Jeopardy Online Qualifying Test

[Rodgers01]

Anyone else just take it? I don't remember any non-disclosure clauses when signing up (I assume they have different questions for the exams over the next two days for the midwest and West coasts), so I think we can discuss it. If anyone knows better, let me know.

Honestly, I didn't think it was that hard. I think I got about 45/50 questions right. I missed one or two of the science ones, and I didn't know the Secretary of State in the 1970s. The one I'm MOST mad at myself for missing was "On the Waterfront" being the 1954 Best Picture starring Marlon Brando -- I could think of everything about it but the name. Aargh.

[DrFidelius]

For some reason I could only think of Cyrus Vance as Secretary of State, but Carter wasn't elected until '76. So I got at least that one wrong.

[Marley23]

I'm sure I got in the 40s. I mistyped that the "meet" shall inherit the Earth, so I probably blew that one. There were a couple I didn't know, but I can't remember most of them. The literature thing about the Russian family was one of them.

[cainxinth]

Sec. in 73 was Kissinger...

I put "Cantrbry" for the question about pligrams. I wonder if that will count.

[Rodgers01]

I think I put Brzenski for the Secretary of State one, even though I knew (?) it wasn't him, and I'm sure I spelled it wrong.

I thought the Russian literature one where the youngest son's name was Dmitry was from "The Brothers Karamazov," but that was just a guess.

The one in the Dance category about Odette having to be a bird for one day a year -- was that Swan Lake or the Firebird (or something else)? I hope the former...

[Marley23]

Sec. in 73 was Kissinger...
Woohoo!
I put "Cantrbry" for the question about pligrams. I wonder if that will count.
They said they wouldn't deduct for incorrect spelling. I'd think that's close enough.
I thought the Russian literature one where the youngest son's name was Dmitry was from "The Brothers Karamazov," but that was just a guess.
Looks like you're right.
The one in the Dance category about Odette having to be a bird for one day a year -- was that Swan Lake or the Firebird (or something else)? I hope the former...
Swan Lake. We both got that one.

[Cliffy]

It wouldn't let me long on. Cocksuckers.

--Cliffy

[Marley23]

It wouldn't let me long on. Cocksuckers.
That sucks. The same thing happened to the father of one of my friends. The site said you should log in 15 minutes in advance, although I didn't notice that until checking this evening. Looks like they really stuck to it for some reason.

[TheOnlySaneOne]

Yeah, I couldn't for the life of me remember that Providence is the capital of Rhode Island. I had to skip or miss about five or six. Hopefully I got the rest right, though from what I've seen so far, I did okay.

(And who the Hell wrote 'Babbit'?)

[Marley23]

And who the Hell wrote 'Babbit'?
Sinclair Lewis. I read that in my spare time at around age 12- finally, it pays off. ;)

[Walloon]

I read Babbit when I was about that age, too! An odd choice for a 12-year-old maybe, but I liked it.

[waterj2]

The one I'm MOST mad at myself for missing was "On the Waterfront" being the 1954 Best Picture starring Marlon Brando -- I could think of everything about it but the name. Aargh.Wasn't this the question the other guy has to get wrong in Quiz Show in order to lose to Ralph Fiennes character? Or was On the Waterfront the wrong answer and Marty the right answer?

[Marley23]

I read Babbit when I was about that age, too! An odd choice for a 12-year-old maybe, but I liked it.
I didn't dislike it. Now that I think about it, who knows how much it shaped my views of suburbia. ;)

[Lsura]

D'oh!


I signed up, then completely forgot about it. They should have sent a reminder e-mail or something.


Ah well. I get over things like this pretty quickly.

[Rodgers01]

Wasn't this the question the other guy has to get wrong in Quiz Show in order to lose to Ralph Fiennes character? Or was On the Waterfront the wrong answer and Marty the right answer?

I'm not sure what the question was or what the wrong answer he had to give was, but the right answer was Marty -- and the poor guy had seen that movie about 5 times.

