Frequently Asked Questions
What is Test the Nation: Trivia?
Test the Nation: Trivia is a two-hour television event, with viewers playing at home as they watch our six teams of Canadians compete in our Toronto studio. By the end of the test, you'll know if you’ve been paying attention to the world around you, or if you’ve been sleepwalking through the last eight years.
The show will also reveal information about others who are playing at home and in the studio. Who will turn out to be more century savvy? The Men or the Women? Will the meat eaters devour the vegetarians? Will the coffee drinkers overpower the tea drinkers? We’ll find out as Canadians give us their answers on the most technologically advanced and information saturated century the planet has ever seen!
When is Test the Nation: Trivia?
Test the Nation: Trivia airs Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC TV.
How do I play?
Tune into CBC Television, Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) and you'll be able to participate either:
- Online on this site (link to the test will be live Jan 20th
- Play along with the broadcast and print a scorecard here. Scorecards will also be printed in some daily newspapers the week before the test.
Do I need special software to play online?
Yes, you need Flash Player version 9. You'll be prompted to install the free program if it's not already on your computer – just click 'yes' to download (it shouldn't take long). You will also need a broadband (high speed) internet connection (users with connections of 255Kb or below will not be able to receive video content).
What if I have an Apple computer?
The test is in Flash Player version 9, which is available for both Macs and PCs.
Why do I need to provide information about myself before I take the test?
We will collect general information from people taking the test. This data will be collected anonymously and will not be shared with any other parties. It will allow us to make comparisons to determine, for example, whether those who drink coffee do better than those who drink tea, and whether what you read, watch or listen to affects how well you do on the test. Only you will know your final score.
What types of questions will be asked on the test?
The questions on the test deal with facts about events that have occurred around the world in the 21st century (that is, since January 1, 2000). Each question on the test is multiple choice. Every question also has a time limit in which to answer it. There are a total of 60 questions on the test.
The 21st century technically starts on January 1, 2001. Why are you saying it starts in 2000?
Although there is some debate about when the 21st century officially starts, there is no doubt about where Test The Nation draws the line: For our Trivia edition, anything from now back to January 1, 2000 will be fair game.
How long does the test take?
The show on January 20, 2008 will last two hours. Online, the test should take about 30 minutes. In order to learn your score, you will have to answer all the questions in one sitting.
What happens if the time elapses before I answer a question?
You will get the question wrong! If you don’t know the answer, guess!
How do I get the results if I've taken the test online?
When you've finished the test, your score will be calculated and displayed.
How can I compare myself to other people’s scores?
We will reveal this information throughout the broadcast on January 20, 2008. The scores of both the in-studio teams and online participants from across the country will be available on this website after the show. Stats and figures will be presented to show which types of people fared better than others.
If I miss the test on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC TV, will I still be able to do it later?
Yes. You'll be able to do the test on this website.
Can I take the test if I am under 16?
You sure can. But be warned: you might have to explain some of the answers to your parents!
Will I be able to come watch the show live in studio?
Unfortunately due to the large number of participants (six teams of 36 participants plus our panel of celebrities make it 220 people!) we will be unable to fit any audience members in the studio.
