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National Classical Etymology Exam Is Approaching!

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.
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National Classical Etymology

Competition Overview

Open to any students
Eligibility
$25; $20 for ACL members; $15 for NJCL Chapter Sponors
Registration fee
September 1 - October 25
Registration deadline
$7; $6 for ACL members
Online Exam
November 1 - December 10
Examination Window

Competition Details

1. Eligibility

The exam is generally intended for students in grades 6-12, though it is open to all grade levels. 

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

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