Memory Disciplines/ Scoring

Canadian Memory Championships Disciplines

The rules for the Canadian Memory Championships are changing for 2020. We have posted sample memory disciplines on the Home Page to help contestants get a sense of the memory challenges that this year’s Canadian Memory Championship will bring.

In a nutshell, we keep the same memory disciplines (except for the new Images Memory Discipline) but there will be a single period of memorization and recall for everyone and we will allow contestants to go back and forth between the memo table or memo wall and their recall table. Because there will be a single period of memorization and recall,  the time for a formerly 5 minutes memory discipline has now doubled to 10 minutes.  Also, there will no longer be any double of any memory discipline.  We’re also optimizing the amount of data contestants will have to memorize meaning that when you have memorized and recalled all the data, you just stop and give a sign and the arbiters will mark your time.

2020 Canadian Memory Championships -New Rules for Rush Recall

Random Words:

The objective of this Words Memory Discipline is for the contestants to reproduce as quickly as possible and in the right order a list of 200 random words that are displayed on the memo table or that hang on a wall. The maximum time allowed for this memory discipline is 30 minutes. The words are selected randomly from the dictionary and are presented as they appear listed in an ordinary dictionary.

How it works:

At the table where contestants will be recalling the random words, the recall papers– containing the 200 words listed in alphabetical order and numbered–will be distributed. The recall papers shall remain face down on the tables until the start of the game. The recall papers will also contain a numbered list of 200 blank spaces where the correct order of each random word (from the memo display) is to be marked.

The display of the 200 Random Words Memory Discipline will be made of two pages containing 100 words each. A flap made of paper will cover the display from the top in such a way that it will make it impossible for the contestant to see the words from a seated position at the recall tables. The display of random words can be hung on a wall or made to stand upright on a desk so the flap can fall back to cover the random words after it was lifted. It will also be possible to have the memo set laid out on the table so long as it has a cover and the cover always covers the words when the contestants leave for the recall table.

Contestants shall wait for the start signal by either leaning a bit against their recall table or by keeping a hand on that table. Once the start signal is given, after a 15 second period of mental preparation, contestants will step toward the random words display and lift the flap and start memorizing the order of the random words starting with the first one listed as 1) and then the second one beneath it listed as 2).

After having memorized as many words as they wanted, the contestants can turn around the other way and head for their recall table and start filling the blanks with the correct numbers of the words that are listed in alphabetical order in their recall paper. So say, they memorized their first word was “car”, they will need to look up in the recall sheets to see the number under which “car” is listed and then put that number next to #1 in the recall sheet and then continue that way for #2 to #200.

Contestants can always go back to the display to memorize more if they didn’t memorized everything the first time around and shuttle around between the display and the recall deck at their leisure until all the random words have been marked in the right order in their recall sheets or the time has run out. Once a contestant has finished, he/she must turn his recall sheets face down. Simultaneously, the contestant shall raise his/her hand to indicate that he/she has finished and the arbiter will take note of the time. A private timing device can be used by the contestant with the condition that it is started by the contestant no later than about 5 seconds after the official start given by the arbiter. Even if a contestant uses a private timer, he/she will still be required to raise his/her hand when finished so that arbiters can mark the time. After raising his/her hand, the contestant may no longer visit his/her memo stand and shall remain at the recall table (or leave). If the contestant started his/her timepiece too late after the official start, the time recorded by the arbiter shall be used for scoring purposes.

Contestants may not bring their recall papers with them as they move toward the random words display to have a look. The recall papers must remain on or directly above the recall table at all times. Failure to comply with this rule should lead to the disqualification of the contestant.

At the 25 minute mark, the arbiter shall notify all the contestants that 5 minutes are remaining. At the 30 minute mark, the timer is stopped and contestants must stop recalling any more random word on their recall papers. Copies of the recall papers should be turned face down at that point and contestants should stay away from the memo displays.

Scoring: The arbiter(s) will privately verify the list of random words recalled. Any mistake or omission in any column will take 20 points off that column or give zero points for that column. Each column will be worth 20 points if there is no error in it. For the last column, if there are no error or omission in it, one point shall be awarded for each correctly recalled word until the last word. If the score is a perfect 200 then the amount of time used by the contestant to complete the memory discipline shall be used as the score of the contestant.

