KGL 10th Anniversary

We've added School Guaranteed Places based on your total number of entries. The merit qualification system (top 10% per level) and rescue cards remain exactly the same. This is an enhancement, not a replacement – giving schools MORE ways for students to qualify for the National Finals.

In previous years, students could only qualify through:

• Merit (top 10% in their level nationally)
• Rescue cards (limited number)

Now students can ALSO qualify through:

• School Guaranteed Places (new reward based on entries)

This means more of your students have a pathway to the National Finals!

We're introducing this as part of our 10th Anniversary celebration. We will evaluate its success and may continue or adapt it in future years based on feedback from schools and partners.

It depends on how many students you register. Use our School Quota Tool to calculate your exact allocation. For example:

• 30 entries = 4 guaranteed places + 1 rescue card
• 50 entries = 8 guaranteed places + 2 rescue cards
• 100 entries = 18 guaranteed places + 5 rescue cards

The more students you register, the more guaranteed places you receive.

No, students cannot qualify twice. If a student qualifies on merit (top 10% in their level nationally), they are already going to the National Finals and cannot also take one of your guaranteed places. The guaranteed places should go to other deserving students who didn't make the merit cut but demonstrated strong performance.

No. There is no guarantee that any percentage of your students will qualify on merit. The 10% merit pathway means:

• Top 10% nationally within each level (not within your school)
• If your students are strong, many might qualify on merit
• If not, they can still qualify through your guaranteed places

These are separate pathways, not cumulative.

Think of them as three separate routes to the National Finals:

We recommend selecting:

• Your highest-scoring students who didn't qualify on merit
• Students who showed exceptional improvement
• Students who were borderline (just outside the top 10%)
• Strong performers from underrepresented levels

You will submit your selections after you receive the Discovery results. The deadline will be clearly communicated by your Country Partner, typically within 3 days after results are released.

Important: You should confirm interest with students before submitting your guaranteed place selections. Once submitted, if a student withdraws, that place is forfeited – you cannot substitute another student after the deadline.

You have full flexibility. If all your B2 students narrowly missed merit qualification, you can allocate all guaranteed places to B2 students. However, spreading across levels may boost morale and encourage students at all levels.

No. The merit system works exactly as before:

• Top 10% within each level nationally automatically qualify
• Pre-A1 students compete against Pre-A1 students nationally
• A1 against A1, A2 against A2, etc.
• Each level is a separate competition
• ITA automatically identifies these qualifiers

No. The 10% is calculated nationally, not per school. Your A2 students compete against ALL A2 students from ALL schools in your country. If your students score in the top 10% nationally, they qualify. If not, they can still qualify through your guaranteed places.

No. Rescue cards work exactly as before:

• 1 rescue card per 20 entries (e.g., 40 entries = 2 rescue cards)
• YOU choose which students receive them
• Submit within 3 days after Discovery results
• Typically used for students who were very close to qualifying

Both are chosen by you, but guaranteed places are your primary tool for rewarding high-performing students.

The tool is 100% accurate based on the number of students you plan to register. Simply enter your projected enrollment, and it calculates your exact allocation.

Absolutely! That's what it's designed for. Try different enrollment numbers to see how it affects your guaranteed places. This helps you plan recruitment strategies and set expectations with students.

The School Quota Tool is available:

• On the KGL Contest website: www.kglcontest.org
• From your Country Partner

Yes, but only if those students are genuinely interested in participating. Quality matters more than quantity. The guaranteed places are a reward for broad participation, but they work best when students are engaged and motivated to do their best.

Focus on the positive:

• "We now have MORE ways for students to reach the National Finals"
• "Even students who don't make the top 10% nationally can still qualify"
• "The more students we register, the more opportunities we create"
• "Your personal best effort matters – our school rewards performance"

The system is proportional:

• Small school (20 entries): 2 guaranteed places + 1 rescue card
• Large school (200 entries): 38 guaranteed places + 10 rescue cards

Larger schools get more places in absolute numbers, but ALL schools benefit proportionally.

No. Once qualified for the National Finals, ALL students compete on equal footing, regardless of how they qualified. The National Finals test treats everyone identically.

Not at all. National Finals performance determines Global Finalists selection, not the pathway used to reach the National Finals. A student who qualified through guaranteed places can absolutely become a Global Winner if they perform exceptionally in the Global Finals!

Not at all. The merit pathway remains exactly as rigorous as before. Guaranteed places will typically go to high-performing students who narrowly missed the merit cut-off. What we've added is recognition for schools that foster widespread English learning excellence, not just elite performance. Competition and inclusion can coexist – this system does both!

We've designed the quota formula based on years of participation data to ensure the National Finals remains appropriately sized. The system is proportional and controlled. Additionally:

• Merit qualification remains selective (top 10%)
• Guaranteed places are proportional to entries
• Rescue cards are limited (1 per 20 entries)

We'll monitor participation and adjust if necessary, but projections show the system is sustainable.

This is exactly what guaranteed places solve! You can now tell students:

• "Even if you don't make the top 10% nationally, you could still reach the National Finals"
• "Your personal best effort matters – our school rewards improvement"
• "We have [X] guaranteed places, and you could be selected"
• "Give it your best, and you have multiple pathways to succeed"

Our 10th Anniversary is a milestone worth celebrating with our loyal school partners. This system:

• Rewards schools for commitment and participation
• Reduces pressure of "all or nothing" merit-only qualification
• Recognizes that excellence takes many forms
• Strengthens school-student engagement
• Celebrates a decade of partnership with meaningful enhancement

Yes! Your Country Partner has been updated on the Reward system and can:

• Explain how it works in your local context
• Help you use the calculator tool
• Answer specific questions about your school's situation
• Guide you through the selection and submission process

First contact: Your Country Partner (they know your local context best)

For calculator tool questions: Visit www.kglcontest.org