[Sean Factotum]

When it asked about the Nobel Prize winner, I blanked completely. Of course I remembered it later (since he's one of my choices on this year's Dead Pool). And could not for the life of me remember the name of the Julia Roberts movie, although I knew what it was. (I had the same problem with Gallipoli on Final Jeopardy the other night. Knew everything about it except the name.)

[Sal Ammoniac]

I probably got five or six wrong. I should have kept more careful track. The funny thing is, most of the ones I had trouble with are mentioned in this thread. By the way, what was the one about the DaVinci Code? Something about the character being introduced in a previous novel? Had to pass on that one.

[h.sapiens]

I'm not sure what the question was or what the wrong answer he had to give was, but the right answer was Marty -- and the poor guy had seen that movie about 5 times.

"Marty" won Best Picture in 1955.

[Ensign Edison]

Honestly, I didn't think it was that hard. I think I got about 45/50 questions right. I missed one or two of the science ones, and I didn't know the Secretary of State in the 1970s. The one I'm MOST mad at myself for missing was "On the Waterfront" being the 1954 Best Picture starring Marlon Brando -- I could think of everything about it but the name. Aargh.

"They're going to ask me what won the Best goddamn Picture for nineteen hundred and fifty five* and I have to answer 'On the Waterfront'. They have to utz me with a question any child knows."**

Of course, it's no longer 1956, so it's a much harder question now. ;)

*Marty (http://imdb.com/title/tt0048356/)

**I've seen the movie this quote is from more than a hundred times. Has anyone else seen it even once? ;p

[Ensign Edison]

Okay, so, everybody else has, which makes me happy, and I should preview thread before posting.

[Walloon]

"Marty" won Best Picture in 1955.Marty won "Best Picture of 1955" in 1956.

[Cliffy]

That sucks. The same thing happened to the father of one of my friends. The site said you should log in 15 minutes in advance, although I didn't notice that until checking this evening. Looks like they really stuck to it for some reason.

Oh, I logged on well in advance, and then steadily for about 40 minutes until 10 after.

Again I say, cocksuckers.

--Cliffy

[Sal Ammoniac]

Just curious, Cliffy, did you use Internet Explorer? That was recommended somewhere on the site.

[Hal Briston]

Five years from now:
______________________________________________________________________________________________

"Daddy, will you buy me this toy?"

"Well sweetie, I'd love to. However, when you were four months old, you went into a crying jag that made daddy completly forget about the online Jeopardy tryouts. Now, daddy certainly would've went on to win thousands upon thousands of dollars which he woud've used to buy you all the toys you wanted, but unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. So you see, Angel, daddy can't afford to buy you toys because you cry."
______________________________________________________________________________________________

That'll fix 'er.

[jsc1953]

Dammitall....I registered last night and was planning to take the test tonight; then I read the fine print on Eligibility, and saw that anyone who has appeared on the show during the Alex Trebek Era was not eligible.

So even though I came in 3rd place in 19-freakin'-88 with $1 to my name and won a freakin' stove I couldn't even use...I'm not eligible to play. I was under the impression that there was just a 3-year waiting period to reappear.

Dammit.

[jackelope]

I'm taking it tonight (and being careful not to read any of the preceding posts, although I'm sure they won't reuse questions).

A question: The registration site clearly says "Use a PC and Internet Explorer 5.0 and above"; have any of you taken it in Firefox? I prefer Firefox, but I'll use IE if necessary.

[mobo85]

By the way, what was the one about the DaVinci Code? Something about the character being introduced in a previous novel? Had to pass on that one.

I knew that one- Angels and Demons.

The one I blanked on was the Motown artist who recorded Sir Duke. I was thinking to myself. "Stevie Wonder, right? No, he's blind, and I don't think the guy who sang it was blind. I know the guy...what was his name?" Thinking it over later that night, it turned out it was Stevie Wonder.

Ah, well. It was fun. Hopefully they'll call me back.

[Sal Ammoniac]

Oh, hell, missed both of those. So, let's see, I missed:

1) The meek inheriting the earth (I put "poor," like a numskull)
2) Odette
3) Dmitry
4) The DaVinci Code character
5) "Sir Duke"

So that's five I know of, and I feel like I'm forgetting one or two, plus possibly the odd one where I thought I was right, but wasn't. I'm beginning to think I fell short.

