TMSCA State

[nsguy1350]

First, I know I've already asked this, but I'd like to get a full list of everyone who is going this year. I am, and this is the first year we're going. I have some questions about the meet, and I want to see how the meet works and other things. Less than 2 weeks remain until the meet!

Post whether you're going or not here please, and I'll try to edit this post, with a list here. Specify the information you'd like me to post (if you don't want your name, school, etc. posted, then say you don't want it posted, instead of just leaving it off, please.) Some information you can include is: name, school, conference, events participating, goals, previous awards at TMSCA State, other people coming from your school, etc. I won't post your info until you tell me what you'd like me to post. You can also PM me your info, if you think that's easier.

The TMSCA State list this year:
1. Wesley Runnels - Science and Engineering Magnet, 5A, sophomore, NS/MA/CA/SC, taking about 20 people from my school, Goal: top gun, probably not a goal that I can reach, but a goal nonetheless.
2. Robert Koepl - Liberty Hill HS - senior


My questions:
1. How does top gun work? Is it a different point system from the regular 15-12-10-8-6-4 or something similar? I heard that it was 15-14-13-12-...-2-1, so a 15th place gets points, instead of only 1-6th. Also, how do they separate top gun? Is it by conference (one top gun for each 1A-5A), by grade (one top gun for each 9th-12th, over all conferences), by conference and grade (5A sophomore vs 5A junior vs 4A junior), or something different?

2. How does the meet work? How is it organized? What time do the events go on? What is the environment like? Can you describe the general feel and flow of the meet?

3. How are awards given? Is there a single award ceremony, or is there a separate ceremony for 1A-5A, or by grade, etc.

4. Assuming I get the scores in my signature (which is likely better than likely, and consider a 319, not a 346 in NS), how well do you think I could do, considering I'm a 5A sophomore? I am not very familiar with competition, and I don't know how much the scores will improve from the 5A freshmen last year.

[007math]

Last year, there was a freshman 5A who had a 310 in math UIL, so I would say that might be tough to win first in with the scores you posted. You seem to have good chances in NS, Calc, science though

[nsguy1350]

Thanks. Looking at previous scores, I think I have a shot at top 3-4 NS, anywhere in the top 8 or so in Calculator, maybe top 5 - 6 Math, and top 3 in Science, assuming I don't totally choke. I could definitely do well, with several top 3s, but I'm going to have to cram HARD in the next two weeks. I'm most scared of one of my competing-for-a-spot-on-the-Science-team teammates, and I think I could get top 2 or 3. For NS, I know I can do well, but my scores in competition always crater, although they've been getting better (although not by much.) For Calculator, I still have some NC accuracy, and some speed, to work on, along with many of the geom/stated. With enough improvement, I can see top 5. Last year, the top 5 got either a 191 or a 192, so it'll be very tough. Hopefully I can get at least top 6 there. In Math, I think I can do well, with some improvement and memorization. I can't let last meet's Math score destroy my confidence.

[robertkoepl]

Ill be there.
Robert Koepl, Senior, Liberty Hill HS

[redhawk2015]

Can somebody differentiate between TMSCA competitions and UIL competitions for me? I've seen them both mentioned many times but my school, as far as I know, only participates in UIL.

[nsguy1350]

UlL competitions are the regular ones: District/Region/State.
TMSCA is a separate, supplemental organization to UIL, and is also nonprofit. At practice meets, you'll see many TMSCA tests, along with the two Invitational A and B tests, which are written by UIL.
TMSCA State is a competition held in San Antonio, effectively the last practice meet before District. Schools from all over Texas come to the meet, and it is the biggest practice meet of the year. The tests are written by UIL writers, but it's still run by TMSCA. The only events offered are Number Sense, Math, Calculator, and Science.

The biggest meets of the year, however, are the UIL meets, District/Region/State.
Also, a difference between UIL and TMSCA is that at UIL, there is no separation of grades, but TMSCA State separates into 4 grades. TMSCA also does middle school competitions, and I think UIL does also.

If your school goes to Invitationals often, chances are that you've taken several TMSCA tests. You've also taken Invitational A or B, and you will take District, and hopefully Region and State as well.

[redhawk2015]

OK, thanks...I remember that everything I ever did in middle school was TMSCA-based, but hadn't heard of any high school TMSCA until now.

Our school only goes to Invitationals A and B every year (plus a third meet like Aledo), so I probably haven't taken any TMSCA tests.

Note: Is there qualifying for TMSCA State? Or can anybody who wants to sign up?

[nsguy1350]

We usually go to 5, but my school only went to 4 this year. I went to the 5th myself. I also was the one to ask my coach if we could go to TMSCA State, and we are, now. That's 6.
You don't have to qualify for TMSCA State. If your school becomes a member of TMSCA State (like a $50 fee, which is basically nothing,) then you can go. No qualifications or anything.

[BlasianAsian]

Don't you have to get a certain score though? It's really low, if I recall.