TEST THE NATION

:''For the Irish version, see here.''
'''Test the Nation''' is a television programme, first broadcast in 2001 by BNN in the The Netherlands. The format has now been made around the world in countries such as Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Indonesia, New Zealand, Denmark, Japan, and Ireland. It is set to launch in the Middle East on 1 November on the Arabic language MBC1. On 18 March 2007, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation launched the Canadian Test The Nation.
The format is designed to allow viewers to answer a number of questions in order to measure their IQ or their ability in some other 'intellectual' area. For instance, in the UK (where the show has run since 2002) there have been editions of the show devoted to general knowledge, knowledge of the UK itself, and the English language. There is also an annual test of the year's 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 was originally presented by Anne Robinson and Phillip Schofield. The BBC tests are devised and standardised by the academic Colin Cooper, of Queen's University Belfast, who is sometimes referred to on the programme as 'Sooperman Cooperman'.
Viewers can play along using interactive television, log onto the BBC website, or just use a pen and paper to keep score.
The last IQ test (in the UK) was shown on 27 August 2007, when the studio groups were reality show contestants, clairvoyants, surgeons, removal men, Robinsons, Wallaces and celebrities. In this episode Danny Wallace, a successful writer, made his first appearance as co-host. He replaces Phillip Schofield, who now works ''only'' with ITV.
Although there is usually an end-of-year test in the UK each year around Christmas, there wasn't one at the end of 2006. But at the start of 2007 there was a similar programme broadcast on BBC One called 'Your Country Needs You', presented by Patrick Kielty, with the same general format.

Contents

Broadcast dates

External links

Broadcast dates

:1 11 May 2002 The National IQ Test
:2 23 December 2002 The National 2002 Test
:3 22 March 2003 The National Relationship Test
:4 04 May 2003 The National IQ Test 2003
:5 06 September 2003 The National Quiz
:6 22 December 2003 The 2003 Test
:7 20 March 2004 The Great British Test
:8 22 May 2004 The IQ Test 2004
:9 02 September 2004 The Popular Music Test
:10 19 December 2004 The 2004 Test
:11 12 March 2005 The Big Entertainment Test
:12 04 June 2005 The 20th Century Test
:13 08 October 2005 Know Your English Test
:14 18 December 2005 The 2005 Test
:15 29 May 2006 Know Your Planet Test
:16 02 September 2006 The National IQ Test 2006
:17 27 August 2007 The National IQ Test 2007

External links

★ official BNN site (in Dutch)

★ Official RTÉ site

★ UK Gameshows Page: ''Test the Nation''

★ ''Test the Nation'' official BBC site

★ Psychologist's glowing review of the test

★ Official Canadian Test The Nation site