Five Reasons You Should Do IMT (by Sophie Yu and Jessie Li)
As September rolls around bringing the first tournament for the 2023-2024 season, here are five reasons you should do IMT!
1. It’s very beginner friendly!
IMT operates on a power-match basis, meaning that teams are matched against each other based on their abilities and experience. This applies for all four rounds minus the first round. IMT's competitors are incredibly diverse: there are former Gladiators, Empire participants, and also complete beginners! No matter who you are, you'll be matched with an opponent that can challenge you and provide a valuable, educational experience.
"My first ever mock trial competition was IMT, and I came in with zero knowledge on what mock trial actually was. the only rules I could cite were hearsay and speculation, but I was very lucky to have had a nice judge to help us when we were struggling. I so many valuable lessons from that IMT and I will never forget my first ever mock trial experience!"
-Annie Long, IMT participant, SHSID ‘26
"I was thrilled when my school sent three teams to IMT #2. What made it even more exciting was that all three teams were made up of freshmen who had never done mock trial before. As a junior with some tournament experience, I remember feeling a bit anxious about their chances against the seasoned upperclassmen who had been doing mock trial since middle school. But luckily—the field was diverse enough to include both highly experienced teams and newcomers like us. It turned out to be an incredible experience for my teams, filled with challenges that felt daunting but were ultimately conquerable."
-Eileen Chi, IMT Student Coach, SHSID ‘24
"Don't worry about your experience because everyone is friendly and supportive. You can always count on the judges, teammates, and even opponents for help. My first mock trial experience, everyone was kind and guided me through things, like when I forgot to enter the expert as an expert (oops). Just be brave, think logically, and let go of any anxieties. No one will know it's your first time if you don't show it!"
-Alyssa Zhang, IMT participant, WFLA ‘25
2. It’s an opportunity to improve your public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills!
Mock Trial is one of the best speech activities out there. This immersive experience equips participants with tools to become confident communicators, sharp critical thinkers, and effective team players, giving them an edge in various aspects of life.
"Participating in IMT, my first mock trial tournament, completely transformed my understanding of mock trials. This beginner-friendly event taught me the mechanics of mock trials and how to improve my skills as a mocker. More importantly, it highlighted the importance of building connections with both teammates and opponents. Through this experience, I honed my communication skills, learned to present logical arguments, and mastered the art of polite yet effective rebuttals that left my adversaries speechless. The lessons I gained from IMT continued to benefit me when I later competed in prestigious events like Empire and PPMT."
-Joy Xie, IMT participant, UWC CSC ‘25
3. You get to make friends and build connections—sometimes with people across the globe!
Meeting other competitors who are likewise interested in mock trial provides a topic of conversation and a common ground for discussion, making it easier to connect with others who have similar passions, such as your opponents.
Building connections with your opponents isn't the only form of connection IMT can offer--the deepest connection you're guaranteed to make at any mock trial competition is the one with your team. Working with your team fosters teamwork, communication, and camaraderie. Through working together towards a common goal, you have the opportunity to bond with your teammates, share experiences, and develop a sense of unity.
“IMT allowed me to get to know people that I had thought I'd never talk to because of different classes and different grades. It’s a wonderful thing when competitions such as IMT bring group of strangers and turn them into very close friends, almost family-esque, as we always spend half of our free time preparing for the tournament."
-King Guo, IMT participant, UWC CSC ‘26
4. The judges are fantastic!
The judges at IMT are supportive and fair. They range from College Mock Trial All-Americans, to Mock Trial coaches who have guided teams to win national championships, to seasoned trial attorneys with extensive experience in both civil and criminal trials. At IMT, participants will receive invaluable feedback, unmatched mentorship, and the chance to refine your skills on the path to mock trial advocacy greatness.
"IMT is a great place to start (it literally stands for Incredible Mentors and Trainers). Oh, like that time when I objected speculation to "he was smiling." In hindsight, that probably wasn't the smartest thing to object to, but the judges were there to help briefly explain why such an objection made no sense (but of course they were more polite than 'no sense')."
-Alex Wang, IMT participant, SHSID ‘26
"The judges are amazing! I was so excited and honored to get judged by mock trial gods, including members of the UCLA team that won national championship this year! We even got judged by THE Dr. Iain Lampert! He wrote so many valuable comments for us, and even gave a quick mini lesson on how to maximize your zoom space for hand gestures. "
-Cana Cai, IMT participant, SHSID ‘25
5. It's free!
At IMT, we are committed to making trial advocacy accessible. The cost to attend an IMT tournament is this: Nothing! Everything is completely free!
"It's freeeeeeeee!! Life can be difficult (I am aware of all the adults thinking "oh kiddo you know nothing about that), but IMT let me know that regardless of what happens I will always have mock trial yippee!! So if life takes a turn here and there and then here again and then there and here and I end up becoming a hobo in Nebraska, it's nice knowing I will always have IMT (because its free!)"
-Alex Wang, IMT participant, SHSID ‘26