Bonus: After all the copies of the contestants have been corrected, those who have obtained a perfect score will be given offered the chance to participate in a bonus session which may take place on a stage or at their recall table, without the use of the their recall papers. Each willing participants will be asked for 3 random words, from each part of the memo set, -any random word from 1 to 66 then from 67 to 132, then from 133 to 200 and given 1 minute to come up with the 3 answers. Three correct answers will get the contestant’s time divided in 3. Two correct answer will get the contestant’s time cut in half. One correct answer and the contestant gets to keep his/her original time. Zero correct answers brings up no bonus but a penalty: the original time of the contestant is replaced by 30 min., the maximum allowable time for this memory discipline. (This is why participation in this bonus round is optional)

In the end, after the bonus round is included, the fastest time wins. If no one completed the discipline within the time limit, then the biggest score wins.

Contestants will be responsible for keeping it as quiet as they want it by bringing with them their own earplugs or by pleading out loud for silence. Organizers should allow spectators to cheer for their favourite contestants.

Names and Faces:

The objective of this memory discipline is for the contestants to quickly memorize and recall as many Names of people as they can. At the memo display, there will be black and white photos of people with their names written beneath them. At the recall tables the contestants will relay the correct name to each photo. The photos will be in a different order in the recall papers. The maximum time allowed for this Names and Faces Memory Discipline is 10 minutes.

How it works:

Participants will receive at their table the recall papers containing 54 faces together with 54 numbered names listed in alphabetical order. The recall papers shall remain face down on the contestants’ table until the start of the game.

The memo display of the Names and Faces Memory Discipline will be composed of 6 pages containing 9 names and faces on each page. A flap made of paper will cover the display from the top in such a way that it will make it impossible for the contestant to see the names and faces from a seated position at the recall tables. The display of the names and faces can be hung on a wall or made to stand upright on a desk so the flap can fall back to cover the faces  after it was lifted. It will also be possible to have the memo set laid out on the table so long as it has a cover and the cover always covers the faces when the contestants leave for the recall table.

Contestants shall wait for the start signal while leaning a bit against their recall table or by keeping a hand on that table. Once the start signal is given, after a 15 second period of mental preparation, the contestants make a step toward the names and faces display and lift the flap and start memorizing the names and linking them to the faces.

After having memorized as many names and faces as they wanted, the contestants will return to their recall table and start filling the blanks beneath the faces. All the 9 faces of the first page will be on the first page of the recall papers except that the photos will be in a different order. All the names from the memo display will be listed and numbered at the bottom of the recall page so that contestants can simply put the appropriate number beneath each photo.

Contestants can always go back to the display to memorize more if they didn’t memorized everything the first time around and shuttle around between the memo display and the recall table so long as there is time remaining. Once the contestant has finished, he/she must turn his recall sheets face down. Simultaneously, the contestant shall raise his/her hand to indicate that he/she has finished and the arbiter will take note of the time. After raising his/her hand, the contestant shall not visit the memo display anymore and shall remain at his/her recall table (or leave). A private timing device can be used by the contestant at the condition that it is started by the contestant no later than about 5 seconds after the official start given by the arbiter. Even if a contestant uses a private timer, he/she will still be required to raise his/her hand when finished so that arbiters can mark the time. If the contestant started his/her timepiece too late after the official start, the time recorded by the arbiter shall be used for scoring purposes.

Contestants may not bring their recall papers with them as they move toward the names and faces display to have a look. The recall papers must remain on or directly above the recall table at all times. Failure to comply with this rule should lead to a disqualification of the contestant.

At the 9 minute mark, the arbiter shall notify all the contestants that 1 minutes is remaining. At the 10 minute mark, the timer is stopped and contestants must stop writing on their recall papers. Copies of the recall papers should be turned face down at that point and contestants shall stand back from the memo stands.

Scoring: The arbiter(s) will privately go over the recall copies of each contestant. Any mistake on any page will give a score of zero for that page. Each correct name association will be worth 1 point and each page will be worth 9 points if there is no error in it. For the last page, if there are no errors in it, one point shall be awarded for each correctly recalled name. If the score is a perfect 54 then the amount of time used by the contestant to complete the memory discipline shall be used as the score of the contestant.

