About this event
Each member takes the Writing Mechanics exam: 50 questions on the agricultural communications industry and on editing with AP style marks, worth 50 points. Its length is not printed. Next the team attends a press conference. An expert talks for 20 minutes, then students ask questions for 10 minutes. It earns no points. In up to 3 hours the team makes five products worth 100 points each: a 350 to 500 word feature story, a magazine layout, a 60 to 90 second broadcast piece, a one-week social media plan, and a 3-page communication plan. The handbook suggests at least 90 minutes for the first four. Teams have four members. All four exam scores count (200 points), and the five products add 500, for a team total of 700. FFA's grades 7 to 12 rule applies, and the handbook sets no other grade limit. The handbook names no dress code. Each student brings a laptop, tablet or phone with chargers, pens or pencils, and a headset with a microphone. AI tools, editing apps such as Grammarly, desktop computers and smartwatches are banned, and no style manual or dictionary is allowed on the exam. State winners go on to the national event at the 100th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct 27 to 30, 2027, in Indianapolis.
FormatTest + Skills
DurationWriting Mechanics exam not stated, press conference 20 min plus 10 min Q&A, team practicum up to 3 hours
Solo or teamTeam of 4
CategoryAgribusiness Systems
Your plan
How to study
Built from the official handbook. Take the check and read every lesson here with no account; a free account keeps your progress and opens flashcards, practice and full exams.
Find your weakest area
Take the 8-question check below: one question from each of the 8 biggest areas. It tells you where to start.
Start the checkLearn every area
Every area of the official handbook is below. Each has a short lesson, flashcards and practice, plus free reading.
See the areasPractice until every bar is full
Practice gives you one question at a time and leans toward the areas you miss. Your readiness meter fills as you get them right in every area.
PracticeTake a full-length exam
50 questions, the official length. Your readiness meter counts your last 3 full exams from the past 30 days, and 90% fills each one.
Take a practice exam
The areas of the exam
Agricultural communications industry
AP style and editing marks
Grammar, punctuation and spelling
Feature story writing
Magazine layout design
Broadcast production
Social media plan
Communication plan
Press conference note taking
Start here
Find your weakest area
8 questions, one from each of the 8 biggest areas of the Agricultural Communications exam. Each one is graded the moment you answer, with the reason, and the last screen tells you which area to study first. No account needed.
Judging
What judges score
Communication plan
- Overview5
- Central theme or controlling idea10
- Main question or narrative inquiry10
- Call to action10
- Feature story15
- Magazine layout15
- Broadcast production piece15
- Social media plan15
- Document specifications and grammar, spelling, and punctuation5
Feature story
- Lead/focus15
- Accuracy of information and quotes15
- Clarity and conciseness10
- Depth of coverage10
- Header/headline10
- Grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice10
- Organization and format10
- Accomplishment of purpose10
Social media plan
- Purpose and goals of plan15
- Clarity and conciseness15
- Scope of plan15
- Posts contained within plan15
- Timeline for plan10
- Grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice15
- Organization and format15
Magazine layout
- Overall attractiveness of layout20
- Technical skills specific to activity20
- Use of design principles20
- Neatness and creativity20
- Choice and placement of photos and graphics20
Broadcast production
- Use of provided materials15
- Editing/continuity quality15
- Audio editing/continuity quality15
- Length5
- Promotional value20
- Clear, creative storytelling30
Exam day
What to expect
50-question written exam
Official format: Writing Mechanics exam not stated, press conference 20 min plus 10 min Q&A, team practicum up to 3 hours.
Written from the handbook
The exam covers the areas the event's handbook lists, from the references it names. Practice questions here are drawn from the same areas.
How you advance
How many advance from districts to states and on to the National FFA Convention & Expo (National Convention) depends on your association's rules. Study the official handbook: it lists every part of the event and how each is scored.
Exam format
- Questions50 questions
- TeamTeam of 4
Competition levels: District Career Development Events, then State Career Development Events, then National FFA Convention & Expo
Official reference books
Listed in the official FFA handbook. Your school or public library may have them.
- Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, no edition or year given (paid book)
- Microsoft Office computer program (paid software)
- Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, Telg, Irani, Kent and Lundy (Eds.), 2022, free online textbook
Guidelines and resources
Bookmark to saveCurated by ChapterPrep. Free unless noted. External links open in a new tab.