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 any phone, tablet, or laptop · Used in 70+ countries

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.

World Schools speech order

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

#SpeechSideTimePOI Window
011st PropositionPROP8:001:00 – 7:00
021st OppositionOPP8:001:00 – 7:00
032nd PropositionPROP8:001:00 – 7:00
042nd OppositionOPP8:001:00 – 7:00
053rd PropositionPROP8:001:00 – 7:00
063rd OppositionOPP8:001:00 – 7:00
07Opposition ReplyOPP4:00None
08Proposition ReplyPROP4:00None

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

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.

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