break. The first question asked is referred to as a "toss-up," meaning that any member of either team may answer—after being the first to “buzz in.” When a team member answers a toss-up question correctly, the team is awarded 10 points and the opportunity to answer a bonus question, which is worth 5–15 points. Then the play returns to another toss-up.
Any and all information related to the Catholic Church is fair game for questions in Divisions 3 and 4. This includes the Old and New Testaments, History, Doctrine, Mary, Prayers, Sacraments, and more. Questions in Divisions 1 and 2 are limited to more common knowledge, such as that found in the “Penny Catechism” and information about Mary, the Saints, etc. Penny Catechisms can be purchased from Tan books.
Judges—generally priests, sisters, seminarians—are provided for each game. During a game, all decisions of a Judge are final. Dubious answers or problematic questions may be brought to their attention by a coach after the game is finished, but this will in no way affect the final score of the game. A more detailed Rules Booklet is available and will be sent upon receipt of team entries or upon request. Prizes ·Division 1 (Grades 5–6): 1st-place team award of$200; 2nd-place team award of $100. ·Division 2 (Grades 7–8): 1st-place team award of $400; 2nd-place team award of $300. ·Division 3 (Grades 9–10): 1st-place team award of $800; 2nd-place team award of $500. ·Division 4 (Grades 11–12): 1st-place team: scholarships totaling $2,000; 2nd-place team: scholarships totaling$1,000.