Bonus: After all the copies of the contestants have been corrected, those who have obtained a perfect score will be offered to participate in a bonus session which may take place on a stage or at their recall table. Each willing participants will be presented 3 random photos, one from each part of the memo set, -any random face from 1 to 18 then from 19 to 36, then from 37 to 54 and given 1 minute to come up with the correct answers. (Unused pages from the recall sheets will be used here.) Three correct answers will get the contestant’s time divided in 3. Two correct answer will get the contestant’s time cut in half. One correct answer and the contestant gets to keep his/her original time. Zero correct answers brings a minor penalty: the original timing of the contestant is replaced by 10 min., the maximum allowable time for this memory discipline. (Because there is a potential penalty, participation in this round is always optional.)

In the end, after the bonus round is included, the fastest time wins. If no one completed the discipline within the time limit, then the biggest score wins.

Contestants will be responsible for keeping it as quiet as they want by bringing with them their own earplugs or by pleading out loud for silence. Organizers should allow spectators to cheer for their favourite contestants so long as it doesn’t get too rowdy.

Numbers:

The objective of this memory discipline is for the contestants to quickly memorize and recall as many digits as they can. At the memo display, there will be a set of 180 numbers. At the recall tables, contestants will simply be required to identify the one digit that is wrong in each recall line. The maximum time allowed for this Numbers Memory Discipline is 10 minutes.

How it works:

Participants will receive at their table the recall papers containing 15 lines of 12 digits contained in the memo papers except that in each of those 15 lines, there is one digit that has been wrongly copied. The recall papers must remain face down during the countdown to the start of the game. The memo display of the Numbers Memory Discipline will be made of 1 page of 180 digits numbers set in 15 rows of 12. A flap made of paper will cover the display from the top in such a way that it will make it impossible for the contestant to see the numbers from a seated position at the recall tables. The Numbers display can be hung on a wall or made to stand upright on a desk so the flap can fall back to cover the faces after it was lifted. It will also be possible to have the memo set laid out on the table so long as it has a cover and the cover always covers the faces when the contestants leave for the recall table.

Contestants shall wait for the start signal while leaning a bit against their recall table or by keeping a hand on that table. Once the start signal is given, after a 15 second period of mental preparation, the contestants make a step toward the numbers display and lift the flap and start memorizing the numbers.

After having memorized as many digits as they want, the contestants can return to their recall table and start looking for that one wrong digit in every line to circle it. Contestants can always go back to the display to memorize more if they didn’t memorized everything the first time around and shuttle around between the memo display and the recall table at their own leisure as long as there is time remaining. Once the contestant has finished circling all 15 wrong digits, he/she must turn his recall sheets face down. Simultaneously, the contestant shall raise his/her hand to indicate that he/she has finished and the arbiter will take note of the time. After raising his/her hand, the contestant shall not visit the memo display anymore and shall remain at his/her recall table (or leave). A private timing device can be used by the contestant at the condition that it is started by the contestant no later than about 5 seconds after the official start given by the arbiter. Even if a contestant uses a private time, he/she will still be required to raise his/her hand when finished so that arbiters can mark the time. If the contestant started his/her timepiece too late after the official start, the finish time recorded by the arbiter shall be used for scoring purposes.

Contestants may not bring their recall papers with them as they move toward the numbers display to have a look. The recall papers must remain on or directly above the recall table at all times. Failure to comply with this rule should lead to a disqualification of the contestant.

At the 9 minute mark, the arbiter shall notify all the contestants that 1 minutes is remaining. At the 10 minute mark, the timer is stopped and contestants must stop writing on their recall papers. Contestant shall then stand back from the memo displays. Copies of the recall papers should be turned face down at that point.

Scoring: The arbiter(s) will privately go over the numbers recall sheet of every contestant. Any mistake or omission on any row will gives a score of zero for that row. Each row will be worth 1 point if the incorrect digit has been circled. If the score is a perfect 15 then the amount of time used by the contestant to complete the memory discipline shall be used as the score of the contestant.

