Challenge Assistant
Run your BMSAQ Challenges with confidence.
New to BMSAQ? How it works:
Online Format
The online format allows students to use a computer, laptop, or tablet to compete. It's easy to use and students can practice using the online platform from our website, at any time.
Logging in:
After you purchase entries, we will email you a list of individual usernames and passwords that students can use to access the Challenge.
Let students know that they can attempt the questions in any order and can always go back to change an answer. Their answers will be saved immediately. At the end of the Challenge, they must select the 'submit' option beneath question 100.
Please note: Teachers are fully responsible for ensuring students are not allocated more than 30 minutes to complete the Challenge (unless a student requires extra).
Once your students have finished, you do not need to do anything further.
Paper Format
Students can sit the challenge on paper booklets, similar to a formal exam. There's no need to worry about printing! Before the exam, we will post the question and answer sheets to your school. The Challenge should be sat in school and under exam conditions, with no exceptions.
Students must record their answers on a separate multiple-choice answer sheet. A template of this answer sheet can be viewed before the challenge here. Students will need to fill in their candidate number (which will be emailed to you) on the answer sheet.
After the challenge, you must scan each student's answer sheet and download them to your computer. You must email this file to BMSAQ before the deadline closes. You do not need to upload any question booklets or rough worksheets. These can be kept safe until the results are released, when you may return them to students (if wished).
Practice
Helpful resources
Key dates
- Paper entry deadline30 Oct 2025
- Online entry deadline06 Nov 2025
- Challenge Day13 Nov 2025
- Results issued~17 Nov 2025
- Paper entry deadline22 Jan 2026
- Online entry deadline29 Jan 2026
- Challenge Day05 Feb 2026
- Results issued~09 Feb 2026
- Paper entry deadline05 Mar 2026
- Online entry deadline12 Mar 2026
- Challenge Day19 Mar 2026
- Results issued~23 Mar 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
You can edit quantities up to one week before the challenge. Please see the Orders page.
As soon as marking is complete and award boundaries are decided. This can take about a week. Please see the dates above for estimates.
One entry set includes participation for 10 students in the BMSAQ Challenge you order. This allows 10 unique students to have the fun experience of taking part in a BMSAQ Challenge and test their knowledge against peers. All students receive a certificate of participation, along with any other award they may achieve.
BMSAQ will award candidates who normally receive additional time for any formal UK/Ireland recognised exam an additional 25% extra time in all papers because of their impairment which substantially impacts upon a student's reading, writing and processing skills. The member of staff organising the BMSAQ Challenge within a school must lead on awarding the access arrangement. More information can be found on our Teacher Information page.
All BMSAQ Challenges have a possible 100 marks. Each question is worth one mark. There are no negative marks for a wrong answer.
Awards are given on a percentage basis and the minimum raw marks for each award change each year to reflect any changes in difficulty. The top-scoring 49% of students are awarded each year. Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze are awarded to students scoring in the top 10th, 20th, 35th and 49th percentile respectively. Students who are best in school, county and nation (overall highest) will also be awarded specially. All students receive a Certificate of Participation.
Yes. Schools can choose both the online platform and printed papers. You can mix formats to suit your classes. If you require an alternative format Challenge, you should contact BMSAQ as soon as possible.
After you purchase entries we email you a list of unique usernames and passwords for your students. They can sit the Challenge on a computer, laptop or tablet. Please ensure your school can access the BMSAQ Challenge Portal before the Challenge.
We aim to release results within one week after the Challenge day. They can be accessed by organisers on the BMSAQ Organiser Platform. Certificates for Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze, plus special awards, are available to download and print. We also provide statistics and analysis of the Challenge both nationally and for your school.
Please call the National Organiser on (+44) 07542 192952 for rapid support. For non‑urgent matters, email info@bmsaq.com.