Are You Smarter Than a Politician?

VulcanRider · 11-23-2008, 10:26 AM

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute surveyed over 2500 people with a 33 question multiple-choice quiz about the federal gov't and American history. Although the average score was 49%, people who had been elected to some office only averaged 44%.

From the summary page. Spoiler warning -- some of the info on that page reveals test answers.

Quote:

All survey respondents were asked whether they have ever engaged in any of 13 different political and civic activities. These included, for example, registering to vote, signing a petition, contacting a public official, publishing a letter to the editor, and whether they have ever been elected to a government office.

Among the 2,508 respondents, 164 say they have been elected to a government office at least once. This sub-sample of officeholders yields a startling result: elected officials score lower than the general public. Those who have held elective office earn an average score of 44% on the civic literacy test, which is five percentage points lower than the average score of 49% for those who have never been elected. It would be most interesting to explore whether this statistically significant result is maintained across larger samples of elected officials.

The elected officeholders come from the ranks of Democrats (40%), Republicans (31%), Independents (21%), and those who say they belong to no party or indicate no affiliation (8%). None were asked to specify what office they held, so the proportion in which they held local, state, or federal positions is unknown.

Take the quiz -- I scored 100%, but there were a couple where I was guessing between 2 of the 5 choices.

machinehead · 11-23-2008, 11:30 AM

I got 87.88%, 4 wrong out of 33.

Chewbacca · 11-23-2008, 12:54 PM

You answered 28 out of 33 correctly — 84.85 %

Learn something new everyday.

Papa Schlumpf · 11-23-2008, 02:53 PM

96,67%; only one I didn't get was the philosophy one, and I had a real 'Doh!' moment when I saw the correct answer. Some real stinkers among those, by the way. Had to take my time reading all of these very carefully before answering them. They made sense in the end, though.

Not American, by the way. Although I probably know more of US civics than of the one of my own country...

Bungleau · 11-24-2008, 12:10 AM

84.85%, 28 of 33.

At least I'm smarter than a politician...

Stratos · 11-28-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

You answered 29 out of 33 correctly — 87.88 %

Better than the average American, politician or otherwise.

/ A foreigner.

Sever · 11-29-2008, 11:04 PM

54%. I'll take that seat in congress now.

Felix The Assassin · 11-30-2008, 09:30 AM

No! Reason being, regardless of a fictitious test which can be conducted online, have some even greater fictitious results posted, and without a validated source mind you, can claim anything it wants. Ah, the power of the internet. Furthermore, a politician has managed to outsmart all of us! We might have a good score, or even a fictitious score posted, but a politician is in office, and we are here on IW.

Papa Schlumpf · 11-30-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felix The Assassin

No! Reason being, regardless of a fictitious test which can be conducted online, have some even greater fictitious results posted, and without a validated source mind you, can claim anything it wants. Ah, the power of the internet. Furthermore, a politician has managed to outsmart all of us! We might have a good score, or even a fictitious score posted, but a politician is in office, and we are here on IW.

So I take it you weren't smarter than a politician, then?

VulcanRider · 11-30-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felix The Assassin

No! Reason being, regardless of a fictitious test which can be conducted online, have some even greater fictitious results posted, and without a validated source mind you, can claim anything it wants. Ah, the power of the internet. Furthermore, a politician has managed to outsmart all of us! We might have a good score, or even a fictitious score posted, but a politician is in office, and we are here on IW.

Aw, c'mon! Questionable tests from unverified sources are one of the cornerstones of the Internet. They don't rank as high as porn or urban legends, but it wouldn't be the same without them...

11-23-2008, 11:30 AM	#2
machinehead Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: April 9, 2001 Location: Massachusetts Age: 68 Posts: 630	Re: Are You Smarter Than a Politician? I got 87.88%, 4 wrong out of 33.

11-23-2008, 12:54 PM	#3
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	Re: Are You Smarter Than a Politician? You answered 28 out of 33 correctly — 84.85 % Learn something new everyday. __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

11-23-2008, 02:53 PM	#4
Papa Schlumpf Manshoon Join Date: June 13, 2007 Location: Shroomville Age: 43 Posts: 171	Re: Are You Smarter Than a Politician? 96,67%; only one I didn't get was the philosophy one, and I had a real 'Doh!' moment when I saw the correct answer. Some real stinkers among those, by the way. Had to take my time reading all of these very carefully before answering them. They made sense in the end, though. Not American, by the way. Although I probably know more of US civics than of the one of my own country... Last edited by Papa Schlumpf; 11-23-2008 at 03:20 PM.

11-24-2008, 12:10 AM	#5
Bungleau 40th Level Warrior Join Date: October 29, 2001 Location: Western Wilds of Michigan Posts: 11,752	Re: Are You Smarter Than a Politician? 84.85%, 28 of 33. At least I'm smarter than a politician... __________________ B Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last.

11-29-2008, 11:04 PM	#7
Sever Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: October 31, 2002 Location: Western Australia Age: 43 Posts: 3,293	Re: Are You Smarter Than a Politician? 54%. I'll take that seat in congress now. __________________ Say say, oh playmate i cannot play with you my dolly's got the flu boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo

11-30-2008, 09:30 AM	#8
Felix The Assassin The Dreadnoks Join Date: September 27, 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 61 Posts: 3,608	Re: Are You Smarter Than a Politician? No! Reason being, regardless of a fictitious test which can be conducted online, have some even greater fictitious results posted, and without a validated source mind you, can claim anything it wants. Ah, the power of the internet. Furthermore, a politician has managed to outsmart all of us! We might have a good score, or even a fictitious score posted, but a politician is in office, and we are here on IW. __________________ The Lizzie Palmer Tribute Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy 35th President of The United States The Last Shot Honor The Fallen Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom. If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.

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