Overview
CogatXcel
Students undergo a series of tests assessing their cognitive abilities in verbal, quantitative, and
nonverbal domains, challenging their overall intellectual capabilities.
Assessment Criteria:
Verbal Reasoning: Assessing vocabulary, verbal analogies, and verbal classification skills.
English language barriers may occur.
Quantitative Reasoning: Evaluating numerical reasoning, number series, and mathematical
problem-solving abilities.
Nonverbal Reasoning: Testing spatial visualization, figure classification, and pattern
recognition skills.
Scoring and Evaluation:
Participants' performance is assessed based on the accuracy and efficiency of their
responses to the CogAT tasks.
Scoring criteria may vary based on the complexity and difficulty of the questions. Or
Standard True/False scoring.
Top performers in each grade level receive gold, silver, and bronze medals, while all
participants receive participation certificates.
RobotiXcel
Students design, build, and program robots to complete specific tasks, showcasing their
engineering skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in a dynamic and competitive
environment. Acquire a holistic skill set that intersects Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics,
and Artificial Intelligence. This comprehensive approach empowers you to design and develop
intelligent machines and robots, driving innovation and progress in various fields.
The XCEL International Competitions follow a two-round format to identify and nurture talented
students in Math, Robotics, and CogaT.
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General Information
CogatXcel
National Round: Computerized (80 mins)
20 multiple choice questions (2 points each correct answer)
5 open ended questions (3 points each correct answer)
International Round- Paper Based (90 mins)
25 multiple choice questions (2 points each correct answer)
5 open ended questions (3 points each correct answer)
!NO PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS!
RobotiXcel
National Round:
Online submission of robot designs and documentation.
Participants create detailed designs, schematics, and explanations of their robots.
Evaluation based on creativity, functionality, innovation, and practicality of the design.
Duration: To be determined by XCEL, typically 60-90 days for submission.
Scoring: Judges review and score submissions based on predefined criteria.
Medals: Gold, Silver, Bronze awarded based on percentile ranking of submissions.
International Round:
On-site showcase and presentation of robot designs held in the USA.
Finalists present their robot designs to a panel of judges.
Emphasis on explaining design choices, demonstrating functionality, and addressing
questions from the judges.
Participants may also showcase physical prototypes or models of their robots.
Judged by a panel of experts in robotics engineering and design.
Medals, certificates, and cash prizes awarded to top performers based on the judging
criteria.
National Round (Online):
The National Round takes place on the XCEL platform, where students from diverse countries
engage in a competitive online challenge. Participants answer multiple-choice questions, and the
results are automatically evaluated and recorded by the computer system. To participate,
students must register through their country's designated partners.
Global Finals (Elevating Excellence at UCLA):
Students who excel in the National Round are invited to the International Round, held at UCLA,
where they face a more challenging and traditional paper-based exam. This esteemed stage
brings together top talent from around the world, promoting a spirit of global unity and academic
excellence. Participants can engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, sharing knowledge
and ideas in a rich cultural exchange.
Awards
100% sponsorship in economy class air tickets to the top performers in Gold Medal
level/category.
30% sponsorship in economy class air tickets to the Teachers of top performers in Gold
Medal level/category.
100% sponsorship in economy class air ticket to institutions on registering minimum 500
students.
50% sponsorship in economy class air ticket to institutions on registering minimum 300
students.
20% sponsorship in economy class air ticket to institutions on registering minimum 100
students.
Cash Award for all Institutions on registering with Xcel competitions
Participation and Distinction certificates for all
Honorarium for the Institution
Certificate of Approved Center Valuable prizes like iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks
awarded at International Round
Scholarships to prestigious U.S. universities such as Sam Houston University, North
American University, UCLA and Harvard
Gold Medal - Top 10%
Silver Medal - Next 20%
Bronze Medal - Next 30%
Xcel T-Shirt - Remaining 40%
CLOSING CEREMONY
The closing ceremony celebrates the achievements of participants in the
CogAT/RobotiXcel category, along with those in other competition categories.
Awards are presented to the medalists, and certificates are distributed to all participants.
The ceremony may include speeches, performances, and other celebratory activities to
acknowledge participants' hard work and dedication.
Evaluation
CogatXcel
National Round:
The preliminary round consists of online assessments accessible to students in grades 1-
12.
Questions are tailored to each grade level to ensure appropriateness and fairness.
Tasks may include verbal analogies, number series, figure classification, and other
cognitive reasoning exercises.
Participants compete against their peers within their respective grade levels.
International Round:
Qualifying participants from the preliminary round advance to the global finals held in the
USA.
The global finals feature more advanced and challenging tasks to further test participants'
cognitive abilities.
Participants compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals based on their performance in the
finals.
