BEE '11

Tuesday, May 31

All 275 spellers take the written 25-word Round One Test during the Assembly, which begins at 8:00 a.m. Spellers sit in assigned seats at tables in the center front section of the Maryland Ballroom and all other individuals sit in unreserved seats on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The pronouncer, Dr. Jacques Bailly, recites the first word, followed by any alternate pronunciations, the part of speech, origin, definition and its use in a sentence. He repeats the word and information, pauses for 30 seconds, then proceeds on to the next word. After the 25 words have been given, Dr. Bailly will recite each word once in order from 1 to 25 with no word information.

Each word is worth one point and all 25 spellings will count toward each speller's Preliminaries score.

Wednesday, June 1

All 275 spellers participate in Rounds Two and Three onstage between 8:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. EDT.

For each correct spelling offered by a speller in Rounds Two and Three, the speller earns three points that count toward his Preliminaries score. It is possible for a speller to earn up to 31 points in the Preliminaries: 25 points on the Round One Test plus 3 points for a correct spelling in Round Two plus 3 points for a correct spelling in Round Three.

Immediately after the conclusion of Round Three, Bee officials determine semifinalists in accordance with Rule 4. The spellers whose Preliminaries scores are higher than the Preliminaries scores of at least 225 other spellers will be named semifinalists. No more than 50 spellers will qualify for the Semifinals. 

Thursday, June 2

Semifinalists compete onstage between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. EDT. In general, a speller is out of the competition once he misspells.

Semifinals: Watch Live

Semifinals: Play Along

Championship Finalists compete onstage beginning at 8:30 p.m. EDT. In general, a speller is out of the competition once he misspells except for circumstances addressed in Rule 12. 

Championship Finals: Watch Live

Championship Finals: Play Along