These are students:

who have lived in a German-speaking country 6 weeks or more at one time since the age of 6

who reside with a native German-speaker, who regularly speaks German at home

who speak German at home, or

who visit or have visited a German-speaking country (annually or biennially), visiting German-speaking homes or who have attended a school, where the majority of subjects were taught in German, for one or more years

Advantaged speakers may compete in the strictly “Advantaged Speaker” categories: Extemporaneous Speaking, Prose & Poetry Memory, and Advantaged Speaker (Written) Test.
They may also participate in the following:
Arts & Culture: Club Album, Crafts, Digital Logo Design, Gingerbread House, Needlework, Original Models, Photography, Poster Design, Shirt Design
Drama: Skit level 4, Upper Level Puppets
Music: Classical Ensemble, Contemporary Music (as instrumentalists only), Einzeltanz, Folk Dance, Polka Band
Oral Tests: Oral Presentation

They may NOT compete in any other written tests, photo essay, vocal solos or as singers for contemporary music. It is left to the professional judgment of the teacher to determine the eligibility of students. Questions of eligibility should be addressed to the contest director prior to the contest registration deadline. If a student is designated advantaged in one category, he/she must be entered as advantaged in all categories and contests. 

Exchange Students:
Exchange students from German-speaking countries may NOT enter any “advantaged speaker” categories; however, they may participate in certain art, drama and music events:
Arts & Culture: Club Album, Crafts, Digital Logo Design, Gingerbread House, Needlework, Original Models, Photography
Drama: Video Show (non-speaking role)
Music: Classical Ensemble, Folk Dance, Polka Band

Exchange students from non-German-speaking countries may enter events for the level in which they qualify, just like their German language-learning peers.

INCLUDE IN ALPHA FORM: Students who meet any of the above criteria as “Advantaged” must be listed as such on the alpha form. If it is discovered either by the judges or the staff of the contest that a student is improperly entered, the teacher will be notified and the student may be disqualified from the competition. German includes Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and other German-speaking colonies in many countries.