When it comes to competing in DECA, countless resources tell you how to pass the exam, hit your performance indicators, and conduct a solid roleplay. But if you’re aiming for a finalist-quality performance, it takes more than just “doing the test."
Here are high-impact strategies that go beyond the basics, helping you compete with purpose, plan, and confidence.
1. Don’t Just Study the Exam...Master It
You cannot expect results from taking small practice quizzes. If you want to feel confident walking into testing, do this instead:
- Take full-length practice exams, not 10-question warm-ups. This best imitates competition day.
- Complete multiple exams (10+) until your average is consistently near perfect.
- Put any questions you get wrong in Quizlet or create notecards and continue to review them.
- Repetition is key; to start sensing patterns in questions, it is crucial to continue taking the exams consistently.
2. Solve the Role-play…But Make It Memorable
Anyone can solve the scenario. If that’s all you do, your roleplay will be short, generic, and blend in.
To stand out:
- Add real trends, statistics, or insights that go beyond what the prompt provides.
- Example: “Did you know 31% of adults have cut back on fast food spending? This means we need to focus on value-based promotions right now!"
- Important to note, this example would work in any QSRM role-play, so make sure you have things like that you’d be able to apply to any role-play in your event.
Think like an industry consultant who aims to go above and beyond, not just a problem solver.
3. Make intentional graphics
You only get 10 minutes of prep, so make every second count.
Do this:
- Design purposeful visuals (ex, mobile app screens, charts, mini-mockups of products).
- Use realistic data (ex, “a projected 8% increase in app downloads”)
Avoid this:
- Making a business card if you and the judge are from the same company.
- Graphics that are only there to “look good” but have no purpose.
- Data that is unrealistic (Ex, “$3M profit spike overnight”).
4. Make the PI’s work for you
When prepping, don't let your entire roleplay revolve around hitting each performance indicator separately. Instead:
- Use ¾ of your prep paper to bullet key points & strategies you want to share.
- Reserve ¼ of the paper to list your performance indicators.
- Draw arrows connecting your roleplay points to the PIs so they naturally fit into what you say, not the other way around.
This keeps your flow natural and allows you to focus more on unique information you can use in your role-play.
5. Mindset & Energy: Your Secret Weapon
Your judge has watched dozens of roleplays. Some robotic. Some disengaged. Be the one who captivates them! Enter with confidence, energy, and enthusiasm. Smile. Make eye contact. Show passion for your solution. Your energy sets the tone for how the judge receives your ideas. Channel nerves into excitement. If you think you’ll succeed, you’ll work harder and deliver stronger. A positive mindset directly affects performance.
Being a finalist requires hard work, dedication, and going above and beyond not only in your preparation but also in your performance. I went from never making finals at ICDC in my first two years competing to becoming a Top 20 and 7th place finalist in the last two years at ICDC, thanks to these strategies.
Always Compete with purpose, present with passion, and most importantly, be the competitor you’d be excited to judge! You have everything it takes to Go The Extra now and set yourself apart!
