Boards of Review Questions

Each rank provides an opportunity for the scout to demonstrate their growth and expertise. The Boards of Review is the perfect place for this to be done. Boards of Review are not a test of scout skills or knowledge. Below are some sample questions that can be used as part of the board.

Tenderfoot Rank

This is the Scout’s first experience with a Boards of Review. The process may require some explanation on the part of the Boards of Review Chairperson.

The first few questions in the Boards of Review should be simple. The Boards of Review should try to gain a sense of how the Scout is fitting in to the Troop, and the Scout’s level of enjoyment of the Troop and Patrol activities.

Encourage advancement to 2nd Class. Point out that the Scout may have already completed many of the requirements for 2nd Class.

The approximate time for this Boards of Review should be 15-20 minutes.

Sample Tenderfoot Questions:

When did you join our Troop?
How many Troop meetings have you attended in the last two months?
What did you do at your last patrol meeting?
Tell us about your last Troop campout.
How would the first aid skills you must know for Tenderfoot help on a campout?
Where did you learn how to fold the American flag? Tell us about your first experience with this skill.
How would you avoid poison oak (poison ivy, sumac)?
Where did you go on your hike? How did you choose the location?
If you were on a hike and got lost, what would you do?
Why do we whip or fuse the ends of a rope?
What is the “Buddy System” that we use in Scouting? When do we use it?
Why do you think there are physical fitness requirements (push-ups, pull-ups, etc.), and a retest after 30 days, for the Tenderfoot rank?
What does it mean to a Tenderfoot Scout to “Be Prepared”?
Do you feel that you have done your best to complete the requirements for Tenderfoot? Why?
What “good turn” have you done today?
Please give us an example of how you obey the Scout Law at home (school, church)?
What do you like best about our Troop?
What does it mean for a Scout to be “Kind”?
Do you have any special plans for this summer? The Holidays?
When do you plan to have the requirements completed for 2nd Class?

Second Class Rank

This is the Scout’s second Boards of Review. The process should be familiar, unless it has been some time since the Boards of Review for Tenderfoot.

Questions should focus on the use of the Scout skills learned for this rank, without retesting these skills. The Boards of Review should try to perceive how the Scout’s patrol is functioning, and how this Scout is functioning within the patrol.

Encourage work on the remaining requirements for 1st Class; many of the easier ones may have already been completed.

The approximate time for this Boards of Review should be 15-20 minutes.

Sample Second Class Questions:

How many patrol meetings have you attended in the last 3 months?
What did your patrol do at its last meeting?
Tell us about a service project in which you participated.
Where did you go on your last Troop campout? Did you have a good time? Why?
Why is it important to be able to identify animals found in your community?
Tell us about the flag ceremony in which you participated.
What is in your personal first aid kit?
What have you learned about handling woods tools (axes, saws, etc.)?
How are a map of the area and a compass useful on a campout?
Have you ever done more than one “good turn” in a day? Ask for details.
Have you earned any merit badges?

If “Yes”: Which ones? Why did you choose them? Who was your counselor?
If “No”: Encourage getting started, and suggest one or two of the easier ones.
Did you attend summer camp with our Troop last summer?

If “Yes”: What was your best (worst) experience at summer camp?
If “No”: Why not?
Do you plan to attend summer camp with our Troop next summer?

If “Yes”: What are you looking forward to doing at summer camp?
If “No”: Why not?
What suggestions do you have for improving our Troop?
How do you help out at home, church, school?
What class in school is most challenging for you? Why?
One of the requirements for Second Class is to participate in a program regarding drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. Tell us about the program in which you participated.
How is it possible to live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life?
What does it mean to say, “A Scout is Trustworthy”?
When do you expect to complete the requirements for 1st Class?

First Class Rank

By this point the Scout should be comfortable with the Boards of Review process.

The Scout should be praised for the accomplishment of achieving 1st Class (particularly if the Scout joined Boy Scouts less than a year ago). In achieving the rank of 1st Class, the Scout should feel an additional sense of responsibility to the troop and patrol.

The 1st Class rank will produce additional opportunities for the Scout (Order of the Arrow, leadership, etc.).

Merit badges will begin to play a role in future advancement to the Star and Life ranks. Encourage merit badge work if it has not already begun.

The approximate time for this Boards of Review should be 20 minutes.

