Board of Review

The board of review is the final step in a Scout’s rank advancement. It is designed to ensure that the Scout has completed all of the requirements for that rank, determine the quality of his troop experience, discuss the impact of the Scouting program on him (how he lives the Scout Oath and Law), and encourage him to advance to the next rank.

The board of review is not a retest of skills. By allowing the Scout to appear before the board of review, the Scoutmaster has certified that the Scout has completed all the requirements for this rank. If the Scoutmaster is not satisfied that the Scout is ready for the rank, he should not allow the Scout to appear before the board.

Just as with the Scoutmaster conference, the board of review is a valuable opportunity for members of the board to discuss with each Scout his activity in the troop and his understanding and practice of the ideals of Scouting. This is a time to:

+         Openly talk about the Scout’s progress in the troop.

+         Ask how the Scout has demonstrated leadership in the troop and his patrol.

+         Ask what he’s done in his position of leadership.

+         Ask how he defines Scout spirit and lives according to the Scout Oath and Law.

+         See how much fun he’s having.

+         Determine whether he’s having any problems.

+         Ask for suggestions to make the troop better.

+         Ask about non-Scouting areas of the boy’s life (school, sports, extracurricular activities, etc.)

Wear your full Class A uniform (Scout shirt, pants, belt, socks, neckerchief, merit badge sash, and all patches sewn on correctly) and bring your Boy Scout Handbook to the Scoutmaster conference and the board of review.

For sample Board of Review questions, click here.