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National Reading Champions Quiz

NRCQ final 2024

Introducing the National Reading Champions Quiz

The National Reading Champions Quiz is an aspirational event that recognises and celebrates the book knowledge of more than 2,000 keen readers aged 10 to 14 each year.

23 regional heats are delivered across the whole of the UK and the winners of the heats go on to compete in an amazing grand final event in London.

The quiz is fortunate to benefit from the generous support of the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).

Our pupils have cherished every moment of their experience of being part of the reading champions team. They have bonded over their love of books, become really good friends and were so, so excited to win their heat and get to the final.

Librarian, Harris Academy Sutton

Why join the quiz?

  • Students

    Your star readers become part of a team, represent their school in a national competition and have a chance to really shine.

  • Reading

    Celebrates libraries and librarians, raises the profile of reading in school and encourages a wider reading community across the UK.

  • Fun!

    Brings enjoyment and drama (not to mention costumes and mascots!) to the wonderful world of reading with added excitement and support from quizmaster Mr Dilly.

  • Support

    The quiz is well organised and easy to attend with help available each step of the way.

Taking part in the National Reading Champions Quiz

  • Registration opens in December. Sign up to our Training and Resources bulletin for regular updates
  • Regional heats take place across February and March
  • Schools can book in one or two teams
  • Each team consists of four members
  • The cost of entering is £25 per team
  • The grand final will take place in May in central London
For a detailed information pack on the quiz, please download this document.

I have taken part for three years now and each time, I've found it very fun and challenging. I think it's a great opportunity for those who don't particularly take part in sports-based things, etc. to be given a way to show that their skills are useful and valued.

Student, Year 9

Keen to get practising?

There is no set reading list so the National Reading Champions Quiz suits students aged 10 to 14 years who already read eagerly and widely. The quiz is based only on fiction titles and includes books for ages 5+ up to, and including, some YA titles. If you'd like to explore the variety of titles we have referenced previously, please download this sample book list.

Each year we provide a selection of questions from the previous year to give you and your students an idea about content, question types and structure.

More sample questions will be added when registration opens.

Sample questions 2024

Further advice

If you cannot find the answer to your query in the downloadable information pack, then please email NRCQ@literacytrust.org.uk

We look forward to meeting your teams in the upcoming National Reading Champions Quiz!

Our partner

NRCQ logo banner horizontal

National Literacy Trust Reading Champions is supported by ALCS.

Find out more about the National Reading Champions Quiz and Challenges.

Explore useful teaching resources developed by ALCS to support understanding and communication about copyright with guides for children, young people and teachers.

Watch this ALCS animation as a great starting point to helping your students understand copyright in a fun and interactive way. Karl Nova uses his voice and talent to bring the importance of copyright for writers and artists to life in this video from ALCS.