When is the POI window open in World Schools?

The POI window opens at 1:00 and closes at 7:00 of each 8-minute constructive speech. The first minute and last minute are protected — no POIs can be offered during those periods. Reply speeches have no POI window.

What is the bell schedule for WSDC?

WSDC rings three bells per constructive: one bell at 1:00 (POI window opens), one bell at 7:00 (POI window closes), and a double bell at 8:00 (time up). Reply speeches ring one bell at 3:00 and a double bell at 4:00.

Does DebateClock work for WSDC tournaments?

Yes. DebateClock is a free timing tool suitable for practice rounds and tournaments at all levels. It is not affiliated with or approved by WSDC — always defer to the official tournament director for disputes.

Is there any prep time in World Schools debate?

There is no in-round prep pool in World Schools debate. Teams receive preparation time before the round (typically 15–30 minutes after the motion is released), but no prep occurs between speeches during the round.

Free · POI window signal · Bell schedule built in

World Schools debate timer with automatic POI signal

Free WSDC timer. All 8 speeches preloaded, automatic POI window cue on the debater display (minutes 1–7), bell schedule, and real-time sync between the judge's phone and the debater's screen.

Open timer — no signup See the speech order

Works on most phones, tablets, and laptops with a modern browser

Why World Schools judges use DebateClock

The defining feature of WSDC timing is the POI window — the 6-minute stretch in each constructive where Points of Information can be offered. Most debate timers show a countdown and nothing else. The judge has to track the window manually while also flowing, managing the room, and listening to the speech.

DebateClock displays a visible POI window cue on the debater's screen — the large display that faces the room — so both the bench and the speaker can see at a glance whether the window is open. It appears automatically at 1:00 and clears at 7:00. The judge doesn't have to do anything extra.

Automatic POI cue

Amber "POI Window" badge appears at 1:00, clears at 7:00. Both speaker and bench see it without asking.

Bell schedule

Single bell at 1:00 and 7:00, double bell at 8:00 on each constructive. Reply speeches: single at 3:00, double at 4:00.

All 8 speeches preloaded

6 constructives at 8 minutes, 2 reply speeches at 4 minutes. No manual setup.

Two-device sync

Judge controls from a phone. Debater watches a full-screen countdown on a tablet or laptop.

WSDC timer for national and regional championships

DebateClock is used by judges and coaches at World Schools-format tournaments across multiple countries and regions. The timer preloads the correct WSDC speech order, bell schedule, and POI window automatically — no manual setup required.

Southeast Asia — tournaments in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam that use World Schools format
South Asia — competitions in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Africa — tournaments in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda that follow WSDC rules
Australasia — Australian and New Zealand school and university competitions using World Schools format
Europe — international tournaments and practice rounds using WSDC format

If your tournament uses the standard World Schools format — 8-minute speeches, POI window 1–7 minutes, reply speeches, no in-round prep — DebateClock is ready to use immediately.

Used across international debate circuits

World Schools format is used at national championships and international tournaments across more than 50 countries. If you are coaching or judging at a WSDC-affiliated tournament in Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Americas, DebateClock has the correct speech order, bell schedule, and POI window preloaded. Select World Schools from the format picker and the timer is ready immediately.

World Schools speech order

Standard WSDC format. DebateClock loads this automatically when you select World Schools.

#	Speech	Side	Time	POI Window
01	1st Proposition	PROP	8:00	1:00 – 7:00
02	1st Opposition	OPP	8:00	1:00 – 7:00
03	2nd Proposition	PROP	8:00	1:00 – 7:00
04	2nd Opposition	OPP	8:00	1:00 – 7:00
05	3rd Proposition	PROP	8:00	1:00 – 7:00
06	3rd Opposition	OPP	8:00	1:00 – 7:00
07	Opposition Reply	OPP	4:00	None
08	Proposition Reply	PROP	4:00	None

No prep pool during the round. Motion prep occurs before the round. Speeches run back-to-back. The opposition reply is given before the proposition reply.

How to run a World Schools round

Judge opens debateclock.org/app/ on their phone. A room code appears top-right.
Tap COPY or have the debater scan the QR code to join the display.
Tap the format picker → select World Schools (WSDC).
Tap Start to begin the 1st Proposition speech. The POI window cue appears automatically at 1:00.
Advance through speeches with the ▶ button or by tapping the speech row on the right panel.

Frequently asked questions

What are the speech times in World Schools debate?

WSDC uses 6 constructive speeches at 8 minutes each and 2 reply speeches at 4 minutes each. The POI window is minutes 1–7 of each constructive. Reply speeches have no POI window.

When is the POI window open?

The window opens at 1:00 and closes at 7:00 of each 8-minute constructive. The first and last minutes are protected. DebateClock shows a visible cue on the debater display and rings a bell at each boundary.

What is the WSDC bell schedule?

One bell at 1:00 (POI window opens), one bell at 7:00 (POI window closes), double bell at 8:00 (time up). For reply speeches: one bell at 3:00, double bell at 4:00.

Is there prep time between speeches?

No. World Schools has no in-round prep pool. Motion prep happens before the round (usually 15–30 minutes after the motion is announced). Once the round starts, speeches run back-to-back.

Does this work for British Parliamentary too?

Yes. DebateClock also supports British Parliamentary (university 7-minute format and high school 5-minute format), each with appropriate POI windows. Select from the format picker on the app.