Bonus: After all the copies of the contestants have been corrected, those who have obtained a perfect score will be offered the chance to participate in a bonus session. This session takes place on a stage or at their recall table and without the use of the their recall papers. Each willing participants will be asked for 3 random digits, from each part of the memo set, -any random word from 1 to 60 then from 61 to 120, then from 121 to 180 and given 1 minute to come up with the answers. Three correct answers will get the contestant’s time divided by 3. Two correct answer will get the contestant’s time cut in half. One correct answer and the contestant gets to keep his/her original time. Zero correct answers and the contestant’s original time is replaced by 10 min., the maximum allowable time for this memory discipline. (Participation in the bonus round is optional so that participants may avoid this penalty.)

In the end, after the bonus round is included, the fastest time wins. If no one completed the discipline within the time limit, then the biggest score wins.

Contestants will be responsible for keeping it as quiet as they want it by bringing with them their own earplugs or by pleading out loud for silence. Organizers should allow spectators to cheer for their favourite contestants.

Images:

The objective of this Images Memory Discipline is for the contestants to quickly memorize and recall the order of images set on rows. The contestant who can recall the most images in the correct order will lead the game. At the recall tables, the contestants will have the same images as there is in the memo display but in a scrambled order which will need to be reordered. The maximum time allowed for this Images Memory Discipline is 10 minutes.

How it works:

Participants will receive at their table the recall papers containing scrambled images of the images at the memo display. The recall papers shall remain face down during the countdown to the start of the game. The display of the Images Memory Discipline will be composed of 6 pages containing 5 rows of 5 images each. A flap made of paper will cover the display from the top in such a way that it will make it impossible for the contestant to see the images from a seated position at the recall tables. The images display can be hung on a wall or made to stand upright on a desk so the flap can fall back to cover the faces after it was lifted. It will also be possible to have the memo set laid out on the table so long as it has a cover and the cover always covers the faces when the contestants leave for the recall table.

Contestants shall wait for the start signal while leaning a bit against their recall table or by keeping a hand on that table. Once the start signal is given, after a 15 second period of mental preparation, the contestants make a step toward the image display and lift the flap and start memorizing the order of the images.

After having memorized as many rows of images as they wanted, the contestants can return to their recall table and start filling in the blanks. At the recall table, contestants will be faced with the same items in each row but in a different order. Contestants must put the order number of the image beneath each and every image. If the first image in the recall paper was the fifth image in the memo row, then the contestant must put a 5 beneath that image, etc.

Contestants can always go back to the display to memorize more if they didn’t memorized everything the first time around and shuttle around between the memo display and the recall table at their leisure so long as there is time remaining. Once the contestant has finished, he/she must turn his recall sheets face down. Simultaneously, the contestant shall raise his/her hand to indicate that he/she has finished and the arbiter will take note of the time. After raising his/her hand, the contestant shall not visit the memo display anymore and shall remain at his/her recall table (or leave). A private timing device can be used by the contestant at the condition that it is started by the contestant no later than about 5 seconds after the official start given by the arbiter. Even if a contestant uses a private time, he/she will still be required to raise his/her hand when finished so that arbiters can mark the time. If the contestant started his/her timepiece too late after the official start, the time recorded by the arbiter shall be used for scoring purposes.

Contestants may not bring their recall papers with them as they move toward the names and faces display to have a look. The recall papers must remain on or directly above the recall table at all times. Failure to comply with this rule should lead to a disqualification of the contestant.

At the 9 minute mark, the arbiter shall notify all the contestants that 1 minutes is remaining. At the 10 minute mark, the timer is stopped and contestants must stop writing on their recall papers. Contestant shall then stand back from the memo displays and copies of the recall papers should be turned face down at that point.

Scoring: The arbiter will privately go over the recall papers of the Image Memory Discipline. Any mistake on any row will gives a score of zero for that row. Each correctly recalled images is worth 1 point and each row will be worth 5 points if there is no error in it. For the last row, if there are no errors in it, one point shall be awarded for each correctly recalled image. If the score is perfect then the amount of time used by the contestant to complete the memory discipline shall be used as the score of the contestant.