[iamthewalrus(:3=]

This is a total hijack, but how do they keep people from cheating at the online test?

Google would come up with the answers to many of those questions quite quickly.

[Hal Briston]

This is a total hijack, but how do they keep people from cheating at the online test?They don't.

But if you cheat, and make it to the next round where they do live test-taking, they'll probably frown on you bringing a laptop to the test table.

[Marley23]

This is a total hijack, but how do they keep people from cheating at the online test?
They only gave you 15 seconds to answer each question. By the time you read the question, you might've had time for some quick searching, but you might be pushing your luck.

[missbunny]

Yeah, I couldn't for the life of me remember that Providence is the capital of Rhode Island. I had to skip or miss about five or six. Hopefully I got the rest right, though from what I've seen so far, I did okay.
Which question was that?
Cliffy, I think you logged on too early. The site said you couldn’t do it until 7:45.

I missed the “the meek” question (I put down “the merciful”); the Canterbury Tales (I think I put the Decameron); the Da Vinci code author; the Brothers Karamazov character; and a few others. Most of them I knew too but my brain just got completely confused. It’s like I knew the answer but I couldn’t get my fingers to type it.

What was the answer to the one about the island nation in the Med?

Re finding answers on Google, you only had 15 seconds – I think it would have been hard to google, read, and get back to type the answer by then. Those 15 seconds went by really fast.

[Marley23]

Which question was that?
I think the actual question was about the only Ivy League school in Rhode Island, which would be Brown.
What was the answer to the one about the island nation in the Med?
Cyprus, if I remember right.

[missbunny]

I think the actual question was about the only Ivy League school in Rhode Island, which would be Brown.

Cyprus, if I remember right.

I thought the other poster was referring to the state capital question - which one lies on Puget Sound? (What is that by the way?) I guessed Eugene - duh, so very wrong, I know. And I know the answer! But my . fingers . wouldn't . type . it .

[Sean Factotum]

I think the actual question was about the only Ivy League school in Rhode Island, which would be Brown.
Dammit! I had that, but changed it to Rutgers.
So I missed that, the Julia Robert question, Harold Pintner, hollandaise sauce, and the DaVinci Code questions that I know of. I'm definitely out of it for this one.

[Sal Ammoniac]

Shit! I put bearnaise sauce. Strike six.

[Rodgers01]

I started off this thread cockily confident that I got about 45 right...now I'm realizing it couldn't have been so. I didn't get the British playwrite one (assuming it was Harold Pinter; I put Tom Stoppard), I don't think I got the football one (don't remember the question, but I put Green Bay Packers), or "On the Waterfront," or the Secretary of State, among others. Hmm, not so good -- maybe it's not in the cards this time.

As for the question about cheating: the time limit prevented you from googling stuff, but what was to prevent anyone from getting a bunch of people together to answer questions as a group?

[Robot Arm]

I thought the other poster was referring to the state capital question - which one lies on Puget Sound? (What is that by the way?) I guessed Eugene - duh, so very wrong, I know. And I know the answer! But my . fingers . wouldn't . type . it .Puget Sound is the large inlet of the Pacific Ocean that extends into western Washington State, from Whidbey Island at the north, to Olympia (ding, ding, ding) at the south, and does not include Hood Canal. Elliot Bay, the Tacoma Narrows, McNeil Island, etc. are all smaller features of the larger sound.

And what is this online Jeopardy test of which you all speak?

[Sal Ammoniac]

As for the question about cheating: the time limit prevented you from googling stuff, but what was to prevent anyone from getting a bunch of people together to answer questions as a group?

Nothing, I guess, and I bet people did. Still, it'd be kind of pointless, since you'd just get shown up at the next level.

[Sternvogel]

I thought the other poster was referring to the state capital question - which one lies on Puget Sound? (What is that by the way?) I guessed Eugene - duh, so very wrong, I know.

