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National Classical Etymology Exam (NCEE)
The National Classical Etymology Exam is an annual assessment administered by the American Classical League (ACL) to students in the United States who are studying classical etymology.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
Eligibility
Open to any students
Entry Fee
$7 per student plus $25 school registration fees. Current ACL members receive a 10% discount.
Registration Timeline
September 1 – October 25
Examination Window
November 1 – December 10
Competition Details
1. Eligibility
The exam is generally intended for students in grades 6-12, though it is open to all grade levels. Divisions:
- Novice: Grades through 8
- Intermediate: Grades 9 & 10
- Advanced: Grades 11 & 12
2. Exam Overview
This 50-question test (45 minutes) focuses on English vocabulary derived from Latin and Greek, with an emphasis on academic and SAT-level words. It is structured as a multiple-choice format (4 options per question). The breakdown includes approximately 37 questions on Latin derivatives and 13 on Greek derivatives, covering:
- Question Difficulty: 20 Easy, 20 Medium, and 10 Difficult.
- Greek: Common prefixes, suffixes, numbers, and basic verbs (no Greek alphabet knowledge required).
- Latin: Common prefixes, suffixes, numbers, body parts, and basic verbs.
3. Study Resources
Study resources for the National Classical Etymology Exam are available here.
4. Awards
Awards are divided into two main divisions: students with prior Latin or Greek study and those without. Each division is further split into three levels based on grade:
- Novice: Grades through 8
- Intermediate: Grades 9 & 10
- Advanced: Grades 11 & 12
Class Recommendation
Prepare to compete at the highest level