849 Logo (5k)

Troop 849
Manhattan Beach, CA
Boy Scouts of America


Home
New Members
Calendar
Scout Pages
Advancement
Special Awards

Summer Camp

Backpacking
 Weekend
 Advanced
 Longterm

Hikemaster
 Weekend
 Longterm

Ceremonies

Last Updated:
  February 8, 2023

Search
Site Map
Navigation

About us
Contact us


General | Board of Review | Merit Badges | Eagle Candidate Info | Order of Arrow

This page is also available in PDF format.

Board of Review Questions

Table of Contents

Purpose of a Board of Review

After a Scout has completed the requirements for any rank or Eagle Palm, they appear before a board of review. Its purpose is to determine the quality of his experience and decide whether the Scout has fulfilled the requirements.

The members of a Board of Review should have the following objectives in mind:

  • To make sure the Scout has completed the requirements for the rank.
  • To see how good an experience the Scout is having in the unit.
  • To encourage the Scout to progress further.

NOTE: Though one reason for a board of review is to help ensure the Scout did what they were supposed to do to meet the requirements, it shall become neither a retest or "examination", nor a challenge of his knowledge. In most cases it should, instead, be a celebration of accomplishment. Remember, it is more about the journey. A badge recognizes what a young man has done toward achieving the primary goal of personal growth. It is thus more about the learning experience than it is about the specific skills learned.

Contents

Composition

The Board of Review consists of three to six members of the Troop Committee. No more, no less.

  • If fewer than three registered committee members available to serve, it is permissible to use knowledgeable parents or other adults (registered or not) who are at least 21 years of age and who understand Boy Scouting's aims.
  • Parents or guardians shall not serve on a board for their Scout.

    • Contents

    The Process

    The Scout is introduced to the board by the Chairperson of the board.

    The Scout should be in full uniform with his Scout Handbook. (But neither is required.)

    The Chairperson of the Board of Review should ensure that all the requirements have been "signed off" in the Scout's handbook. Additionally, the Chairperson should ensure that leadership and merit badge records are consistent with the requirements for the rank and that the dates are correct.

    The board members are invited to ask questions of the Scout. The questions should be open-ended, offering an opportunity for the Scout to speak about his opinions, experiences, activities, and accomplishments.

    • On the following pages are typical Board of Review questions for each rank. These questions are intended to only serve as a guide.
    • Avoid questions which only require a simple one or two wordanswer. If an answer is too brief, follow up with a, "Why?" or, "How can that be done?" to expand the answer.
    • The questions need not be restricted to Scouting topics; questions regarding home, church, school, work, athletics, etc. are all appropriate.
    • Remember: it is not the point of a Board of Review to retest the Scout. However, questions like, "Where did you learn about ..." or "Why do you think it is important for a [rank] Scout to have this skill?" or "What would you do if ..." are valid.

    Contents

    After the Review

    When all members have had an opportunity to ask their questions, the Scout is excused from the room. The board members then consider whether the Scout is ready for the next rank; the board's decision must be unanimous. Once the decision is made, the Scout is invited back into the room.

    • The Chairperson informs the Scout of the board's decision.
    • Assuming the Scout passes, there are general congratulations and handshakes all around, and the Scout is encouraged to continue advancing.

    Contents

    Tenderfoot rank

    Tenderfoot Rank

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

    The first few questions in the Board of Review should be simple. The Board 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 Board of Review should be 15-20 minutes.

    Sample Questions:

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

    Contents

    Second Class rank

    2nd Class Rank

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

    Questions should focus on the use of the Scout skills learned for this rank, without retesting these skills. The Board of Review should try to perceive how the Scout's patrol is functioning, and how this Scout is functioning within his 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 Board of Review should be 15-20 minutes.

    Sample Questions:

    1. How many troop meetings have you attended in the last 3 months?
    2. What did your patrol do at the last troop meeting?
    3. Tell us about a service project in which you participated.
    4. Where did you go on your last troop campout? Did you have a good time? Why?
    5. Tell us how clean up worked after evening meal on your last campout.
    6. Why is it important to be able to identify animals found in your community?
    7. Tell us about the flag ceremony in which you participated.
    8. What is in your personal first aid kit?
    9. What have you learned about handling woods tools (axes, saws, etc.)?
    10. How are a map of the area and a compass useful on a campout?
    11. Have you ever done more than one "good turn" in a day? Ask for details.
    12. 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.
    13. 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?
    14. 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?
    15. What suggestions do you have for improving our troop?
    16. How do you help out at home, church, school?
    17. What class in school is most challenging for you? Why?
    18. One of the requirements for Tenderfoot is to participate in a program regarding drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. Tell us about the program in which you participated.
    19. How is it possible to live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life?
    20. What does it mean to say, "A Scout is Trustworthy"?
    21. When do you expect to complete the requirements for 1st Class?

