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Section
Points
Performance Tiers
Excellent
85–100%Specific recommendations grounded in named concepts, professional interaction, adapts naturally to Q&A, clear problem diagnosis.
Good
70–84%Solid concept knowledge, minor gaps in specificity or interaction, mostly accurate scenario diagnosis, adequate Q&A performance.
Adequate
55–69%Surface-level concept use, generic recommendations, some discomfort with Q&A, partial scenario understanding.
Below Standard
Below 55%Misread the scenario, vague or unsupported recommendations, significant communication issues, cannot defend recommendations.
Score as you observe. Not retroactively.
Section A and D are scored in real time. Write a note after each criterion passes, not after the student leaves.
Format Reference
How each event format works.
Setup
Student receives a scenario. Has 10 minutes of prep. Then presents to judge for up to 15 minutes, including Q&A.
Your role as judge
- 1.Read the scenario before the student enters the room.
- 2.Play the assigned role (manager, client, executive) for the full presentation.
- 3.Ask at least two follow-up questions. These come from you, there is no script.
- 4.Score immediately after the student exits. Do not adjust for comparison to other students.
Watch for
Students who monologue for 14 minutes and leave no time for Q&A. Q&A is 16 points of the rubric, forcing it short by talking over is a scoring liability.
Q&A Framework
Questions that reveal thinking.
Effective questions
Why did you prioritize that over [alternative]?
Tests whether the recommendation was thought through or default.
What would you do if the timeline was compressed to two weeks?
Tests adaptability and core understanding, not just preparation.
What's the biggest risk in your approach?
Tests whether the student can acknowledge limitation, a real professional skill.
How would you measure whether this recommendation succeeded?
Tests quantitative and strategic thinking beyond the presentation itself.
What would you tell a skeptical board member who disagreed?
Tests defense under pressure, which is Section D's core signal.
Questions to avoid
Don't ask questions with single correct factual answers.
This is not a quiz. DECA tests application of concepts, not recall.
Don't ask leading questions that reveal the answer.
"Wouldn't you also want to consider market segmentation?" is not a question.
Don't ask more than 4–5 questions in the Q&A window.
Students need time to answer fully. Three well-probed questions beat ten shallow ones.
Don't penalize unfamiliar terminology if the concept is correct.
A student who says 'customer loyalty plan' instead of 'CRM strategy' demonstrates the concept, score the understanding.
Chapter contact
Questions about an event's specific rules or scoring guidelines, reach the Novi DECA advisor team.