Sample First Class Questions:

On average, how many Troop meetings do you attend each month?
What part of Troop meetings are most rewarding to you?
What is the Scout Slogan? What does it mean for a 1st Class Scout?
Tell us about your last campout with the Troop. Where did you go? How did you help with meal preparation? Did you have a good time? (If “No”, why not?)
If you were in charge of planning and preparing a dinner for your next campout, what would you select?
As a 1st Class Scout, what do you think the Star, Life, and Eagle Scouts will expect from you on an outing?
Does your family do any camping? What have you learned in Scouts, that you have been able to share with your family to improve their camping experiences?
Why do you think that swimming is emphasized in Scouting?
Why is it important for you to know how to transport a person who has a broken leg?
Why is it important for you to be able to recognize local plant life?
What did you learn about using a compass while completing the orienteering requirement?
What does it mean to say, “A Scout is Courteous”?
Why are merit badges a part of Scouting?
How frequently do you attend religious services? Does your whole family attend?
What is your most favorite part of Scouting? Least favorite?
How does a Scout fulfill his “Duty to Country”?
How do you define “Scout Spirit”?
What is the Order of the Arrow? What is the primary function of OA?
Who was Lord Baden-Powell?
When do you think you might be ready for Star Scout?

Star Rank

With the Star rank, emphasis is placed upon service to others, merit badges, and leadership. Scout skills remain an important element for the Star Scout; however, the emphasis should be on teaching other Scouts these skills.

Explore how the Star scout can assist with leading the patrol and troop. Attempt to understand how the Scouting philosophy is becoming part of the Scout’s life.

Often the Star rank is a place where Scouts “stall out”. Encourage the Scout to remain active, and participate fully in the patrol and troop. If the Scout appears to be looking for additional opportunities, suggest leadership positions such as Den Chief or Troop Guide.

The approximate time for this Boards of Review should be 20 minutes.

Sample Star Questions:

How many Troop outings have you attended in the last three months?
Tell us about the last service project in which you participated.
What does it mean for a Star Scout to “Be Prepared” on a daily basis?
How have the Scout skills that you have learned helped you in a non-Scouting activity?
How many merit badges have you earned? What was the most difficult (fun, challenging, expensive, etc.)?
Which is more important: Becoming a Star Scout, or learning the skills prescribed for a Star Scout?
Why do you think a Scoutmaster’s Conference is required for advancement in rank?
What is the most important part of a Troop Court of Honor? Why?
What leadership positions have you held outside of your patrol? What challenges did they present? What are your personal leadership goals and objectives?
How would you get a Scout to do an unpleasant task?
What extracurricular activities do you participate in at school?
What responsibilities do you have at home?
What is our “Duty to God”?
What does it mean to say “A Scout is Loyal”?
How are the Scout Oath and Law part of your daily life?
What is the Outdoor Code? Why is it important?
If the Scout is a member of the Order of the Arrow:

When did you complete your “Ordeal”, “Brotherhood”?
What does membership in the OA signify?
Have you received any special awards or accomplishments in school, athletics, or church?
Baden-Powell’s first Scout outing was located on an island off the coast of Great Britain; what was the name of that island? [Answer: Brownsea Island]
When do you plan on achieving the Life rank?

Life Rank

The Life rank is the final rank before Eagle. The Life Scout should be fully participating in the Troop, with emphasis being placed on leadership in the unit, as well as teaching skills and leadership to the younger Scouts.

Merit Badge work should be a regular part of the Scout’s career. Scouting values and concepts should be an integral part of the Scout’s daily life.

At this point, the Scout is starting to “give back to Scouting” through leadership, training of other Scouts, recruiting, keeping Scouts active in the program, etc.

Explore suggestions for improving the program.

The approximate time for this Boards of Review should be 20 – 30 minutes.

Sample Life Questions:

What is the most ambitious pioneering project with which you have assisted? Where?
What has been your worst camping experience in Scouting?
How many patrol meetings has your patrol held in the last three months? How many of them have you attended?
Have any of the merit badges you have earned lead to hobbies or possible careers?
What are your hobbies?
Of the merit badges you have earned, which one do you think will be of greatest value to you as an adult? Why?
Why do you think that the three “Citizenship” merit badges are required for the Eagle Rank?
What is your current (most recent) leadership position within the Troop? How long have you held that position? What particular challenges does it present? What is Leadership?
Do you have any brothers or sisters who are in Scouts (any level)? What can you do to encourage them to continue with Scouts, and to move forward along the Scouting Trail?
How do you choose between a school activity, a Scout activity, and a family activity?
Why do you think that Star and Life Scouts are required to contribute so much time to service projects? What service projects are most rewarding to you? Why?
Why do you think that a Board of Review is required for rank advancement?
How has Scouting prepared you for the future?
What does it mean to say, “A Scout is Reverent”?
What does “Scout Spirit” mean to a Life Scout?
Why do you think that Scouting for Food is referred to as a “National Good Turn”.
The Scout Oath refers to “Duty to Self”; what duty do we have to ourselves?
If the Scout is a member of OA:

What role does OA play in Scouting?
What honor do you hold in OA?
What is the difference between Scout “ranks” and OA “honors”?
In what year was Boy Scouts of America founded? [Answer: February 8, 1910 – BSA Birthday]
Have you begun to think about an Eagle Service Project? What are you thinking about doing? When?