Board of Review Questions for Every Scout Rank

What Is a Board of Review?

A Scouting America board of review is a chance for adults to talk with a Scout about what they’ve done, what they’ve learned, how it has helped them advance, and how they’re enjoying the program. After a Scout finishes the requirements for any rank except Scout rank, including a Scoutmaster conference, they meet with a board of review.

Source: Scouting America Guide to Advancement, Section 8, Boards of Review.

Tips for a Great Board of Review

• Stay away from yes/no questions so you get the conversation moving.
• Start easy. Personal and Troop questions help a nervous Scout relax.
• Listen more than you talk. The Scout should do most of the talking.
• Use the rank requirements as a guide, not a checklist to retest.
• End on a high note. Congratulate the Scout and talk about what’s next.

Board of Review Questions by Rank

Look at the requirements for the rank the Scout is being reviewed for and ask about the experience, not the facts. Here are sample questions for each rank. Pick a few; you won’t need them all.

Tenderfoot Board of Review Questions

• Tell us about your first campout with the Troop. What surprised you?
• Why do we whip or fuse the ends of a rope?
• What is the buddy system? When do we use it?
• Which part of the Scout Oath means the most to you? Why?
• Your fitness requirement had you track your progress for 30 days. What did you learn about yourself?
• What’s one thing you learned that you didn’t know when you joined?
• What are you looking forward to as you work toward Second Class?

Second Class Board of Review Questions

• There are 12 points to the Scout Law. Pick the one that is hardest for you to follow and tell us why.
• Tell us about a meal you cooked on a campout. What would you do differently next time?
• How did you use a map and compass on your hike or activity?
• Have you started any merit badges? Which ones, and why did you choose them? (If not, encourage the Scout to start one or two.)
• What service project did you help with? How did it feel to help?
• What would you tell a new Scout about their first summer camp?

First Class Board of Review Questions

• What did you learn about using a compass while completing the orienteering requirement?
• What does it mean to say, “A Scout is Courteous”?
• First Class is often called the “complete Scout.” What does that mean to you?
• Tell us about planning a menu for your patrol. How did you decide what to cook?
• Which Scout skill are you most confident teaching to a younger Scout?
• How has Scouting helped you somewhere outside of Scouting, like at school or home?
• What leadership position would you like to try next?

Star Scout Board of Review Questions

• What is the Outdoor Code? Why is it important?
• How have the Scout skills you’ve learned helped you in a non-Scouting activity?
• Tell us about your position of responsibility. What went well? What was hard?
• Which merit badge taught you the most? Which Eagle-required badge are you working on next?
• Tell us about your service hours. Which project meant the most to you?
• How do you help the younger Scouts in your patrol?
• What are your goals for Life rank, and when do you think you’ll be back?

Life Scout Board of Review Questions

• What has been your worst camping experience in Scouting? What did you learn from it?
• What does it mean to say, “A Scout is Reverent”?
• Tell us about a skill you taught a younger Scout. How did you use the EDGE method?
• What have you learned about being a leader? How are you different from when you made Star?
• Have you started thinking about an Eagle Scout service project? What ideas do you have?
• What does the Troop do well? What would you change if you were Senior Patrol Leader?
• Why do you want to be an Eagle Scout?

Eagle Scout boards are held differently and include a district or council representative. For ideas, see 20 questions for an Eagle board of review from Scouting magazine.

9 Board of Review Themes for Any Rank

Here are some great themes and questions for Scouts at Tenderfoot through Life. Mix and match to get the conversation going.

1. The Troop

Questions about the Troop are a great way to start a conversation. The Scout can talk about their experiences and share ideas about how the Troop works.

• When did you join our Troop?
• How many Troop meetings have you attended in the last two months?
• What is your favorite part of a Troop meeting? Your least favorite?
• Tell us about your last Troop campout.

2. Personal Information

Here is a chance for the Scout to talk about a subject they know well: themselves! These are great icebreakers.

• What grade are you in? What school?
• What hobbies do you have?
• Why did you join Scouts?
• What do you like to do when you’re not at Scouts?

3. Rank

These are some of the easiest questions, because there’s a book full of them. Look at the requirements for the rank and ask away. But beware: it must not be a retest or an “examination,” or a challenge of the Scout’s knowledge. See the questions by rank above.

4. Scouting Outside of Scouts

One way to see how a Scout is growing is to ask how Scouting relates to the “outside world.”

• What do you tell your friends about the things you learn and do in Scouts?
• What is a Good Turn? Describe a recent Good Turn you did.
• How do you help out at home, at school, or in your community?
• What class in school is most challenging for you? Why?
• What part of the Scout Oath and Law is hardest to live up to in your daily life? What part is easiest?

5. Scouting Traditions

Scouting has lots of ideas and a rich history. These questions explore the Scout’s understanding.

• Who was Lord Baden-Powell?
• Who was the Unknown Scout?
• What is the Order of the Arrow?
• Why do you think Scouts use the merit badge program?
• What is the Scout Motto? Describe how you follow it.
• What is the Scout Slogan? Describe the last time you did what it says.

6. Leadership and Teamwork

These questions show how well the program is working for the Scout, and for the Troop.

• How many Troop campouts have you attended? What did you like most? Least?
• What is the name of your patrol? Do you have a patrol flag or patch?
• How is your patrol getting along?
• Does your patrol hold patrol meetings? Are they helpful? How could the Troop help?
• Have you taught younger Scouts any of your new skills? What did you teach?
• What kind of service projects would you like to work on?

7. Progress and Goals

Setting goals and looking at progress is a great life skill. These questions help the Scout focus on the future.

• Do you want to be an Eagle Scout? Why?
• If you earn this rank today, when can we expect to see you at your next board of review? (Have the Scout write the date on the advancement page.)
• What leadership position would you like to have in the Troop?
• Have you thought about what you’d like to do as an adult? Why?

8. Values

The Scout Oath and Law are the heart of Scouting. Ask how they show up in the Scout’s life.

• Which point of the Scout Law is easiest for you to follow? Which is the most difficult?
• What does “Do your best” mean to you?
• Tell us about a time you had to make a hard choice. How did the Scout Law help?

9. The Scenario

This kind of question is unusual, but very effective. In over 40 years of boards of review, I asked the same scenario question to every Scout at every board. Hearing the answers change and mature as each Scout grew was gratifying, and it showed a lot about their progress. This is the one I used, but any scenario works as long as it has lots of possible answers.