The Academic Pentathlon (USAP) is an academic competition involving five academic fields of study (math, social sciences, science, literature, and fine arts). It is run by the USDA (United States Academic Decathlon). The exact topics involved vary yearly but typically include topics from the sciences and the humanities. 

The Academic Pentathlon prepares students for success in college and careers by building 21st-century skills in communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and character.  Academic Pentathlon is an exciting five-event competition for grades six, seven, and eighth. The program engages students of all achievement levels in various challenging academic events.  Under the guidance of an adult coach, teams of students prepare for competition in the subject areas of fine arts (art and music), literature (including essay analysis), math, science, and social sciences. 

The 2024-25 United States Academic Pentathlon theme is Our Changing Climate. Below is a brief summary of the topics covered.
 
SCIENCE: The science topic will be an introduction to environmental science.
 
LITERATURE: The literature curriculum will include critical reading, one long work of literature, and selected shorter works. The 2024–2025 novel is Melt by Ele Fountain,  ISBN-10: 1782692886.
 
FINE ARTS: The fine arts curriculum is a combination of art and music. The guide will offer an introduction to environmental and environmentalist art and music in the natural world.

SOCIAL SCIENCE: The social science topic will be climate change in the past and present.
 
MATHEMATICS: The mathematics curriculum will provide an overview of permutations, combinations, algebra and statistics.

United States Academic Pentathlon Curriculum Content and Common Core Standards

*All test questions will be derived from the USAP curriculum.