<P> Beginning in August, the competition proceeds as a knockout tournament throughout, consisting of twelve rounds, a semi-final and then a final, in May . A system of byes ensures clubs above Level 9 and 10 enter the competition at later stages . There is no seeding, the fixtures in each round being determined by a random draw . Prior to the quarter - finals, fixtures ending in a tie are replayed once only . The first six rounds are qualifiers, with the draws organised on a regional basis . The next six rounds are the "proper" rounds where all clubs are in one draw . </P> <P> Entrants from the bottom two levels (9 and 10) begin the competition in the Extra Preliminary Round . Clubs from higher levels are then added in later rounds, as per the table below . The months in which rounds are played are traditional, with exact dates subject to each year's calendar . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Round </Th> <Th> New entrants at this round </Th> <Th> Month </Th> <Th> No of matches </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="3"> Qualifying Competition </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Extra-Preliminary Round </Td> <Td> Level 9 and 10 clubs </Td> <Td> August </Td> <Td> 184 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Preliminary Round </Td> <Td> Level 8 clubs </Td> <Td> 160 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> First Round </Td> <Td> Level 7 clubs </Td> <Td> September </Td> <Td> 116 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Second Round </Td> <Td> Level 6 clubs </Td> <Td> 80 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Third Round </Td> <Td> none </Td> <Td> October </Td> <Td> 40 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Fourth Round </Td> <Td> Level 5 clubs </Td> <Td> 32 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="3"> Competition Proper </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> First Round </Td> <Td> Level 3 and 4 clubs </Td> <Td> November </Td> <Td> 40 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Second Round </Td> <Td> none </Td> <Td> December </Td> <Td> 20 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Third Round </Td> <Td> Level 1 and 2 clubs </Td> <Td> January </Td> <Td> 32 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Fourth Round </Td> <Td> none </Td> <Td> 16 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Fifth Round </Td> <Td> February </Td> <Td> 8 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Quarter - finals </Td> <Td> March </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Semi-Finals </Td> <Td> April </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Final </Td> <Td> May </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Round </Th> <Th> New entrants at this round </Th> <Th> Month </Th> <Th> No of matches </Th> </Tr>

When do league one teams enter the fa cup