In 2026, Texas Bible Bowl gave away $18,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors!
Who Can Participate?
Texas Bible Bowl welcomes students from 3rd grade through adults (up to 115 years old!). While the name says “Texas,” participants from anywhere are welcome.
Bible Translation
The competition uses the English Standard Version (ESV). The NIV cannot be reproduced in bulk due to copyright restrictions. The ESV is newer, very readable, and an excellent choice for competition study. See Why the ESV? for details.
Test Format
Testing occurs Saturday morning and lasts approximately 3 hours. The exam consists of five rounds plus a Power Round:
| Round | Format | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Round | Closed Bible | Varies | 25 min | 50 |
| Round 1: Find the Verse | Open Bible | 40 | 25 min | 40 |
| Round 2: Fact Finder | Open Bible (multiple choice) | 40 | 20 min | 40 |
| Round 3: Identification | Open Bible (multiple choice) | 40 | 20 min | 40 |
| Round 4: Know the Chapter – Quotations | Closed Bible | 40 | 15 min | 40 |
| Round 5: Know the Chapter – Headings | Closed Bible | 40 | 10 min | 40 |
- Elementary division (grades 3–6) is exempt from the Power Round
- Individual maximum: 250 points (200 for Elementary)
- Team maximum: 800 points combined
Age Divisions
| Division | Grades / Age |
|---|---|
| Elementary | Grades 3–6 |
| Junior | Grades 7–9 |
| Senior | Grades 10–12 |
| Adult | Age 18+ or high school completion |
Each division (except Adult) has Inexperienced and Experienced subdivisions.
Awards
- Individual: 1st–10th place per division
- Team: 1st–10th place (if 12+ teams competing)
- Awards Ceremony: Saturday evening after dinner
Annual Curriculum
One Bible book or passage is studied each year, tested each spring. See the Curriculum page for the full 10-year rotation.
2026–27: Acts — Theme: “TBD”