Test the Nation
From Free net encyclopedia
Test the Nation is a television programme, first broadcast by the BBC in the United Kingdom. The format has now been made around the world in countries such as Germany, the United States, Israel, Indonesia, New Zealand and Japan.
The format is designed to allow viewers to answer a number of questions in order to measure, in a crude way, their IQ or also to know their knowledge about their country. Since 2002 there has also been an annual test of the years' events just before Christmas.
Typically there is a studio audience who answer the questions along with the viewer. The studio demography is broken down into fun categories often designed to challenge or affirm stereotypes. For example, in the United Kingdom, White-Van Men and fashion models are commonly thought to be less intelligent, whilst doctors and scientists are expected to score highly.
The fun is in comparing your score against your fellow countrymen. The British version is currently presented by Anne Robinson and Phillip Schofield.
Viewers can play along using interactive television, log onto the BBC website, or just use a pen and paper to keep score.