The scedule for the Memory Skills Olympiad Championship at MSO 7
is as follows:
DAY ONE
23rd August |
| Time | Event | | | |
| 9:15 - 9:55 | Welcome
Meet and Greet
Q&A Session | | | |
| Time | Discipline | Memorising
phase/min | Recall
phase/min | Notes |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | 1. Binary Number | 30 | | |
| 10:30 - 11:30 | | 60 | |
| 11:30 - 12:00 | Break | | | |
| 12:00 - 12:15 | 2. Random Words | 15 | | |
| 12:15 - 12:45 | | 30 | |
| 12:45 - 14:30 | Lunch break /
Judge Binary &
Random Words | | | |
| 14:30 - 15:30 | 3.One Hour Cards | 60 | | |
| 15:30 - 15:45 | | | Collection of cards |
| 15:45 - 17:45 | | 120 | |
| | Judge Hour Cards | | | |
| END OF DAY ONE |
| |
DAY TWO
24th August |
| Time | Event | | | |
| 9:15 - 10:00 | Welcome and
scores update | | | |
| Time | Discipline | Memorising
phase/min | Recall
phase/min | Notes |
| 10:00 - 11:00 | 4. One Hour Number | 60 | | |
| 11:00 - 13:00 | | 120 | |
| 13:00 - 14:30 | Lunch Break /
Judge Hour Number | | | |
| 14:30 - 14:45 | 5.Names and Faces | 15 | | |
| 14:45 - 15:15 | | 30 | |
| | Break / Judge
Names and Faces | | | |
| | Scores update | | | |
| 16:00 - 16:05 | 6. Speed Cards (T1) | 5 | | |
| 16:05 - 16:10 | | 5 | |
| 16:10 - 16:25 | Concentration phase | 15 | | Result of Trial 1 |
| 16:25 - 16:30 | Speed Cards (T2) | 5 | | |
| 16:30 - 16:35 | | 5 | |
| 16:35 - 17:15 | Final Score Calculation | | | |
| 17:15 - 18:00 | Prize Giving and
Medal Ceremony | | | |
Binary Numbers
| Aim: |
To commit to memory as many Binary digits (101101 etc) as possible and recall them perfectly. |
| Time to memorise: |
30 minutes. |
| Time to recall: |
60 minutes. |
| Memorizing Paper: |
1. Computer generated numbers are presented in rows of 30 digits with 25 rows per page.
2. 4500 digits (6 sheets) are presented although more are available from the adjudicator but this must be requested in advance of the competition. |
| Recall Paper: |
1. Contestants may use the Recall Papers provided.
2. If a contestant wishes to use his/her own Recall Papers, these must be approved by the adjudicator before the competition. Contestants must write their recalled numbers in rows of 30 digits, and the row must be clearly numbered.
3. It must be clear how the rows presented on the answer paper relate to the rows on the question paper (missing rows must be clearly indicated). |
| Scoring: |
1. 30 points are awarded for every complete row that is correctly recalled in order.
2. For every complete row of 30 that has a single mistake in it (this includes a missing digit), 15 points are awarded.
3. For every complete row of 30 that has two or more mistakes (including missing digits) 0 points are awarded for that row.
4. For the last row only. If the last row is incomplete (eg only the first 19 numbers have been written down) but all of the digits are correct, then the points awarded will equal the number of digits recalled (19 in this example).
5. If the last row is incomplete and there is a single mistake (this includes a missing digit) then the points awarded will equal half the number of digits recalled. (For an odd number of digits the fraction is rounded up eg 19 the score would be 19/2 rounded up equals 10).
6. In the case of tied winning scores, the winner will be decided by looking at the extra lines the contestant has tried to recall but for which he/she got 0 points. For every correctly positioned binary number there will be given 1 decision point. The contestant with more of those decision points is the winner. |
Random Words
| Aim: |
To commit to memory and recall as many random words as possible. |
| Time to memorise: |
15 minutes. |
| Time to recall: |
30 minutes. |
| Memorizing Paper: |
1. A list of generally known words organised in columns of 20 with 5 columns to a page.
2. 4 Pages of words (400) are provided.
3. Contestants must start at the first word of column 1 and remember as many of the words as possible in order. |
| Recall Paper: |
1. Contestants may write down the list of words on the Recall Papers provided.
2. If a contestant wishes to use his/her own Recall Papers, these must be approved by the adjudicator before the competition.
