How many rounds longer will the Bee be this year?
We don't know, and that's the nature of any spelling bee. The 2016 Bee head-to-head portion of the competition could be longer than recent bees, or it could be shorter. The longer element would come into play if our 2016 Finalists go more than 12 rounds in head-to-head competition. The shorter element could come into play if our 2016 Finalists go fewer than 12 rounds in head-to-head competition. For purposes of clarity, our definition of head-to-head competition is any round of spelling involving three or fewer spellers.
When are the words offered in the Bee decided?
The words for the 2016 Bee were compiled in 2015. The list goes through multiple levels of review before competition, and is now in its next-to-final scheduled review. The last scheduled review takes place several days before competition. In previous Finals, Bee officials matched words to the mettle of spellers on a round-by-round basis except for the head-to-head portion of competition. During the head-to-head portion, the Bee offered only words from a special list of 25 words compiled specifically for head-to-head competition purposes -- this in accordance with contest rules. For purposes of clarity, our definition of head-to-head competition is any round of spelling involving three or fewer spellers. In this year's Finals, Bee officials will match words to the mettle of spellers on a round-by-round basis, including the head-to-head portion -- this in accordance with 2016 contest rules.
Have you read the Contest Rules for the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee yet? You can download a PDF copy.