RobotiXcel
Evaluating robotics design according to grade levels involves assessing various aspects of the
design process and the final robot product, taking into account the age, experience, and technical
proficiency of the students. Here's a breakdown of how to evaluate robotics design at different
grade levels:
Grades 1-5 (Junior Level):
1. Creativity and Innovation:
Assess the originality and creativity of the robot design. Look for unique features or
functionalities that demonstrate imaginative thinking.
2. Functionality:
Evaluate whether the robot performs its intended tasks effectively. Focus on simple
actions such as moving forward, turning, and interacting with objects.
3. Safety:
Ensure that the robot design prioritizes safety, especially considering the age of the
students. Check for any sharp edges, loose parts, or other hazards.
4. Aesthetics:
Consider the appearance of the robot. While not as crucial as functionality, a visually
appealing design can enhance engagement and pride in the project.
5. Documentation:
Assess the clarity and completeness of the documentation accompanying the robot
design, including drawings, diagrams, and written explanations.
Grades 6-8 (Intermediate Level):
1. Technical Complexity:
Evaluate the complexity of the robot design in terms of mechanical, electrical, and
programming components. Consider factors such as the number of sensors, motors, and
actuators used.
2. Robustness:
Assess the durability and reliability of the robot design. Evaluate whether it can withstand
minor collisions, rough terrain, or other environmental challenges.
3. Programming Skills:
Evaluate the sophistication of the programming code controlling the robot. Look for
evidence of loops, conditional statements, sensor integration, and autonomous behavior.
4. Problem-Solving:
Assess the students' ability to identify and overcome design challenges or limitations.
Consider how they iteratively refine their designs based on testing and feedback.
5. Teamwork (if applicable):
If the project involves teamwork, evaluate how effectively the team collaborates,
communicates, and distributes tasks among members.
Grades 9-12 (Senior Level):
1. Engineering Design Process:
Evaluate how well students follow the engineering design process, including problem
identification, brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
2. Innovation and Originality:
Assess the level of innovation demonstrated in the robot design. Look for novel solutions
to challenges or unique applications of technology.
3. Integration of Technologies:
Evaluate how effectively students integrate multiple technologies (e.g., sensors, actuators,
microcontrollers) into their robot design to achieve desired functionalities.
4. Real-World Applications:
Consider the practicality and relevance of the robot design to real-world problems or
applications. Evaluate whether the design addresses a specific need or challenge.
5. Presentation Skills:
Assess students' ability to communicate their design process, rationale, and results
effectively through presentations or demonstrations. Evaluate clarity, organization, and
engagement.
Overall Considerations:
Fairness: Ensure that evaluation criteria are fair and equitable, taking into account the
resources, time constraints, and prior experience of students.
Feedback: Provide constructive feedback to students, highlighting strengths and areas for
improvement in their robot designs.
Encouragement: Acknowledge and celebrate students' efforts and achievements, fostering
enthusiasm and continued interest in robotics.
Course Outline
CogATXcel
The category assesses students' cognitive abilities through various types of questions and tasks,
including verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. Tasks and questions are designed to
challenge students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills.
CogatXcel Assessment Focus by Grade Levels:
Grade 1-2: Emphasis on basic verbal and nonverbal reasoning skills, such as simple
analogies, picture classification, and basic number concepts.
Grade 3-4: Introduction to more complex verbal and quantitative reasoning tasks, including
analogies, number patterns, and figure matrices.
Grade 5-6: Advanced verbal and nonverbal reasoning exercises, incorporating higher-level
vocabulary, more intricate number series, and abstract spatial reasoning.
Grade 7-8: Challenging tasks focusing on advanced verbal analogies, mathematical
problem-solving, and abstract reasoning.
Grade 9-10: Rigorous assessments covering complex verbal and quantitative reasoning,
including critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and advanced mathematical concepts.
Grade 11-12: Comprehensive evaluation of advanced cognitive abilities, including
advanced verbal reasoning, abstract thinking, and complex problem-solving skills.
RobotiXcel
Embrace the challenge, fuel your passion, and let your innovation soar as you embark on this
thrilling robotics journey. Your creativity knows no bounds, and together, we'll shape the future of
technology.
RobotiXcel Category - I: Grades 1-5
Design Excellence—Showcase Your Creativity!
(Robots must demonstrate innovative design incorporating unique aesthetics)
RobotiXcel Category - 2: Grades 6-8:
Line Following Mastery—Precision in Every Move!
(Robots must accurately follow a designated line path with consistent speed and precision,
demonstrating seamless navigation)
RobotiXcel Category - 3: Grades 9-12:
Stair-Climbing Champions—Conquer Every Step!
(Robots must successfully navigate and climb a series of stairs, showcasing stability,balance,
and the ability to adapt to varying step heights.)
Our team love what they do – we thrive off pushing the boundaries of our students’ expectations
and our own capabilities.
