Exam ordering instructions

The School Contest Administrator (supervising teacher) will register, order, and submit payment for contests online.

• The School Contest Administrator is the teacher registering for each contest on behalf of all participants/classes in the high school. It is important to tally and order the correct number of contests if more than one class in the same high school is participating.
• While schools are encouraged to purchase multiple contests for their students to participate in, students are only eligible to be registered for ONE (1) chemistry contest appropriate to their level:
  • Chem 13 News contest is for Grade 12 students who have completed, or are nearing completion of, their 2nd high school chemistry course.
  • Avogadro contest is for Grade 11 students who have completed, or are nearing completion of, their 1st high school chemistry course.
• NO REFUNDS will be processed. It is important to confirm you are ordering the correct contest and quantity.
• Submitted an order and need additional contests?
  • Determine which contest and the number of additional contests required.
  • Complete the contest order form again, adding a note under the heading “ADDITIONAL NOTES” stating “Add "(X)" extra contests to my original order.”
• School email addresses and school phone numbers are required. No personal information is accepted.
• Shipping address must be entered as the school’s physical mailing address. No personal addresses accepted.
• No P.O. boxes will be accepted.
• Credit card payment is required when submitting the registration. Once the teacher (School Contest Administrator) completes online ordering and payment, they will receive an automated email confirmation. Please retain this email as proof of payment, as this is your official receipt.
• We are not able to accept purchase orders or provide invoices.
• For schools in China, customs requires buyers to include a resident ID number for all purchases. ID number will be on the checkout page where you enter payment information. If it is not entered you will not be able to process through. This is not something that we enforce; it is a requirement of the Chinese government.

• Teachers must ensure students write the contest in-person on the designated day.
• All contest correspondence will be sent to the School Contest Administrator (supervising teacher) via email.
• The week of the contest, the School Contest Administrator will receive an email from noreply-scion@uwaterloo.ca with information on the online contest process, instructions for administering the contest, and a login and password for SciOn. SciOn is the platform used by the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo for its annual science contests.
  • Note: Students cannot log in until the day of the contest. Login credentials should not be given to students prior to the contest period.
• For schools registered for multiple contests, School Contest Administrators will receive unique login credentials for each contest. It is important to use the correct login and password for each. If you have not received your login credentials, check your spam and junk folder. If you still require assistance, please email sci.contests@uwaterloo.ca.
• For contest details and process-related questions, please refer to the Frequently asked questions page.

Each student will require:

• A device with Internet access. Approved devices for writing the contests include: desktop computers, laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads.
• Teachers will also require a device with internet access to administer the contest and to access student results.
• One of the following browsers installed on an approved device: Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. Other browsers may cause unforeseen problems.
• Only one browser and one tab are permitted to be open during the contest.
• A scientific calculator. No otutside materials or devices are allowed during the contest.

Please email us at sci.contests@uwaterloo.ca if a student requires a time extension.