Olympia, the capital of Washington, is at the southern tip of Puget Sound. (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.avalonwine.com/washingon-map-puget-sound.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.avalonwine.com/Washington-State-Wine-Maps.htm&h=424&w=271&sz=41&tbnid=CHt3F_uViSgO0M:&tbnh=122&tbnw=77&hl=en&start=14&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPuget%2BSound%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN) Eugene is in Oregon, the state whose capital is Salem.

[Robot Arm]

Olympia, the capital of Washington, is at the southern tip of Puget Sound. (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.avalonwine.com/washingon-map-puget-sound.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.avalonwine.com/Washington-State-Wine-Maps.htm&h=424&w=271&sz=41&tbnid=CHt3F_uViSgO0M:&tbnh=122&tbnw=77&hl=en&start=14&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPuget%2BSound%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN) Eugene is in Oregon, the state whose capital is Salem.A picture is worth 52 words.

[Marley23]

Shit! I put bearnaise sauce. Strike six.
Which question was that? I probably blew it, but I can't remember.

I really hope they change the questions for the other parts of the country, because this thread is practically an answer key. :p

[Sal Ammoniac]

In the category "Sauces," which sauce do you put on eggs benedict?

And I think they'd have to have a different set of questions for the CST and PST test-takers.

[missbunny]

Oh, I know what Puget Sound is. I just got all confused in my mind between Olympia, Salem, Eugene, Puget Sound, and the Willammette River.

I do much better while playing along on TV. Really.

[Marley23]

In the category "Sauces," which sauce do you put on eggs benedict?
Yeah... I'm a vegetarian and I was never a big fan of eggs, so I didn't have a prayer at that one. C'est la vie. So I know I missed that, the Karamazov question, and since I put "meet" for "meek," I imagine I will not inherit the correct answer to that question. Still feeling pretty good about my results.
And I think they'd have to have a different set of questions for the CST and PST test-takers.
I'm sure they would. I'm just wondering aloud if I'm giving my spot on Jeopardy away to some clever West Coast Doper. It WOULD be cool if we got a whole armada of people from this board on the show in a short span of time. ;)

[Sampiro]

Question: I registered for this last week and I know it took my registration (when I tried to register for the "live and in person" auditions it told me "Sorry, you've already registered for the online audition") but they never sent me a confirmation. Did those of you here get confirmations? (I'm taking it tonight if I can get on.)

[Walloon]

In the category "Sauces," which sauce do you put on eggs benedict?Hollandaise sauce (http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/recipe_hollandaise.htm).

[jackelope]

Question: I registered for this last week and I know it took my registration (when I tried to register for the "live and in person" auditions it told me "Sorry, you've already registered for the online audition") but they never sent me a confirmation. Did those of you here get confirmations? (I'm taking it tonight if I can get on.)
I didn't get a confirmation. Then again, I havent done the tryout yet (it's in an hour and a half), so maybe I'm screwed.

[Sampiro]

Just took it. The ones I know I didn't:

"Playful" inventor of the mobile- anybody know?

"Puerto Rican Hall of Famer who died in a 1972 plane crash" (Roberto Clemente- I looked it up)

Category: C to C- a type of disease that recurs and goes into remission (as well as I remember the question). I have a feeling I'll feel stupid when I learn this one.

I'm sure I got the 40 necessary at least.

[Antonius Block]

Just took it: although I'm in California, I decided to do the "Central / Mountain Time" day (today) since I'm out to dinner tomorrow evening

I hope this doesn't disqualify me... hope they don't check IP Addresses if I tell them that I was visiting Chicago when I took it.

BTW none of the questions mentioned earlier in this thread appeared today.

Damn baseball questions...

[Lamar Mundane]

Well, that sucked.

It took me 20 questions to get comfortable, then I rolled after that, except for the Shakespeare.

Why couldn't I get Robert Byrd? I know that!

[Sampiro]

Ah, and the other baseball question I didn't get- something about the 1941 Red Sox. (I put Gehrig because it was the only baseball player I could think of for the era- I knew he was "pride of the Yankees" but hoped perhaps he switched teams at some point.

