How do you keep precedence?
 

Precedence refers to the order in which speakers/questioners are chosen to speak.  In simpler terms, it means who's first. There are two types of precedence, question and speaking precedence, each which is figured out through a different method. The presiding officer must keep precedence.

Question Precedence
Question precedence is rather simple, as long as there is a seating chart. Whenever someone asks a question, mark the square with that person's name on it. The person who has asked the fewest of questions has precedence. If two (or more) congresspeople have asked the same number of questions, geography is used to determine who asks the first question.

Speaker Precedence
Speaking precedence is more complicated, but basically the PO must recognize speakers who have spoken least, or not at all. Most PO's also use recency, which means they recognize speakers based on who has spoken least recently. The best way to do this is using a piece of paper divided into vertical columns, with each column numbered from one to four (or as many as needed). Here is a chart that can be printed and used for each round. Then write the name of anyone who speaks in the column. When a person speaks an additional time, cross of their name and add them in the appropriate column. The "earliest" person, according to the sheet, has precedence. Some PO's also use longest standing to supplement precedence, which recognizes and rewards who has stood longest to speak by marking attempts. 

Even though the session only requires the presiding officer to record precedence, all members should do so.  This increases your ability to speak when you most want to.

What are base and the base system?
 

A common concern of most congresspeople is staying on base, yet the concept of base is very confusing. The NFL base table is on page 14 of the Student Congress Manual. Base is used to ensure people are not just trying to speak as many times as possible, but that the speeches are quality. That way, someone with three superior speeches may receive more points than someone with five or six poor speeches. To find the base of a round, use the chart in the manual, making sure the number of participating students, not just seated students, is used. Often, the PO and/or parliamentarian will announce the base. It is best to stay on base, and never refuse to give a good speech for fear of being over base. Try never to fall below base, because it is nearly impossible to place. Mainly, base affects the tab room, because that is how the scores are actually tabulated. Judges give scores for each speech and then the scores are all added together and divided by the number of speeches that individual has given. This average is then multiplied by the base of the round and those scores are used to determine ranks.

How is Congress scored? What do the judges look for?
 

Each judge gives every speech a score between one and eight. The score will include answers to questions as well as the actual speech. Most judges look for two key aspects in someone's performance, delivery and uniqueness/quality of ideas. The NFL has a sample ballot online that can be viewed here. Further elaboration regarding each category can be found here.