About Problem Clarifications

Updated Oct 2025

Long-term problems are written to provide just enough guidance to solve the problem without limiting creativity. If a team questions the interpretation of a limitation or is not sure if an aspect of its solution is allowed or meets the problem’s requirements, it may request a clarification.

Every team should check the official Odyssey of the Mind website regularly to see if any general clarifications have been published that will affect their solution. General claraifications are published by OdysseyHQ to clearify specific areas of the long term problem, or address frequently asked questions.

Clarifications supercede the Program Guide which is general, as well as the long-term problem itself.

Furthermore, if a team is uncertain whether an aspect of their solution is allowable, it would be a really good idea to request their own team clarification from CCI. The section of the Program Guide regarding Problem Clarifications begins on printed pages 23-24. 

New! Instructions here to submit clarification requests in the new OdysseyHQ database. Be mindful that part of the article contains screenshots. Each coach must have their own username and password in order to maintain confidentiality of team clarifications.

New in 2025-26! Because OdysseyHQ have moved to a web-based system, teams will not be receiving emailed answers so they will have to log in to the system again to find their answers, to see if there have been any status changes to their submissions, and later to export their clarifications into a document to take to tournaments.

Coaches can only submit clarification requests until the recurring deadline of February 15th. But as the competition season starts, Problem Captains and Directors also submit their own requests based on issues or ambiguities encountered. For this reason, you should continue to check General Clarification in between competition levels, throughout the season.