[Lamar Mundane]

Ah, and the other baseball question I didn't get- something about the 1941 Red Sox. (I put Gehrig because it was the only baseball player I could think of for the era- I knew he was "pride of the Yankees" but hoped perhaps he switched teams at some point.
Ted Williams

[Omniscient]

Wow, that was tougher than I expected.

Missed quite a few.

Sampiro...I put "cyclic" for that one.

Missed the playful sculptor and about all the bible related ones. Which Sicilian volcano was that which keeps erupting, Etna or Vesuvius? So many mistakes....

[Sampiro]

Does anybody know the "C to C" question?

[Antonius Block]

Just took it. The ones I know I didn't:

"Playful" inventor of the mobile- anybody know?

"Puerto Rican Hall of Famer who died in a 1972 plane crash" (Roberto Clemente- I looked it up)

Category: C to C- a type of disease that recurs and goes into remission (as well as I remember the question). I have a feeling I'll feel stupid when I learn this one.

I'm sure I got the 40 necessary at least.

Mobile: Alexander Calder, I think.

Don't know baseball... :(

Disease: Chronic?

The only ones I can *remember* not getting were baseball-related and plymouth rock, whose date I forgot.

[Sampiro]

Disease: Chronic?
:smack: :wally :smack:

[I]The only ones I can *remember* not getting were baseball-related and plymouth rock, whose date I forgot.[/QUOTE]
1620

[Lamar Mundane]

Just took it. The ones I know I didn't:

"Playful" inventor of the mobile- anybody know?

"Puerto Rican Hall of Famer who died in a 1972 plane crash" (Roberto Clemente- I looked it up)

Category: C to C- a type of disease that recurs and goes into remission (as well as I remember the question). I have a feeling I'll feel stupid when I learn this one.

I'm sure I got the 40 necessary at least.
Alexander Calder
Clemente
Chronic

[Sampiro]

It took me 20 questions to get comfortable, then I rolled after that, except for the Shakespeare.

The Tempest

[Marley23]

The Tempest
Aw, that's my favorite- what was the clue?

[Sampiro]

Missed the playful sculptor and about all the bible related ones. Which Sicilian volcano was that which keeps erupting, Etna or Vesuvius? So many mistakes....

Etna (Vesuvius is Italian).

[Sampiro]

Aw, that's my favorite- what was the clue?

Caliban and Ariel are characters in this late play.

Calder, Ted Williams and Clemente are answers I don't feel bad about not getting because I flatly didn't know them and therefore couldn't have guessed. "Chronic" I'll probably say on my death bed in relation to this. ;)

Of course I've passed the test three times (the last time 4 years ago) and have never been called, so c'est la vie.

[Antonius Block]

Aw, that's my favorite- what was the clue?
Late Shakespeare play with Ariel and Caliban.

Was it really Ted Williams for the Red Sox? I guessed him so yay for ignorant luck!

[Sampiro]

I guessed "Mary" for the popular 19th century biblical name. It could have been Ann or Elizabeth or Ruth or Keturah-Na'amah. Anybody know for sure?

[easy e]

Could the disease be cancer, or is that too generic?

[Lamar Mundane]

Was the Neil Simon play "Barefoot in the Park"?

I only manged to get in "Barefoot in" I hope that counts.

[Sampiro]

Was the Neil Simon play "Barefoot in the Park"?

I only manged to get in "Barefoot in" I hope that counts.

Yes. And I think they'll count Barefoot in since "the Park" was part of the clue.

I misspelled Etna as Aetna (like the insurance company). I hope they count that.

[Antonius Block]

I guessed "Mary" for the popular 19th century biblical name. It could have been Ann or Elizabeth or Ruth or Keturah-Na'amah. Anybody know for sure?Wikipedia page for most popular names (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_popular_names), with links for various decades, confirms Mary.

I, naturally, wrote Sarah. :(

[Sampiro]

Does anybody know if the Mekong was the right river?

I blanked on Fishburne for a good 10 seconds, but I got it in just under the wire.

