Tips and Tricks
- Look at the sample event material available online.
- Go to fbla-pbl.org/fbla/competitive-events, scroll to the bottom, and click on your event name.
- Be sure to communicate with teammates.
- For presentation and performance events, be sure to time yourself. Also, rehearse in front of friends and family and ask for feedback so that you can improve.
- Go over the judges' evaluation sheets and guidelines. Rules vary between events, so make sure you know them! Some performance provide and allow one or two note cards.
- Go to fbla-pbl.org/fbla/competitive-events, scroll to the bottom, and click on your event name.
- Some events have multiple rounds, so be prepared to attend all rounds.
Important Documents
For all prejudged events, please consult: FBLA Rating Sheets
For all production events, please consult: FBLA Format Guide
For all production events, please consult: FBLA Format Guide
How to Study for FBLA Competitive Events
Additional Resources
General Tips
- Go to www.cafbla.org/pages/CAFBLA and open the “California Awards Program (CAP)” under the Competition tab. Use Control+F or Command+F to see each time your event is mentioned in the document. The CAP's guidelines for your event will provide you with all of the information you may need about your event: the testing style, any prejudged components that may need to be turned in, rubrics, and any other information you may need to be aware of.
- Go to fbla-pbl.org/fbla/competitive-events, scroll to the bottom, and click on your event name for guidelines, practice materials, and rating sheets.
- Topics for competitive events can be found here: fbla-pbl.org/fbla/competitive-events/topics
- For presentation events, search up presentations on YouTube; many award-winning presentations are posted there. This will familiarize you with your event and its expectations.
- Talk to board members about your competitive event. This will be of tremendous help to you! Our board members have competed at FBLA conferences and can give you ideas and suggestions. We can personally help people in prejudged events and speaking events prepare for their presentations. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need help!
Additional Resources
- Search engines. Search up topics related to your event.
- Example: For Job Interview, search up “interview tips” or "how to write a resumé".
- Your local library. It will have an assortment of books and resources for you to use.
- Quizlet. Many of the tests are vocabulary oriented, so Quizlet can help you learn definitions. Also, Quizlet offers many additional functions, such as games and tests, so that you can use the studying methods that work best for you.
- Study on the go! You can download flashcard sets on the Quizlet app to study wherever you are.
General Tips
- Study with others. Hold each other accountable, help each other prepare, and share resources with each other.
- Take practice tests. We can not stress this enough: practice tests will help you succeed in your competitive event.
- Set up a reward system for yourself. Provide yourself with incentives that will motivate you to work harder!
- Examples: Reward yourself with a cookie if you concentrated on studying for an hour. Take a break from studying if you get a certain score on your latest practice test.
- Study in a quiet area. Turn off all electronics, clear the desk, and situate yourself in a quiet environment where you won’t be distracted or interrupted.