Bonus: After all the copies of the contestants have been corrected, those who have obtained a perfect score will be offered the chance to participate in a bonus session. That session may take place on a stage or at their recall table and will happen without the use of the contestant’s own recall papers. Each willing participants will be asked for the specific order of 3 images from each part of the memo set, -any random image from 1 to 20  then from 21 to 40, then from 41 to 60 and given 1 minute to come up with the answers. (Unused sheets from the recall display will be used to ask the contestants) Three correct answers will get the contestant’s time divided in 3. Two correct answer will get the contestant’s time cut in half. One correct answer and the contestant gets to keep his/her original time. Zero correct answers and the contestant and the original time of the contestant is replaced by 10 min., the maximum allowable time for this memory discipline.(Participation in the bonus round is optional so that participants may avoid this penalty.)

In the end, after the bonus round is included, the fastest time wins. If no one completed the discipline within the time limit, then the biggest score wins.

Contestants will be responsible for keeping it as quiet as they want it by bringing with them their own earplugs or by pleading out loud for silence. Organizers should allow spectators to cheer for their favourite contestants.

Speed Cards

The objective of this memory discipline is for the contestants to quickly memorize and recall as many cards as they can. At the memo display, there will be a deck of cards laid out in 4 rows of 13 cards. At the recall tables, contestants will simply attempt to recall all the cards in the right order using a deck in new deck order (or whatever order the contestant prefers). The maximum time allowed for this Cards Memory Discipline is 10 minutes.

How it works:

Participants will have at their table their own recall deck or one furnished by the organizer which may be prepared at the discretion of the contestant. The memo display of the Cards Memory Discipline will be made of 1 page of 52 cards set in 4 rows of 13. A flap made of paper will cover the display from the top in such a way that it will make it impossible for the contestant to see the numbers from a seated position at the recall tables. The cards display can be hung on a wall or made to stand upright on a desk so the flap can fall back to cover the cards after it was lifted. It will also be possible to have the memo set laid out on the table so long as it has a cover and the cover always covers the cards when the contestants leave for the recall table.

Contestants shall wait for the start signal while leaning a bit against their recall table or by keeping a hand on that table. Once the start signal is given, after a 15 second period of mental preparation, the contestants make a step toward the cards display and lift the flap and start memorizing the cards.

After having memorized as many cards as they want, the contestants can return to their recall table and start rearranging their recall decks. Contestants can always go back to the display to memorize more if they didn’t memorized everything the first time around and shuttle around between the memo display and the recall table at their own leisure as long as there is time remaining. Once the contestant has finished, he/she must turn his recall deck face down. Simultaneously, the contestant shall raise his/her hand to indicate that he/she has finished and the arbiter will take note of the time. After raising his/her hand, the contestant shall not visit the memo display anymore and shall remain at his/her recall table (or leave). A private timing device can be used by the contestant at the condition that it is started by the contestant no later than about 5 seconds after the official start given by the arbiter. Even if a contestant uses a private time, he/she will still be required to raise his/her hand when finished so that arbiters can mark the time. If the contestant started his/her timepiece too late after the official start, the finish time recorded by the arbiter shall be used for scoring purposes.

Contestants may not bring their recall cards with them as they move toward the cards display to have a look. The recall cards must remain on or directly above the recall table at all times. Failure to comply with this rule should lead to a disqualification of the contestant.

At the 9 minute mark, the arbiter shall notify all the contestants that 1 minutes is remaining. At the 10 minute mark, the timer is stopped and contestants must stop rearranging their recall decks. Contestant shall then stand back from the memo displays. Contestant can promptly put their piles of cards into a single deck at this point.

Scoring: The arbiter(s) will privately go over the recalled cards. At the first mistake the arbiter stops counting and the number of correctly recalled cards is the score of the contestant.  If the score is a perfect 52 then the amount of time used by the contestant to complete the memory discipline shall be used as the score of the contestant.

Bonus: After all the recall decks of the contestants have been corrected, those who have obtained a perfect score will be given offered the chance to participate in a bonus session. This session takes place on a stage or at their recall table and without the use of the their recall papers. Each willing participants will be asked for 3 random cards, from each part of the memo set, -any random word from 1 to 17 then from 18 to 34, then from 34 to 52 and given 1 minute to come up with the answers. Three correct answers will get the contestant’s time divided by 3. Two correct answer will get the contestant’s time cut in half. One correct answer and the contestant gets to keep his/her original time. Zero correct answers and the contestant’s original time is replaced by 10 min., the maximum allowable time for this memory discipline. (Participation in the bonus round is optional so that participants may avoid this penalty.)