[Antonius Block]

Does anybody know if the Mekong was the right river?I hope so!

Okay, just looked at Google Earth, and it's confirmed.

I wonder if the combined memories of the Jeopardy Dopers can come up with all 50 questions?

[Sampiro]

I also said Marquez for the author (full name Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez, minus the doohickeys). I hope they count that.

[Rodgers01]

I'm sure I got the 40 necessary at least.

Where did you see that you need 40 to qualify? I don't remember hearing that, but I think I got at least 40 so I hope you're right...

The CST questions sound a bit tougher than the East coast ones....I don't think I could have come up with the sculptor question, or chronic, or the baseball ones.

[Rodgers01]

I also said Marquez for the author (full name Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez, minus the doohickeys). I hope they count that.

The rules said that for the purposes of this exam just last names would be fan.



But everyone did remember to phrase the answers in the form of a question, right?























Just kidding. :)

[MentalGuy]

Just took it. The ones I know I didn't:

"Playful" inventor of the mobile- anybody know?

"Puerto Rican Hall of Famer who died in a 1972 plane crash" (Roberto Clemente- I looked it up)

Category: C to C- a type of disease that recurs and goes into remission (as well as I remember the question). I have a feeling I'll feel stupid when I learn this one.

I'm sure I got the 40 necessary at least.

I put Calder for the inventor of the mobile.

I got Clemente.

I answered Chronic for the disease.

[MentalGuy]

And forgot this was a two page thread so did not preview before posting.

[Antonius Block]

Now that the dust has settled until Thursday evening, I have a couple of thoughts:

1)Oh, I logged on well in advance, and then steadily for about 40 minutes until 10 after.

Again I say, cocksuckers.

--CliffyCliffy, your SDMB profile has the e-mail disabled, so I can't contact you directly. I hope that you -- or anyone else who previously tried to log on but couldn't -- get to read this before 8pm PST Thursday night..


The Jeopardy! site mentioned that the test might work on the Mac, and might work with PC browsers other than MS Internet Explorer. The lack of certainty led me to think that the Jeopardy! web programmers don't give a flying fig about platform/browser compatability, so I made sure that I used a recent build of IE (with a flash plug-in installed) to log on, even though I'm usually a Firefox user. Did you use IE >= v5.0 on a PC, with Flash enabled? If not, perhaps that's why you couldn't log in. Sucks, but it's not the first time I've run into stupid browser requirements.
As I mentioned in post #50 (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7247030&postcount=50) upthread, I'm in California but played Wednesday evening ("Central/Mountain" day). Even though I had signed up Tuesday, giving my California address and my preference for San Francisco as a "brick-and-mortar" test-taking location, they let me log on and take Wednesday's test. This suggests to me that, assuming you were never logged in by Jeopardy!'s servers on Tuesday evening, you ought to be able to log in (PC/IE5/Flash-enabled) on Thursday for the 8pm PST / 11pm EST test. Perhaps it's worth trying, at least!
For all I know, they'll reject me outright as a PST resident taking the test on Wednesday. However, they explicitly say (both on the Web site and on the TV ads) that "you can only take the test once, so sign up now!". If they were really going to insist that one can only take the test on the day that matches the time zone of the submitted zip code, then they should have been more explicit. I took the test a day early because I'm having dinner with friends on the "Pacific" test day; those of you who have missed the test so far have nothing to lose by trying to log in on Thursday around 7:30pm PST for an 8:03pm PST test.

2) There's one thing about the timing of the test that surprised me. You have a maximum of 15 seconds per question, but you can enter an answer (or skip) during the 15-second countdown, and the next question appears almost immediately. I was consistently entering answers after about 5 seconds or so for questions for which I was sure of the answer (I figured that it would waste brain-bandwidth to overthink an answer, and it was better to strike up a rhythm, aceing an answer and moving on, rather than waiting the full 15 seconds in order to possibly correct a wrong answer).

