Qualifying Points

Throughout the competition season, students will earn points for each tournament event in which they participate. Awarded points will vary based on the event category and their placement in the round/overall event. Below are links to many helpful resources to aid in understanding the point systems.

Texas Forensic Association (TFA)

TFA has a fantastic website with tons of useful information: https://www.txfa.org/tfa-state

When students talk about being state-qualified or “going to state”, they are referring to TFA. At any point throughout the season, students can look up their TFA point accruals on the TFA State webpage: https://www.txfa.org/tfa-state

Students need 10 TFA qualifying points to be state-qualified.

National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA)

This is a great resource to learn more about NSDA and its tournament opportunities: https://www.speechanddebate.org/local-district-national-tournaments/

When students talk about “going to nationals“, they are referring to NSDA’s national tournament. Information regarding NSDA points may be found here: https://www.speechanddebate.org/learn/topic/merit-points/

Students need 25 NSDA points to be qualified for nationals.