3. Each word must be clearly numbered and the start and finish of each column easily identifiable. |
| Scoring: |
1. A point is awarded for every word in a complete column where all 20 words are correctly spelt.
2. One mistake (including any gaps) in a column of 20 words gives a score of 10 for that column (20/10).
3. Two or more mistakes (including any gaps) in a column of 20 words scores 0 for that column.
4. The contestant may use upper or lower case letters.
5. For the final column only. If the final column is partially complete, a point is awarded for each word if every one is correctly spelt. One mistake (including any gaps) in the partial column means the points awarded will equal half the number of words recalled. Two or more mistakes (including any gaps) will score 0 for the column.
6. *If a word has been clearly memorized, but has been spelled in an incorrect way, no points are given for this word. It will not, however, cancel other words in a column. For example, if somebody writes 'rhytm' instead of 'rhythm', no points will be given for this word, and, if all other words in the column are correct, full marks minus one will be given for that column (e.g. 19).
7. If there is both one memory mistake in a column and a spelling mistake, then first the maximal points given for the column will be halved and then a point for the wrongly spelled word will be subtracted (e.g. max 20 points, divided by 2, gives 10 points, minus one is 9.) [The different order leads to 9.5 points.]
8. The points for each line will be added up. If a non integer result is obtained, it will be rounded up (72.5 => 73 points).
9. In the case of tied winning scores, the winner will be decided by looking at the extra columns the contestant tried to recall but for which he/she got 0 points. For every correctly positioned word, there will be given 1 decision point. The contestant with more of those decision points is the winner.
* This rule has been introduced to limit the complications that may arise from spelling ambiguities, mistakes in translations, dyslexia, and handicaps forforeigners, etc. |
One Hour Cards
| Aim: |
To commit to memory and recall as many separate packs (decks) of 52 playing cards as possible. |
| Time to memorise: |
60 minutes. |
| Time to recall: |
120 minutes (there is a 15 minute break between memorizing and recall to allow for the collection of packs of cards). |
| Memorizing Paper: |
1. A number (specified by the contestant), of separate and individual shuffled packs (decks) of 52 playing cards. The contestant may bring his/her own cards, these must be handed to the adjudicator in sufficient time to be shuffled.
2. The cards can be looked at repeatedly and more than one card can be looked at simultaneously.
3. The packs must be numbered in sequence, initialled and bound with an elastic band. The order of memorization (top to bottom or bottom to top) should also be indicated. This can be done during memorization or immediately after. Elastic bands and labels will be provided to the competitor for this purpose.
4. Contestants submit the number of completely memorized packs and indicate if the last pack has been only partially committed to memory. |
| Recall Paper: |
1. Contestants will be handed the Recall Papers.
2. If a contestant wishes to use his/her own Recall Papers, these must be approved by the adjudicator before the competition.
3. Contestants must write down the order of each pack of cards so that the value (e.g. A, 2, 3... J, Q, K) suit (♣,♦,♥,♠/C,D,H,S) is clear for each card in each pack.
4. Contestants must make it clear on their Recall Papers, to which pack the list of cards is referring. |
| Scoring: |
1. 52 points are awarded for every pack (deck) correctly recalled.
2. 26 points are awarded if there is a single mistake in a pack.
3. 0 points are awarded if there are two or more mistakes.
4. For the last pack only. If the last pack is incomplete (e.g. only the first 38 cards were memorized and all of the cards recalled are correct, then the points awarded will equal the number of cards recalled (38 in this example).
5. If the last pack is incomplete and there is one mistake then the points awarded will equal half the number of cards recalled. (For an odd number of cards the fraction is rounded up e.g. for 19 cards and one mistake, the score would be 19/2 rounded up equals 10).
6. Two or more mistakes in the last pack scores 0.
7. In the case of tied winning scores the winner will be decided by looking at the extra decks the contestant has tried to recall but for which he/she got 0 points. For every correctly positioned card 1 decision point will be given. The contestant with more of those decision points is the winner. |
One Hour Number
| Aim: |
To commit to memory as many random digits (1,3,5,8,9,5, etc) as possible. |
| Time to memorise: |
60 minutes. |
| Time to recall: |
120 minutes. |
| Memorizing Paper: |
1. Computer generated numbers are presented in rows of 40 digits with 25 rows per page.
2. 4000 digits (4 sheets) are presented although more are available from the adjudicator but this must be requested in advance of the competition. |
| Recall Paper: |
1. Contestants must write their recalled numbers in rows of 40 digits.
2. Contestants may use the answer sheets provided or their own (as long as it has been cleared by the adjudicator before recall commences).