    Contents

    First Class rank

    1st Class Rank

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

    The Scout should be praised for his accomplishment in achieving 1st Class (particularly if the Sccout 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 to his 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 Board of Review should be 20 minutes.

    Sample Questions:

    1. On average, how many troop meetings do you attend each month?
    2. What part of troop meetings are most rewarding to you?
    3. What is the Scout Slogan? What does it mean for a 1st Class Scout?
    4. 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?)
    5. If you were in charge of planning and preparing a dinner for your next campout, what would you select?
    6. As a 1st Class Scout, what do you think the Star, Life, and Eagle Scouts will expect from you on an outing?
    7. 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?
    8. Why do you think that swimming is emphasized in Scouting?
    9. What would we need to do to plan a troop swim?
    10. What is different about camping in the back country and public car camping?
    11. Why is it important for you to know how to transport a person who has a broken leg?
    12. What do you think the most common sign of a heart attack is? Least common?
    13. Why is it important for you to be able to recognize local plant life?
    14. What did you learn about using a compass while completing the orienteering requirement?
    15. What does it mean to say, "A Scout is Courteous"?
    16. Why are merit badges a part of Scouting?
    17. What is your most favorite part of Scouting? Least favorite?
    18. How does a Scout fulfill his "Duty to Country"?
    19. How do you define "Scout Spirit"?
    20. What is the Order of the Arrow? What is the primary function of OA?
    21. When do you think you might be ready for Star Scout?

    Contents

    Star rank

    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 his 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 his 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 Board of Review should be 20 minutes.

    Sample Questions:

    1. How many troop outings have you attended in the last three months?
    2. Tell us about the last service project in which you participated.
    3. What does it mean for a Star Scout to "Be Prepared" on a daily basis?
    4. How have the Scout skills that you have learned helped you in a non-Scouting activity?
    5. How many merit badges have you earned? What was the most difficult (fun, challenging, expensive, etc.)?
    6. Which is more important: Becoming a Star Scout, or learning the skills prescribed for a Star Scout?
    7. Why do you think a Scoutmaster's Conference is required for advancement in rank?
    8. What is the most important part of a troop Court of Honor? Why?
    9. What leadership positions have you held outside of your patrol? What challenges did they present? What are your personal leadership goals and objectives?
    10. How would you get a Scout to do an unpleasant task?
    11. What extracurricular activities do you participate in at school?
    12. What responsibilities do you have at home?
    13. What is our "Duty to God"?
    14. What does it mean to say "A Scout is Loyal"?
    15. How are the Scout Oath and Law part of your daily life?
    16. What is the Outdoor Code? Why is it important?
    17. 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?
    18. Have you received any special awards or accomplishments in school, athletics, or church?
    19. Who was Lord Baden-Powell?
    20. 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]
    21. When do you plan on achieving the Life rank?

    Contents

    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 Board of Review should be 20 - 30 minutes.

    Sample Questions:

    1. What is the most ambitious pioneering project with which you have assisted? Where?
    2. What has been your worst camping experience in Scouting?
    3. How many patrol meetings has your patrol held in the last three months? How many of them have you attended?
    4. Have any of the merit badges you have earned lead to hobbies or possible careers?
    5. What are your hobbies?
    6. Of the merit badges you have earned, which one do you think will be of greatest value to you as an adult? Why?
    7. Why do you think that the three "Citizenship" merit badges are required for the Eagle Rank?
    8. 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?
    9. 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?
    10. How do you choose between a school activity, a Scout activity, and a family activity?
    11. 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?
    12. Why do you think that a Board of Review is required for rank advancement?
    13. How has Scouting prepared you for the future?
    14. What does it mean to say, "A Scout is Reverent"?
    15. What does "Scout Spirit" mean to a Life Scout?
    16. Why do you think that Scouting for Food is referred to as a "National Good Turn".
    17. The Scout Oath refers to "Duty to Self"; what duty do we have to ourselves?
    18. 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"?
    19. In what year was Boy Scouts of America founded? [Answer: February 8, 1910 - BSA Birthday]
    20. Have you begun to think about an Eagle Service Project? What are you thinking about doing? When?

