Individual Subject Quizzes
There are three slots over the afternoon, each of which has three individual subject quizzes taking place simultaneously in different rooms. All attendees will select which quiz they wish to play in each slot. If none of the three in one particular slot take your fancy, then you’re free to skip one and just have a break during that session
The quizzes are written papers, each played individually. The paper will contain 75 questions, and each player will have 40 minutes to answer them. At the end of the time, answer sheets will be randomly swapped and marked to find the top 10 players in each, with the highest scorer winning a plaque to mark their achievement.
The top 10 will then play an Eliminator competition on stage in front of the other players. Players will be seeded based on where they finished in the qualifier round. In round 1, the top 6 seeds receive a bye to the quarter finals whilst the 7th seed will play the 10th seed and the 8th seed will play the 9th seed. They will each face the same 3 questions, writing their answers down and revealing them to the room. Whoever scores most points over the 3 questions progresses, if it’s a tie then the higher ranked seed will progress.
In the Quarter finals, the games will be as follows:
- Game A – 1st seed v winner of 8th seed v 9th seed
- Game B – 2nd seed v winner of 7th seed v 10th seed
- Game C – 3rd seed v 6th seed
- Game D – 4th seed v 5th seed
The players will each face the same 4 questions, writing their answers down and revealing them to the room. Whoever scores most points over the 4 questions progresses, if it’s a tie then the higher ranked seed will progress. Each match will use a fresh set of questions.
In the semi finals the games will be as follows:
- Winner Game A v Winner Game D
- Winner Game B v Winner Game C
The players will each face the same 5 questions, writing their answers down and revealing them to the room. Whoever scores most points over the 5 questions progresses whilst the loser moves to the 3rd v 4th game. If there is a tie then the higher ranked seed will progress. Each match will use a fresh set of questions.
We then move to the 3rd v 4th play off which will see the losers of the two semi finals compete over 5 questions to see who wins the bronze medal. If they’re tied after 5 questions then the higher seed wins the medal.
Finally we have our grand final which will see our two semi final winners battle it out over 6 questions to see who takes gold and who takes silver. If they’re tied after 6 questions then the higher seed wins the gold medal.
The names of the writers of each paper and a full breakdown of the question distribution for each individual subject will be made available prior to the event.
Pairs SpeedQuiz
This is a speed quiz that uses the SpeedQuizzing software. Players can organise their pairs in advance or that can be arranged on the night. Anyone who needs a pair at the event can just let the organisers know and we’ll assign you to someone else in the same position.
The quiz will consist of 100 questions using the SpeedQuizzing software. Players will need to download the app to do this and we suggest all players bring with them a fully charged smart phone or tablet on which to play the quiz. Only one player in each pair will be required to download the app.
You enter your answer on the app and receive points for every correct answer. You can also earn bonus points for being among the fastest to answer on each question, so you’ll have to manage the risk vs reward on each question. There are a wide variety of question styles during this quiz and there will be prizes for the top 3 pairs, plus the pair who finish outside the top 3 but who are fastest to answer the most often.
You’re able to pick an amusing team name, a fun buzzer noise and also upload a photo to represent your team to make this a really fun evening.
The quiz will cover a full range of subjects.
Redtooth Smart Phone Quiz
Dave Bill will be hosting an individual smart phone quiz using the Red Tooth app. Similar to the speed quiz, you’ll score points for getting questions right and bonus points for being the fastest. There will be a wide variety of types of questions in this fun, informal event taking place in one of our side rooms.
Live VIII event
This is an individual written quiz consisting of 240 questions, 30 on each of the 8 OQL subjects all written by Aaron Linge. All players answer the same questions at the same time and will all have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the quiz. At the end of the quiz we’ll mark the answer sheets and then announce our overall winners as well as all of our subject champions.
This quiz forms part of the Live VIII series of OQL events across the year so players will earn ranking points depending on their final overall position and their position in each subject.
OQL Regional Championships
Players will be placed in teams of 4 which are dependent on the regions you choose to represent. Full team lists will be announced shortly before the event.
The quiz itself is being written by Rob Hannah and will consist of 100 questions to be answered through conferring as a team with the highest scoring team being crowned our regional champions.
Oxfordshire Dons took the title in each of 2025 and 2026, will your region triumph in 2027?
Cash for Questions
In the International Suite we will have some exciting, informal quiz fun taking place under the guidance of your dedicated hosts, Ian, Bonni and Dave. There will be opportunities to win cash and prizes via your quizzing prowess. This is quite an informal event so you can pop in and out as you wish.
Multimedia TV quiz
Dave Bill and Morgan Bush are preparing a fully interactive multimedia quiz featuring 80 questions from all eras of television but all using pictures or video clips. This will be in teams (up to 6 players to a team) and teams can be organised on the morning of the event.
Teams will write their answers down and at the end of the quiz we will swap the sheets around and mark the quiz to see who our champion team are.
Connections Online Quiz League Live
If you’ve played our popular Connections Online Quiz League competition – based on the hit BBC show Only Connect – before, you’ll be very familiar with this format but this time you won’t be playing again one other team, you’ll be playing against dozens!
All teams will tackle the same quiz at the same time, earning more points the sooner that they solve the answers. Teams will need a laptop or tablet to participate in this as we will be using the standard COQL platform but adapted for this event. Only one device required per team.
You can organise your team in advance or ad hoc teams can be made on the day. All teams must consist of a maximum of 3 players.
Lewis Jones’ Big Pub Quiz
And finally, we close out the OQL Weekender once again with Lewis Jones’ Big Pub Quiz. LJ will be bringing his signature blend of chaos and charm via a mix of rounds (some of which may have come to him in dreams) designed to entertain and challenge in equal measure. Based on Saturday morning’s scores, OQL will organise teams of mixed ability, giving everyone a genuine chance to win and offering another opportunity to meet new people and flex your knowledge. Expect surprises, typos, a little bit of running, and lots of laughs.
Other social opportunities
Besides the quizzing fun there will be ample opportunities to socialise with your fellow quizzers. On Friday morning there will be an organised 5 or 7 a-side football match. On Friday evening there will be a karaoke expedition. On Saturday morning quizzers can undertake a local parkrun and throughout the weekend the bar will be open and there will be a buzzer quiz room and a board game room open 24 hours a day.