3. It must be clear how the rows presented on the answer paper relate to the rows on the question paper (missing rows must be clearly indicated). |
| Scoring: |
1. 40 points are awarded for every complete row that is correctly recalled in order.
2. For every complete row of 40 that has a single mistake in it (this includes a missing digit), 20 points are awarded for that row.
3. For every complete row of 40 that has two or more mistakes (including missing digits) 0 points are awarded for that row.
4. If the last row is incomplete (eg only the first 29 numbers have been written down) but all of the digits are correct, then the points awarded will equal the number of digits recalled (29 in this example).
5. If the last row is incomplete and there is a single mistake (this includes a missing digit) then the points awarded will equal half the number of digits recalled. (For an odd number of digits the fraction is rounded up eg 29 the score would 29/2 rounded up equals 15).
6. For two or more mistakes in the last row (including missing digits) 0 points are awarded for the last row.
7. The winner of the event is the contestant with the highest score. |
Names and Faces
| Aim: |
To commit to memory and recall as many names as possible and link them to the right face. |
| Time to memorise: |
15 minutes. |
| Time to recall: |
30 minutes. |
| Memorizing Paper: |
1. 100 colour photographs of different people (mostly head and shoulder shots) with a first name and second name written underneath each picture.
2. Pictures are provided 15 to a page in 3 rows of 5 photographs on 7 sheets of A3. |
| Recall Paper: |
1. Contestants will be given the colour photographs again (15 to a page in 3 rows of 5) but without the names and in a different order to that on the question sheet.
2. Contestants must clearly write down the correct name (first name and/or second name) under each photograph. |
| Scoring: |
1. A point is awarded for every correctly spelt first name.
2. A point is awarded for every correctly spelt second name.
3. Half a point is awarded for every first name that is phonetically correct but incorrectly spelt (e.g. Clare instead of Claire).
4. Half a point is awarded for every second name that is phonetically correct but incorrectly spelt (e.g. Smyth instead of Smith).
5. Points are still awarded if only the first name or the surname can be recalled.
6. To get the total points the points given for each correct name will be added up. If a non-integer result is obtained, it will be rounded up (72.5 points to 73 points).
7. In the case of tied winning scores, the winner will be decided by looking at the photograph to which name has been incorrectly assigned - the contestant with fewer incorrectly assigned photographs is winner. |
Speed cards
| Aim: |
To commit to memory and recall a single pack (deck) of 52 playing cards in the shortest possible time. |
| Time to memorise: |
5 minutes. (There are two attempts at this event with a 'fresh' deck each time.) |
| Time to recall: |
5 minutes (for each attempt). |
| Memorizing Paper: |
1. A freshly shuffled pack (deck) of 52 playing cards. The contestant may provide his/her own cards, these must be shuffled by the adjudicator before the competition.
2. Contestants who expect to memorise the complete pack (deck) of cards in less than 5 minutes:
a) must inform the adjudicator so that a timekeeper with a stopwatch (capable of measuring 1/100 of a second) can be assigned; and
b) must agree with their invigilator an appropriate signal that indicates they have finished memorizing.
3. Contestants must not begin recalling their pack until the adjudicator has announced that the 5 minute memorization period is complete.
4. The cards can be looked at repeatedly and more than one card can be looked at simultaneously. |
| Recall Paper: |
1. After the memorization phase each contestant gets a second pack of cards which is in perfect order (i.e. 2 hearts 3 hearts 4 hearts etc.) The contestant has to order this second deck of cards in the same sequence as the pack just memorized.
2. The packs will be clearly identified as the first or second (recall) pack.
3. After the recall phase both decks will be put beside each other on the table, the top card being the one memorized. |
| Scoring: |
1. The arbiter will compare each card from the memorized pack with each card of the recall pack. At the first discrepancy between the two packs, only the cards up to this point will be counted.
2. The contestant, who correctly memorizes all 52 cards in the quickest time, wins the event.
3. Points will be awarded only if the entire pack has been correctly recalled.
4. The best score from the two attempts will count.
5. In the case of tied winning scores the score of the second trial will decide the winner. |
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