That opens up a possible "gaming" of the system: in addition to the previously-mentioned options of having many friends available (similar to "phone-a-friend", i.e. many brains are better than one), it also allows the possibility that a group of friends (e.g. in a student dorm) can all sign up to help just one of them get selected. The "sacrificial lambs" can fast-forward through early questions, then Google the later questions. If it's arranged so that the fast-forwarders take different staggered clues, the "designated Jeopardy! contestant" (who is plugging through the questions 15 seconds at a time) can have all of the later questions already Googled by his/her friends by the time he/she gets to them. This of course assumes good teamwork, and clearly one would want to designate the best Jeopardy! player as the one that is to be helped, because it's only going to get them through to the next selection round (plus, the first few questions can't be gamed this way). I'm just surprised that the Jeopardy! site programmers didn't sidestep this possibility by making all questions be served out at exactly 15 seconds apart.

[Sternvogel]

Could the disease be cancer, or is that too generic?

The category was "C to C", so the answer would have to both begin and end with C. Also, the phrasing of the clue suggested a response consisting of an adjective (as opposed to a noun). Chronic fits the requirements.

To nitpick Sampiro's volcano post: Vesuvius is mainland Italian (it's the volcano that destroyed Pompeii). Etna is on the island of Sicily, which is included in the nation of Italy.

I've missed the first two nights of testing, so I may try a "reverse Antonius Block" tonight and claim I'm a Californian who's on temporary assignment in Indiana. :D

[jackelope]

The Jeopardy! site mentioned that the test might work on the Mac, and might work with PC browsers other than MS Internet Explorer. The lack of certainty led me to think that the Jeopardy! web programmers don't give a flying fig about platform/browser compatability, so I made sure that I used a recent build of IE (with a flash plug-in installed) to log on, even though I'm usually a Firefox user.For what it's worth, I took the test in Firefox (on a PC) with no trouble.

And I think you're right about the possibility of a group "fast-forwarding" some of the questions so they could Google the later answers for their pals; nice creative thinking. Then again, as others have pointed out, all this would get you would be a (possible) chance to do an interview and embarrass yourself in person; there will be in-person interviews before anyone gets on the show.

[Doctor Who]

I thought it was all right. And, I even used Firefox (not to be contrary or anything, but I couldn't get IE to work properly).

Anyway, I knew a lot of the answers. The ones that I didn't know, I *really* didn't know. I used my full 15 second allotment to ponder however, and managed to work out a couple that I struggled with: franking - which I remembered the name of at the last second, and danish. Danish. I swear I typed that in at the last available second they gave us.

Thoughts? Comments?

The Doctor

[Rodgers01]

Anyway, I knew a lot of the answers. The ones that I didn't know, I *really* didn't know. I used my full 15 second allotment to ponder however, and managed to work out a couple that I struggled with: franking - which I remembered the name of at the last second, and danish. Danish. I swear I typed that in at the last available second they gave us.

What were the clues for these two questions? Do you remember any others?

[Doctor Who]

What were the clues for these two questions? Do you remember any others?
The first one was something like "Congressional Powers" and the clue was "Members of the Congress have this privilege of using the mail system free" or something like that.

The second one was "Edible Nationalities" (or Edible Names) and it was "Kierkegaard was from this country."

I actually don't remember a lot more than those. They stuck out because I figured them out in the 15 seconds. I think a few more of the answers were J.K. Rowling, Valerie Plame, and ummm.... yeah that's it.

The Doctor

[fiddlesticks]

I'm pretty sure that every answer that I typed in was right, but unfortunately there were five or six questions that I left unanswered, starting with the ballet one, so I have a feeling I won't be hearing back. Suffered brain-freeze on "H.M.S. Pinafore". Remember that just as time expired, but not in time to type it. All I could think of was Sideshow Bob. <sigh> My first blank was the ballet one early on...can someone clue me in there?

One answer was Rutherford B. Hayes...the question's main clue was his wife's name, Lucy, who was an answer in a question in the real game a couple of nights ago. Probably wouldn't have thought of it if not for that, and still got it in just in time...didn't read the category first, so I had no idea they were looking for a president.

[RickJay]

I had to do this test 'cause I missed the first two.

I don't think I got 40. Crap.

