Frequently Askded Questions

What is the TMAL?

The Try-Math-A-Lon competition is a competition between teams composed of high school students in grades 9-12. The purpose of the contest is to help groom these students for success in math/science courses.

How do I register my team?

There are 4 documents required to register your team:

• Coach Information
• Student Information / Team List
• Student Aptitude Survey
• Student Pre-Test (If a student has taken the TMAL test at SCC then this is not necessary)

Submit all documents by September 15th to the Regional TMAL Chair r1ae_tmal@yahoo.com.

What happens if I miss the September 15th deadline?

If possible, contact the Regional TMAL Chair for assistance prior to this date.
If the deadline has passed then the team has the option to participate in the TMAL USA Competition.

Is the local competition mandatory for the TMAL World competition?

Yes, only teams that win the regional competition may advance to the Regional TMAL Competition. Even if there is only one team for that zone, the competition must be executed. The results of the exam must be sent to the Regional TMAL coordinator one week after the local competition.

What is the difference between the TMAL World and the TMAL USA Competition?

a. TMAL World competitions are held at the local, regional and national level
b. TMAL USA Competition is only held at the National Competition
c. Any teams that miss any registration deadline, or do not advance to the National TMAL World competition may compete at the TMAL USA competition at Nationals
d. Participants of the World Competition do not compete against participants of the TMAL USA Competition

Who participates at the National TMAL Competitions?

a. For the National TMAL World competition 6 teams, one per region, compete. The team that wins the Regional competition represents its region on a national level. b. For the National TMAL USA Competition any team may compete once they register in time. See Timelines.

What components of TMAL are executed at the Summer Camping Conference?

a. At SCC TMAL is partitioned into two events held in the order listed:
i. Event 1: The Progress Assessment Test (PAT)
ii. Event 2: Quiz Bowl (One Round)

What is the format of the competition at the local competition?

a. The competition is partitioned into two events held in the order listed:
i. Event 1: The Progress Assessment Test (PAT)
ii. Event 2: Quiz Bowl (One Round)

What is the format of the competition at the Regional competition?

a. The contest is partitioned into three events held in the order listed:
i. Event 1: The Progress Assessment Test (PAT)
ii. Event 2: The Engineering Contest
iii. Event 3: The Quiz Bowl (Two Rounds)

Where do the TMAL PAT questions come from?

The material for the TMAL tests are from SAT study materials.

What is new on the TMAL PAT this year?

There will be 5 to 10 NSBE facts and/or history questions added to the PAT.

Where may I find information regarding Black Inventors?

Please review the following websites:
https://webfiles.uci.edu/mcbrown/display/faces.html
http://www.uwm.edu/StudentOrg/NSBE/bie.html
http://www.africanamericans.com/Scientists&Engineers.htm
http://www.famousblackinventors.com
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html (African-American Firsts: Science and Medicine) and (Other African-American Firsts) sections only
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmsupremecourt.html
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmscientists1.html
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/juneteenth1.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0872606.html

What type of questions will be on the engineering exam?

The engineering exam will cover basic physics questions. See the Previous exam section for examples.

What is the new requirement for the TMAL Advisor/Coach

All TMAL advisors and coaches must be a paid member in NOL (NSBE Alumni/NSBE Affiliate/NSBE members). This change is to ensure the advisors and coaches receive all information in a timely manner to participate in TMAL.

Where can I find more detailed information about the TMAL program?

The TMAL toolkit has valuable, detailed information about the program. Click here to download Tool Kit

How frequently should the teams have tutoring sessions?

The TMAL committee suggests that the students receive at least 3 hours of practice each week.

Do all teams that participate in the local competition compete at the regional competition?

No only the teams that win the local competition are able to compete in the regional competition.

What do the teams win?

Teams that win the local competitions will receive free registration and subsidized lodging at the Regional Competition.
Teams that win the Regional competition will receive free registration and subsidized lodging and travel for the National Competition

What are the team requirements?

a. A team consists of four members and an optional alternate
b. TMAL teams may not CONSIST OF FOUR SENIORS!!!!! At least one member should not be a senior
c. All teams members must be paid NSBE Jr. Members
d. All teams must have a current advisor/coach that is a paid NSBE member
e. All teams must register with the Regional TMAL coordinator