Independent Registration
Choose your Academic Marathon event and join the international independent session
Saturday, June 19, 2027
24 Hour window
How to Complete Independent Registration
Independent Registration
For students entering independently in the international independent session.
- Register outside a school-organized marathon
- Compete individually in the international independent session
- Open internationally to students in grades 9–12
- Enter one marathon event on Saturday, June 19, 2027
Simple Steps to Join
Independent Registration Process
Complete Registration Form
Create your account, choose one marathon event, confirm your grade 9-12 division, and enter required student details in one form.
Submit Payment
Complete secure online payment after the form calculates the applicable independent registration fee.
Receive Confirmation
Watch for your confirmation email and follow the event instructions for the June 19, 2027 international independent session.
Prepare and Participate
Review the event instructions, prepare for your selected subject, and complete the analytical marathon during the 24-hour session window.
Independent Registration Fees
A universal standard designed to be clear, consistent, and accessible
STANDARD INDEPENDENT REGISTRATION FEE
US$30
Per student, per Academic Marathon subject. The same US$30 standard applies to independent registration.
Automatic Fee Waiver Policy
Our independent registration system automatically calculates an equitable fee using the participant details provided during registration. The resulting payable fee may be:
US$30 · US$25 · US$20 · US$15 · US$10 · US$5 · US$0
No separate discretionary review is required. The same calculation standard is applied consistently, and the resulting fee does not affect participation, scoring, awards, or recognition.
What's Included
- The complete ten-hour Academic Marathon experience
- Original test content and embedded learning resources
- Post-competition analytics
- Certificates for award recipients
- Score transcripts for all participants
Not included: Preparatory materials are offered separately through the LearningFirst platform and are not included in the Academic Marathon independent registration fee.
Why We Charge an Independent Registration Fee
Independent registration includes access to a carefully designed educational experience: the complete ten-hour marathon course, original test content, new learning resources embedded within the stages, the testing platform, assessment, and performance results. The fee recognizes the real value of the content and learning journey—not only the administrative cost of running an event.
Independent registration also represents a commitment: to reserve a place responsibly, prepare seriously, respect the time set aside for the marathon, and complete the challenge with purpose.
Our experience with free independent registration revealed a consistent human tendency: when no commitment is required, independent registrations are more likely to be made casually and the experience is less likely to be treated with the seriousness it deserves. This pattern appeared in insufficient preparation, unread event emails and instructions, last-minute requests for information already provided, and failure to attend. The result was reduced educational value for participants, avoidable support demands, and unused places that consumed limited operational resources.
A meaningful fee encourages each student and family to make a considered decision before registering—and then to prepare, stay informed, attend, and approach the experience with purpose. Responsible independent registration protects both the participant's opportunity to learn and the quality of the event for everyone.
Access should never depend solely on a family's ability to pay. That is why the same commitment principle is paired with our automatic, needs-sensitive fee policy, which can reduce the payable fee from US$30 down to US$0—in US$5 steps: US$30, US$25, US$20, US$15, US$10, US$5, or US$0.
Payment and Refunds
Secure payment options and clear timelines for independent registration
Payment Methods
Independent registrants can pay by credit / debit card. After registration, follow the payment instructions in your confirmation email to pay directly.
Refund Policy
- Full refund available up to 30 days before the competition date.
- Partial refund (50%) available up to 14 days before the competition date.
- No refund within 14 days of the competition date.
Mark Your Calendar
Important dates for students registering independently
UNIVERSAL SESSION DATE
Saturday, June 19, 2027
Independent registrants choose one marathon event for the international independent session.
Independent Registration FAQs
Academic Marathon independent registration is open internationally to students in grades 9–12.
No. Independent registrants enter one marathon event in the Saturday, June 19, 2027 international independent session.
The competition, preparatory materials, and event instructions are delivered in English.
Full refunds are available up to 30 days before the competition. Partial refunds (50%) are available up to 14 days before. No refunds are issued within 14 days of the competition. Contact independent registration support for special circumstances.
The standard independent registration fee is US$30. During independent registration, the system automatically calculates any fee adjustment using the participant details provided during registration. The resulting payable fee may be any of US$30, US$25, US$20, US$15, US$10, US$5, or US$0. The adjusted fee does not affect the competition experience or recognition.
Need Help?
Independent registration support is here to assist you.
Email: contact@academic-marathon.org
Response Time: Within 3 business days
Ready to Begin Your Marathon Journey?
Join thousands of students worldwide in the ultimate academic challenge
Start Independent Registration