Ninety-Fourth Annual Latin Tournament

March 4-29, 2024

Examinations

The exams are designed to test the student’s mastery of the Latin language and, in the case of the upper level exams, some basic literary matter at that particular level of study. Exams will consist of questions on vocabulary, forms, syntax, (where appropriate) rhetorical and poetic devices, and reading passages for translation to show active and accurate comprehension.

Teachers should submit their registration by February 27. Competition fee is $3.00 per student, non-refundable. Try the tournament for free your first year! Your students may compete free of charge if your school is registering for the first time or has not registered in the past five years.

Divisions of Competition

Schools in Virginia may compete in one of three divisions:

  • Alpha (secondary and intermediate public schools)
  • Beta (independent and private schools)
  • Gamma (charter, magnet, and governor’s schools)
Adminstration

The exam will be given at the school of the participants and may be administered by the Latin teacher. Students will have 60 minutes in which to complete their exams. All students in the same level of Latin MUST be tested at the same time. There will be a four-week window for testing, March 4-29.

Tests & Syllabi

Introduction to Latin

This exam is completely new! The exam consists of 40 questions and a sight translation. There are questions that cover vocabulary, grammar & syntax, reading comprehension, and translation. 

Beginning Latin

This exam was formerly called “Latin One.” The exam consists of 40 questions and a sight translation. There are questions that cover vocabulary, grammar & syntax, reading comprehension, and translation. 

Intermediate Latin

This exam was formerly called “Latin Two.” The exam consists of 40 questions and a sight translation. There are questions that cover vocabulary, derivatives, grammar & syntax, reading comprehension, and translation. 

Advanced Latin

This exam was formerly called “Intermediate Latin Prose” and is intended for students in Latin III or IV, in a course not primarily focused on reading authentic literature. The exam consists of 30 questions and a sight translation. There are questions that cover vocabulary, derivatives, grammar & syntax, reading comprehension, and translation. 

Latin Literature: Prose or Poetry

Latin Prose: This exam is for students reading authentic prose, such as passages of Caesar, Cicero, and authors of similar difficulty. 

Latin Poetry: This exam is for students reading authentic poetry, such as passages of Vergil, Ovid, and authors of similar difficulty. 

Both exams consist of 30 questions and sight translation. There are questions on reading comprehension, translation, grammar & syntax, and literary devices.



Awards

The awards on the Latin Tournament are designed to recognize students’ efforts to learn and hone their skills in Latin at their level, as well as to identify the strongest Latin students in the state of Virginia.  

Cum Laude Certificates will be awarded to any student who scores 30/40 on the Introduction to Latin, Beginning Latin, and Intermediate Latin exams, or a 23/30 on the Advanced, Latin Literature: Prose, and Latin Literature: Poetry exams. The CAV will publish names of schools who had students earn a  Cum Laude Certificate.

Placements will be awarded to the three students with the highest scores in each division for each exam (combined score multiple choice + translation). First place winners will receive an engraved Jefferson Cup; second and third place winners will receive medals. The CAV will publish the name of each student who earns a placement.

Certificates of Honorable Mention will also be awarded to the students who score within the top 20% of students from their division on their exam  (combined score multiple choice + translation).

*Nota Bene: The free-response translation is optional and only needs to be completed by students who are interested in pursuing a placement or honorable mention.

Awards will be announced and distributed at the spring meeting of the CAV. Plan to attend so you can receive your awards! In each division (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma): a plaque will be awarded to the school with the most points for first, second, and third places. 

Nota bene: Please be advised that the CAV will not publish in its newsletter or on its website the names of the student winners whose families do not wish to make that information public. If your school or school system maintains data on which students may or may not allow their names to be published, please advise Kevin Jefferson. It is the responsibility of each individual Latin teacher to inform the Tournament Director if any students opt out of having their names listed among the winners in the newsletter.


Tournament Director& Registrar

Kevin Jefferson

kevinsjefferson@gmail.com