    Contents

    Eagle rank

    Eagle Rank

    The Board of Review for the Eagle Rank is different from the other Boards of Review in which the Scout has participated. The members of the Board of Review are not all from his Troop Committee. Introductions are essential, and a few "break in" questions may be appropriate.The Board of Review for the Eagle Rank is different from the other Boards of Review in which the Scout has participated. The members of the Board of Review are not all from his Troop Committee. Introductions are essential, and a few "break in" questions may be appropriate.

    At this point, the goal is to understand the Scout's full Scouting experience, and how others can have similar meaningful Scouting experiences. Scouting principles and goals should be central to the Scout's life; look for evidence of this.

    Although this is the final rank, this is not the end of the Scouting trail; "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle". Explore how this Eagle Scout will continue with Scouting activities, and continued service to his home, church, and community.

    The approximate time for this Board of Review should be 30 - 50 minutes.

    Sample Questions:

    1. What would you suggest adding to the Scout Law (a thirteenth point)? Why?
    2. What one point could be removed from the Scout Law? Why?
    3. Why is it important to learn how to tie knots, and lash together poles and logs?
    4. What is the difference between a "Hollywood hero" and a real hero?
    5. Can you give me an example of someone who is a hero to you? (A real person, not a character in a book or movie.)
    6. Why do you think that the Family Life merit badge is a required merit badge?
    7. What camping experience have you had, that you wish every Scout could have?
    8. Have you been to Philmont or a National (International) Jamboree? What was your most memorable experience there?
    9. What is the role of the Senior Patrol Leader at a troop meeting (campout, summer camp)?
    10. If you could change one thing to improve Scouting, what would you change?
    11. What do you believe our society expects from an Eagle Scout?
    12. The charge to the Eagle requires that you give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given to you. How do you propose to do that?
    13. As an Eagle Scout, what can you personally do to improve your unit?
    14. What will you be doing in your unit, after receiving your Eagle Rank?
    15. Tell us how you selected your Eagle Service Project.
    16. From your Eagle Service Project, what did you learn about managing or leading people? What are the qualities of a good leader?
    17. What part of your Eagle Service Project was the most challenging? Why?
    18. If you were to manage another project similar to your Eagle Service Project, what would you do differently to make the project better or easier?
    19. What are your future plans (high school, college, trade school, military, career, etc.)?
    20. Tell us about your family (parents, siblings, etc.). How do you help out at home?
    21. What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Scouting in the future?
    22. How do your friends outside of Scouting react when they learn that you are a Boy Scout? How do you think they will react when they learn that you have become an Eagle Scout?
    23. Why do you think that belief in God (a supreme being) is part of the Scouting requirements?
    24. How do you know when a Scout is "active" in his unit?
    25. You have been in Scouting for many years, sum up all of those experiences in one word. Why?
    26. What one thing have you gained from your Scoutmaster's conferences over the years?
    27. How does an Eagle Scout continue to show Scout Spirit?
    28. If the Scout is a member of the Order of the Arrow:
      What does OA membership mean to you?
      How does OA help Scouting and your unit?
    29. Who brought Scouting from England to the United States? [Answer: William D. Boyce]
    30. [Traditional last questions] Why should this Board of Review approve your request for the Eagle Rank? or Why should you be an Eagle Scout?

    Contents

    Eagle Palms

    Eagle Palms

    Eagle Palms are awarded for continued leadership and skills development (merit badges) after the Eagle Rank has been earned. The purpose of this Board of Review is to ensure that the Eagle Scout remains active within the unit, contributes to the leadership of the unit, and assists with the growth of the other Scouts within the unit.

    The approximate time for this Board of Review should be 15 minutes.

    Sample Questions:

    1. As an Eagle, have the Scout Oath and Law gained new meaning for you? How?
    2. Why is it important to developing and identify leadership? How do you do this?
    3. Since earning your Eagle,what merit badges have you earned?
    4. Since earning your Eagle (last Palm), in what service projects have you participated?
    5. How do you plan to continue your involvement with Scouting?
    6. What would you say to a Life Scout who is only minimally active within his unit, and who does not seem motivated to continue along the Scouting Trail?
    7. If a Life Scout was having difficulty selecting an Eagle Service Project, what would you suggest to him?
    8. What is the primary role of the Scoutmaster?
    9. How have you begun to "... give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given to you".
    10. In what year was the first World Jamboree held? [Answer: 1920]
    11. Where was the last World Jamboree held?

    Contents

    Valid HTM 4.01, Valid CSS level 1 Contents of this page courtesy of Ray Klaus for Saddleback District, Orange County Council, BSA (1994-1995). It has been modified by BSA Troop 849, Pacifica District, Greater Los Angeles Area Council, for their use (1998).
    ©2023 Boy Scout Troop 849, Manhattan Beach, CA. http://troop849.org/