How does judging and the awards process work?

The judging process for FIRST Tech Challenge competitions involves a 5-minute team presentation, a question and answer (Q&A) period, and potential follow-up interviews in the pits . This process is crucial for a team's success in awards .

The Presentation

Teams begin with a 5-minute presentation during which judges do not interrupt . There is no set format, but most teams use scripted, formal presentations, with different students covering various aspects like the team, robot, and outreach . It is recommended to cover topics from every award . Using scripts is highly recommended, and teams should practice the judging period repeatedly, including walking in, giving the portfolio, and the Q&A session .

Q&A Period

Following the presentation, there is a Q&A period where judges ask questions . This period is as important as the presentation and should be practiced multiple times . Teams can use sample judges' questions from FIRST resources for practice . Judges often ask if there is anything else the team wants them to know that was not covered, and teams should have a prepared response, ideally covering topics not thoroughly discussed .

Pit Judging

During the competition, secondary groups of judges may conduct follow-up interviews in the pits, asking more questions about specific components of the team, robot, or outreach . These questions are an important part of judging deliberation and should be treated similarly to the initial Q&A . When pit judges arrive, teams should try to determine their purpose (e.g., control, robot-based awards, outreach) and focus their answers accordingly . It is important for students to stand up, put phones down, look interested, and participate, with as many different people speaking as possible . Judges have limited time, so answers should be thorough but concise . Having a portfolio or notebook ready for quick reference is also advised .

Awards

Awards are a core part of the FIRST Tech Challenge competition, recognizing teams and determining advancement . The Engineering Portfolio is a key reference for most awards . While judging and awards are subjective and some rules vary by state, it always benefits teams to pursue awards .

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The Judging Process and Presentation

Game Manual 0·CC BY-NC 4.0

At the beginning of a competition, teams will have a 5 minute presentation followed by a brief Q&A period where judges can ask questions about the portfolio and presentation. Following this, judges may sometimes do follow up interviews in the pits where they ask teams more questions about specific things to help in their deliberations. This process is as important as your written documentation when it comes to the success of your team in awards.

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The Judging Process and Presentation > The Presentation

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The presentation is a 5 minute presentation during which judges are not allowed to interrupt. At the end of 5 minutes, you will either be asked to stop or be interrupted by the judges. There is no set format for this period, so your team can figure out how they want to present. Generally, most teams will do scripted formal presentations, often with each student tackling a different part of information about the team, robot, outreaches, etc. Its recommended teams cover topics from every award topic.

Tip: While it may be tempting to do something unique, like singing or performing your presentation, be aware that this is usually difficult for little benefit. Unless you know you can pull it off very well, you probably shouldn't try it.

There is generally no penalty for using scripts, so it is highly recommended they are used. In addition, you should practice the judging period repeatedly before the competition. Practice everything from walking in and giving your portfolio to the judges to the question and answer period. Make sure you are comfortable with your script and with answering questions.

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The Judging Process and Presentation > The Presentation > Q&A Period

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The Q&A period is just as important as the presentation and should be practiced multiple times until the team is comfortable answering impromptu questions. A good idea is to practice the sample judges' questions (https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/ftc/archive/2026/event/question-bank). Mentors should ask questions similar to those in the sample judges' question, in addition to difficult to answer questions ("What award do you think you deserve?" is an example of a question that is incredibly difficult to answer on the spot).

Tip: Judges almost always ask something along the lines of "Is there anything else that you want us to know that was not covered?" Make sure you have a response to this question! The best strategy is usually to answer with something that wasn't asked about or covered as well, so pay attention to what topics have been covered during the Q&A.

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The Judging Process and Presentation > Pit Judging

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During the competition, secondary groups of judges may be walking around pits to ask more questions about specific components of the team, robot, or outreach. These questions are an important part of judging deliberation, and should be treated similarly to the Q&A in the beginning of the competition.

Pit judging can be difficult sometimes since judges might want to talk to your team as you are heading out to a match. While some judges may offer to come back at a different time, often it is better to have your teammates not driving talk to the judge if possible. This can ensure they don't run out of time to talk to you.

When pit judges arrive, one should try to determine roughly what they are there for. Judges will make it clear pretty quickly if they are there for control, robot-based awards, outreach, etc. If a judge is there to talk to you about the robot, don't waste their time with outreach. Similarly, if a judge is asking about your outreach don't divert to talking about the robot. Judges are there for a specific purpose, other information may essentially be discarded by them.

Important: When judges come near your pits, STAND UP and PUT THE PHONES DOWN. Uninterested students can cause a judge's opinion of your team to quickly sour. All students should try to look interested and should participate, get as many different people speaking as you can.

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Awards

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FIRST® Tech Challenge is more than just building robots, it contains elements of engineering documentation, outreach, and more. While the majority of Game Manual 0 talks about how to make decisions about creating your robot, the portfolio you write is actually showing how you made those decisions and how you impact the STEM community around you in a positive way.

It only benefits you to go for awards. You can't win awards without making a portfolio, and in certain states the only way to advance is awards and in others it can make it significantly easier to advance. In the past an engineering notebook was required for awards, however this is no longer true. Therefore, these are the topics that will be covered in this section of Game Manual 0.

Warning: Judging and awards are extremely subjective and some rules change a bit from state to state. What works in one region may not in other regions. So contact your judges about specifics of some things; for example some competitions allow you to turn a custom control award sheet, others only accept the one listed by FIRST. The writers of this part of Game Manual 0 have extensive experience with awards and have even been winners and finalists for the Inspire Award at the World Championships.

For most awards, teams have a 5 minute presentation at the beginning of the day followed by some Q&A time and possibly pit judging later on (read the section on the judging process for more detail). There are 7 awards for FTC® teams (excluding awards that cannot advance a team).

For winning every award, the Engineering Portfolio is a key reference and is quintessential, so make sure that your team focuses on the Engineering Portfolio.

Always remember that regardless of how well you feel you did, awards have a level of subjectivity of the judges, so there is no way to 100% control how your team does for awards.

Overall, awards are one of the core parts of the FIRST Tech Challenge competition. They recognize teams at the end of every competition (except league meets) as well as determine many of the teams that advance.

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The Judging Process and Presentation > Pit Judging > Pit Judging Tips

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Judges have limited amounts of time, don't waste it! Answer questions thoroughly but consciously.
Have a portfolio or notebook ready for quick reference as needed.
Try to vary who answers questions, getting everyone involved.

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