Handbooks & Manuals for Academic Contests
CONTEST HANDBOOKS & MANUALS
The UIL publishes manuals and handbooks as free downloads to provide guidelines for each UIL academic contest. Handbooks are intended for contestants, coaches and contest directors. All participants should be familiar with the contents. Most are updated every year or substantially revised every few years as needed.
General Academics
Accounting Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Current Issues & Events Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Literary Criticism Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Ready Writing Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Social Studies Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Spelling & Vocabulary Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
STEM
Calculator Applications Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Computer Science Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Mathematics Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Number Sense Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
Science Handbook *Revised Aug. 2026
2026-2027 Robotics Handbook - coming soon
Theatre & Film
Handbook for One-Act Play 26th Edition
Film Participant Guide 2024-2025
Theatrical Design for Middle School Pilot 24-25
Young Filmmakers Guide 2019-20, addendum coming soon
4th ed. Handbook for A+ OAP Junior High Contests
Journalism
Speech & Debate
2026-2027 New Speech Coach Guide
2026-2027 Congress Handbook
2026-2027 CX Debate Handbook
2026-2027 Informative & Persuasive Speaking Handbook
2026-2027 Lincoln-Douglas Debate Handbook
2026-2027 Prose & Poetry Handbook
High School Coordinators/Meet Directors
Academic Coordinator's Manual 2025-2026
District Academic Meet Director's Manual *Revised Jan. 2026
Regional Academic Meet Director's Manual *Revised Feb. 2026
District Entries in Team Events - Six Entry Option Clarification *Revised Sept. 2023
Specific Contest Manuals
Calculator Applications Contest Manual
Calculator Applications Manual for Numerical Problems
Calculator Applications Manual for Stated & Geometry Problems
High School Academics
If you are the campus high school academic coordinator and have not yet registered, please complete the Academic Coach/Coordinator Registration Form. This is an annual submission.
A+ Academics
If you are your campus coordinator in grades 2-8 and have not yet registered, please do so here. This is an annual submission. Registered A+ coordinators will receive the A+ Handbook.