In the end, after the bonus round is included, the fastest time wins. If no one completed the discipline within the time limit, then the biggest score wins.

Contestants will be responsible for keeping it as quiet as they want it by bringing with them their own earplugs or by pleading out loud for silence. Organizers should allow spectators to cheer for their favourite contestants.

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2019 Canadian Memory Championships Rules (These rules are now being retired):

Pour ces règlements en francais, http://www.canadianmemorychampionships.ca/en-francais/

New for 2018: To try and get more beginners interested in the sport, we have decide to modify the scoring method when any score is below 30 points for Random Numbers and / or for Random Words. What we will do then is to recalculate the score but taking out only 2 points per mistake that would normally cost more points. The contestant’s maximum score is then limited to a maximum of 30 points.

Random Words

(A French version of the random words will be made available at the competition provided that it is requested by a contestant at least 2 weeks before the start of the competition at contact@canadianmemorychampionships.ca )

This discipline involves 15 minutes of memorization of a list of random words (spelled as they are found in the dictionary, with a ratio of about 80% concrete nouns, 10% verbs, and 10% abstract nouns) followed by a 30 minutes recall period. The list is made of words that are mostly short and well known.

There will be 400 words spread on 4 sheets made of 5 columns of 20 words each. One point is given for each word correctly recalled. A spelling mistake that does not change the meaning of the word costs only one point. (Memorize, crib but then recall, crab will cost you half the point in the column but memorize: cemetery and then recall cemetary will cost you only one point.) Any missing or wrong word costs half of the points in a column.

During the memorization, there will be a single time reminder provided when there is only 5 minutes left.

Each contestant must begin at the first column and no column can be skipped.

Each column of 20 words is corrected individually.

Recalled words must match their correct location on the grid or they are considered wrong: For example, if a single word is missing from the first column but a blank has not been left where the missing word should be, all the remaining words will be off by one and all those remaining words will be considered wrong with zero points being the result, even if all the remaining words are recalled correctly.

On the correction sheets, the last column is corrected up to the last recalled word of the contestant. The blanks after this last word are not considered as missing words and no points is lost for those blanks but this rule is specific to the last column only.

In case of a tie (two contestants having the same number of points), we will look at the columns where they were errors and determine the winner by finding the contestant who has the most correctly recalled words in those columns.

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Speed Cards

At the moment, we have only English decks of playing cards. If you want any other language, then please bring your own decks of  cards. Contestants can bring their own cards but they must be approved by the chief arbiter before the start of the memorization of the deck.

In this discipline you have 5 minutes to memorize the order of cards of a randomly shuffled deck of playing cards followed by  5 minutes to recall the deck by re-arranging another pack (in new pack order) into the order of the memorized deck.

Contestants who believe they will memorize their deck of cards in less than 5 minutes must inform the arbiters prior to the start of the test.

There are two separate attempts and we keep the contestant’s best score.

For the memorization, a red deck of cards will be used. For the recall, we will provide a black or deep blue cards. We use the Bicycle brand.

The two decks will be on the table. The black/deep blue recall deck will be set in new pack order. The contestants may look at these recall cards and even change their order if they want. The red shuffled deck must remain face down on the table.

One minute of silent mental preparation will be followed by a voice signal: “Neurons at the ready!” This means there is about 10 seconds left before the start.  At that time, contestants may pick up their red pack and hold it in their hands face down until the “Go!” signal.

When there is only one minute left, the arbiter will say, “One minute remaining.”

When the time is up, the arbiter will say, “Stop memorizing!” The cards must then be immediately put face down on the table. Contestants who continue to memorize cards after the end of the recall period will have their memorization attempt disqualified.

Contestant must memorize silently.  Any undue noise created by a contestant may have his or her memorization attempt disqualified at the discretion of the arbiter.

