It is for the top three in each state
Really? Back when I did it it was based on mark percentage/etc. I got the cash prize (only $45 or so) from the sponsor at the time, and also met with the campus recruitment team from said sponsor, and lo and behold I have been working at this place for nearly 6 years.
Who is the sponsor this year?
ps. You're not meant to really be able to study for it. It's meant to be more common sense/current events than stuff which you already get tested on in school tests/exams/assignments.
Paying for a test, now thats stupidity; no offense.
Looks good on the CV, and hey, it's a couple of hours off class.
You realise that pretty much all the competitions cost money right? Your school probably just subsidises/pays it.