Coach FAQs

1. What is LifeSmarts?
2. Who operates LifeSmarts?
3. What are the costs to participate in LifeSmarts?
4. Are there LifeSmarts teaching resources available online?
5. What is LifeSmarts -- the ultimate consumer challenge?
6. May players work together to complete the online competition?
7. How many rounds are there in the competition?
8. How long do the students have to complete the competition?
9. What is the maximum number of teams on which a player may compete?
10. How many online teams may I coach?
11. How do I check my team's status?
12. How are scores calculated?
13. How does a team qualify for eligibility to play in the in-person state competition?
14. How are composite scores determined?
15. My team has a lot of students that qualified for the in-person state competition. Which students can attend the in-person competition?
16. When and where are the in-person competitions held in my state?
17. How many teams may I bring to an in-person competition?
18. What are the rules for state in-person competitions?
19. How many teams from my state will be at the in-person state competition?
20. My state does not have a coordinator. May I still form a team to compete online?
21. Is there any advance information available about LifeSmarts Nationals?

1. What is LifeSmarts?

LifeSmarts is an educational tool that develops the consumer and marketplace knowledge and skills of teens. LifeSmarts teaches teens consumer literacy in Personal Finance, Consumer Rights & Responsibilities, Technology, Health & Safety and the Environment. The LifeSmarts program year runs on the standard academic year - Septmber to April - to complement classroom curricula.

2. Who operates LifeSmarts?

LifeSmarts is operated by the National Consumers League and sponsors who donate money and other resources in support of consumer education for high school and middle school students.

3. What are the costs to participate in LifeSmarts?

LifeSmarts is a free activity. There is no registration fee to participate at any level of the LifeSmarts program.

4. Are there LifeSmarts teaching resources available online?

Yes, we provide free online teaching resources here.

5. What is LifeSmarts -- the ultimate consumer challenge?

LifeSmarts -- the ultimate consumer challenge is an online competition available to all US students in 6th-12th grade. With the support of an adult coach, students form an online team, use the practice tools available on this Web site, and then compete in the online competition. Teams with qualifying scores are then invited to an in-person competition organized by their state's LifeSmarts State Coordinator, where teams compete for the title of LifeSmarts State Champion. State Champion teams are then invited to compete at the LifeSmarts National Competition to compete for the National LifeSmarts Champion title.

6. May players work together to complete the online competition?

The online competition is an individual pursuit. Please remind your students to work independently on each level of the Internet competition.

7. How many rounds are there in the competition?

There are 3 rounds to the online competition.Round 1 - Individual Questions. Round 2 - Team Questions. Round 3 - Challenge Round.

8. How long do the students have to complete the competition?

Players may take the competition quizzes at any time within the time frame for your state's online competition. Please check your state competition schedule for dates. All 3 quizzes must be completed by the closing date of your state's competition -- it is up to you and the players to determine your time frame.

9. What is the maximum number of teams on which a player may compete?

A player can only play on one online team. If the player competes on more than one team, he or she will be disqualified.

10. How many online teams may I coach?

Coaches may sign up as many online teams as they wish. Remember: if you sign up just four players as a team, all four players must complete each level of the competition in order to have a chance to compete at the next level.

11. How do I check my team's status?

You must log in to the Coach's Corner to retrieve this information.

12. How are scores calculated?

Players receive a score for each 20-question competition quiz they complete. Each student will complete all three levels of the competition to achieve a cumulative score.

13. How does a team qualify for eligibility to compete in the in-person state competition?

To qualify for your state competition, your team must have one of the highest composite scores. If you have at least four players who complete all three levels of the competition, and you are a top-scoring team within your state, you will be eligible to create a team to compete at an in-person competition.

14. How are composite scores determined?

Composite scores are determined by averaging the top four players' scores.

15. My team has a lot of students that qualified for the in-person state competition. Which students can attend the in-person competition?

Coaches with a large number of players competing on one team will get a list of qualifying students from which to choose their in-person team members. It is up the the individual coach to choose which of those students will make up the team.

16. When and where are the in-person competitions held in my state?

State competition locations and dates vary by state, and take place from mid-November to mid-March. You can find the location of your state competition by visiting your state LifeSmarts program page.

17. How many teams may I bring to an in-person competition?

Several states allow coaches to bring one team per organization/school. If you have questions about the guidelines in your state, please contact your state's LifeSmarts Coordinator.

18. What are the rules for state in-person competitions?

Please click here for state rules and regulations.

19. How many teams from my state will be at the in-person state competition?

Your state's coordinator determines the number of teams that will advance to the in-person state competition.

20. My state does not have a coordinator. May I still form a team to compete online?

Yes. The highest scoring online team in your state will be invited to represent your state at the National Championship. NCL may host an additional level on online play to determine the state champion team.

21. Is there any advance information available about LifeSmarts Nationals?

The National Consumers League hosts the annual LifeSmarts National Championship in a major city each Spring. Please check here for current information.