After the memorization of the deck, the arbiters will carefully move the red deck, face down, near the far end of the table, or away from the contestants. Once this is done, there will be 10 seconds of mental preparation time, at which time the contestants may hold the black/deep blue deck in their hands.  Then the arbiter will say, “Go!” or  “Start re-arranging the decks!”  When there is only one minute left to the recall period, the arbiter will say, “One minute remaining”  and when the time is up, ” Stop re-arranging the cards!”  At that point, the re-arranged deck should be put face down on the table.

For the correction, the red pack will be put on the table side by side with the black/deep blue pack and the top red card will be turned over.

Contestants can request that the arbiter matches the top red card with the bottom black/deep blue deck. Contestants may also request that the arbiter starts by matching the bottom red card with the bottom black/deep blue cards. It is therefore vital that the contestants know at which end of the black/deep blue recall deck is located the recalled card that will match either the top or bottom red card when the red deck is face down.

Cards are counted up to the first mistake. If the 7th card is incorrect, the score of the contestant will be 6 cards.

If there is any error in the deck, the recall time will be marked down as 5 minutes.

In case of a tie between two contestants, we will use the result of the contestant’s other Speed Cards attempt to break the tie.

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 Speed Numbers (5 minutes)

The objective:

To memorize as many random digits (1, 3, 5, 8, 2, 5, etc.) as quickly as possible and then recall them perfectly.

Contestants have one attempt and possibly two, time permitting.

1. Computer generated numbers will be presented in 2 rows of 12 digits each by 28 lines per page.

Recall

1. Contestant have 15 minutes to recall the numbers.

2. Contestants must use the Recall Papers provided.

Scoring

1. 12 points are given for every complete row that is perfectly recalled.

2. For every completed row of 12 digits that has a single mistake or omission in it, 0 points are awarded for that row.

3. If the last row is incomplete but there are no errors up until the end then one point will be awarded for each correctly recalled number.

4. If two attempts were held, we keep the contestant’s best score.

5. Whoever has the highest score is the winner of this event.

In case of tied winning scores, the arbiter will look at the memory athletes’ lines in which there were mistakes or omissions and for which no points were given. For every correctly positioned digit 1 tie-braking point will be given. The contestant with more of these tie-braking points wins.

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Names and Faces (5 minutes)

The objective is to memorize as many full names as possible along with the faces associated with those full names.

1. Memory athletes are given black and white photographs of different people (head and shoulders shots with no backgrounds) with a first or given name and a last name printed underneath each picture.

2. Faces are of a wide range of ethnic groups. Names are to be drawn randomly from a Canadian Phone book.

3. Names are assigned to faces randomly.

4. An effort will be made to select from the phone book a mixture of international names from different languages from all continents. First and Second Names shall be combined entirely at random (e.g. a person may have a Chinese first name and a Western surname) and assigned to faces at random. Only the first name will respect the gender of the person in the picture.

5. Hyphenated names, such as Deborah-Austin, shall not be used as they can be considered as two names in some cultures i.e. China.

6. Pictures will be provided in 3 rows of 3 per page on sheets 8’5 by 11.

 Recall

1. Memory athletes will be handed out the black and white photographs again in the same format as the memorization paper but with the names removed and the pictures in a different order.

2. Contestants must spell the correct name (first and/or last name) beneath each photograph in the correct order, first name or given name followed by surname or family name.

3. Contestants have 15 minutes for the recall.

Scoring

1. One point is awarded for every correctly spelt first name.

2. One point is awarded for every correctly spelt second name.

3. Zero point is awarded for every phonetically correct but incorrectly spelt name (e.g. Nathalie instead of Natalie.)

4.There are no penalty if only the first name or the surname is recalled, however it must be clear that the recalled name is either a first name or last name. Contestants must use the first part of the divided line for the first name and the second part of the divided line for the last name.

6. To get the total points, the points received for each correct name will be added up.

7. Any point will be disallowed for any name that is written down more than once.

8. Accents are shown but there is no penalty if they are not memorized and are missing.

7. In the case of tied winning scores, the winner will be decided by looking at the photograph to which the contestants have incorrectly assigned names – the contestant with the fewer incorrectly assigned names wins.

( We provide a one page sample of this Names and Faces Discipline at http://www.canadianmemorychampionships.ca/resources/  )

Scoring at the Canadian Memory Championships:

3 points are awarded for a first place, 2 points for a second place, and 1 point for a third place in each of the four disciplines.