TeamworkTest, then Live RoundsTeam Event

Biomedical Debate

Teams of 3 or 4 take a 50-question test on this year's resolution about rationing scarce healthcare, then the top teams are seeded into a bracket of timed affirmative-versus-negative debates.

The AI judge does not score this round. Use the practice test for Round One.

About this event

Biomedical Debate is a team event (3 to 4 members) for the Secondary and Postsecondary/Collegiate divisions. Each year HOSA sets a resolution; for 2026-27 it is that limited healthcare resources should be allocated to patients with the greatest likelihood of long-term survival. Round One is a 50-question multiple-choice test in 60 minutes written from the published references on that topic (Breaking the Age Code, The Ethics of Health Care Rationing and three online articles on resource allocation and longevity). The team's average test score only seeds the bracket; it is not part of the final score, except to break ties. Round Two is a single-elimination bracket, usually 32 Secondary and 8 Postsecondary teams at ILC. Teams draw affirmative or negative on entering the room, may bring printed notes but no props, and follow a fixed pattern of six two-minute speeches (first affirmative, first negative, second negative, second affirmative, negative rebuttal, affirmative rebuttal) with 30-second transitions, about 15 minutes per match, with no time warnings and no timing devices. At least three members must speak and only one speaker may be at the podium. Judges score each speech on persuasiveness, flow and relevance, plus voice, stage presence, diction, decorum and team participation, and award 10 points to the side with the best overall arguments; before that bonus the affirmative's items add up to 85 points and the negative's to 75, and the side with the higher average judges' score wins and advances. Prep time was removed this year.

Test day

What to expect

Round One test, then live rounds

Round One is a 50-question test in 60 minutes; the top scorers advance to the live rounds. Official format: 50-question test, 60 minutes (team average, seeding only), then bracketed debates of six 2-minute speeches with 30-second transitions, about 15 minutes per match.

Written from the test plan

Questions follow the event's published test plan, section by section, and are written from the listed reference texts. Practice questions here are drawn in the same proportions.

How you advance

How many advance from regionals to states and on to the International Leadership Conference (ILC) depends on your association's rules. Study the official test plan: it lists each section and its share of the test.

What judges score

1. First Affirmative Speech: Arguments and Evidence (10), Flow and Logic of Speech (10), Relevance of Arguments (10)2. First Negative Speech: Arguments and Evidence, counterarguments (15)3. Second Negative Speech: Arguments and Evidence (10), Flow and Logic of Speech (5), Relevance of Arguments (5)4. Second Affirmative Speech: Arguments and Evidence, counterarguments (15)5. Negative Summary / Rebuttal Speech: Evidence and Effectiveness (5), Clarification of Argument (5), Relevance of Rebuttal (5)6. Affirmative Summary / Rebuttal Speech: Evidence and Effectiveness (5), Clarification of Argument (5), Relevance of Rebuttal (5)7 and 8. Overall Debate Qualities, each side: Voice (5), Stage Presence (5), Diction, Pronunciation and Grammar (5), Decorum (5), Team Participation (5)9. Best Overall Arguments, debate winner (10); the speech and quality rows add to 85 for the affirmative and 75 for the negative before that bonus, although the printed rubric labels both sides Total Points (85)

What's on the test

2026-27 resolution: Limited healthcare resources should be allocated to patients with the greatest likelihood of long-term survivalEthics of healthcare rationing and allocation of scarce medical resourcesBeliefs about aging and longevity scienceShared ethical frameworks for allocating resources (lessons from COVID-19)

Study resources

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