Permutation

A permutation, or perm, is a test for competition which usually takes the form of the question "can the counterplan be added to the Affirmative plan and still achieve net benefits?" If the answer to this question is yes, then the counterplan does not compete with the Affirmative plan and thus does not provide a reason for the judge to vote Negative. If the answer to the question is no, then the counterplan does compete and, if more beneficial than the Affirmative plan, provides a reason for the judge to vote Negative.

A successful permutation usually renders the counterplan a moot point.

Advocacy
Permutations are broken down into two categories: advocacy permutations and non-advocacy permutations. Advocacy perms involve actually adding the counterplan to the Affirmative plan. Thus, with an advocacy perm, if the judge votes Affirmative both the counterplan and the plan would be passed simultaneously. A non-advocacy perm is only a test; it only asks the above-mentioned question. An Affirmative would gain by running disadvantages against the counterplan under a non-advocacy perm, but would implicitly be arguing against their own case if they did so after running an advocacy perm. Advocacy perms are rare in the homeschool debate circuits, as they are usually considered case-shifting.