[Sampiro]

Bump.

Has anybody heard anything yet regarding auditions? Or did they say when you could expect to if you were among the elect?

[Sampiro]

And btw, passing I learned from the official homepage is 35/50 questions, not 40/50.

[Rodgers01]

And btw, passing I learned from the official homepage is 35/50 questions, not 40/50.

Nope, haven't heard anything, and I don't expect to for quite a while (if at all). They indicated that they're going to have to personally grade each test, since they said they'd take spelling mistakes into account. However many thousands of people (tens of thousands? a hundred thousand?) took the test, times fifty questions -- I bet it'll be a while.

Where'd you see that it's only 35/50? I think I got that...but probably so did a lot of other people.

[Sampiro]

Nope, haven't heard anything, and I don't expect to for quite a while (if at all). They indicated that they're going to have to personally grade each test, since they said they'd take spelling mistakes into account. However many thousands of people (tens of thousands? a hundred thousand?) took the test, times fifty questions -- I bet it'll be a while.

Where'd you see that it's only 35/50? I think I got that...but probably so did a lot of other people.

It was in rifling through the webpage and was about a specific audition in L.A.. Unfortunately I can't link because the URL remains "jeopardy.com". Wikipedia says this:

At the end of the fifty questions, the contestant coordinators take the completed answer sheets and grade them. Though some sources state that a score of 35 is passing, the contestant coordinators refuse to confirm or deny that and the official passing score is kept a secret. Some people who have auditioned speculate that the passing score varies depending on how many contestants are needed for the show. Exact scores are not disclosed, only pass/fail results. Those who did not pass the test are dismissed, and those who did pass the test remain for the third phase of the audition.

The jeopardy web site also says that on average 400 people will be on the show each year (varies due to the number of multi-day champions in a year) and that approximately 10% of the people who take the test pass. (That number would still be many times the 400.)

This I do know from the times I've passed the written audition: you'll be asked to fill out a form in which you tell 5 interesting things about yourself and I've heard from a friend who was on the show that these matter GREATLY when they're deciding who to choose. They also take a Polaroid of you for your file and make notes while they interview you. During the mock tournament you'll get a Daily Double and be told how much you and the other contestants have; there being no reason not to I'm guessing "true Daily Double" (even if the category is 'Famous Icelandic Politicians and their Dogs') would be the best bet.

[jackelope]

The jeopardy web site also says that on average 400 people will be on the show each year (varies due to the number of multi-day champions in a year) :dubious:

How does it vary with the number of multi-day champions? Aren't there two brand-new players each day, regardless of how many days the current champion has been winning? I'd think the number of players each year would be twice the number of shows per year.

Well, actually, if X is the number of shows per year, then the number of players per year would be (2X + 1), since one person carries over from the year before.

[Sampiro]

:dubious:

How does it vary with the number of multi-day champions? Aren't there two brand-new players each day, regardless of how many days the current champion has been winning? I'd think the number of players each year would be twice the number of shows per year.

Well, actually, if X is the number of shows per year, then the number of players per year would be (2X + 1), since one person carries over from the year before.

My bad. I was working on the rules of Jeopardy before the Ken Jennings new-paradigm heresy, when multi-day champions were retired after X number of days (five, I believe) and each year there were days when three new contestants were introduced, which varied the number a bit. Today you're on until defeated which changes that (though there's still a tiny bit of fluctuation, such as when champions tie and only one new player is introduced or other odd but occurring occurences).

[Marley23]

I passed! I just got an e-mail inviting me to audition in New York City next month. I sent in my RSVP, and it sounds like I should be all set. I'm sure other Dopers are going to make it as well, so I'm bumping this thread...

[Sal Ammoniac]

I was wondering about this just today. I went on the Jeopardy website, and it sounds like at some more or less ill-defined period before the audition, they'll let you know. It also sounded like there was basically a lottery among the people who passed the test, assuming they had too many.

Of course, in addition to worrying about whether I passed the test, I have to worry whether my work spam filter will eat their message.

[kaylasdad99]

Category: C to C- a type of disease that recurs and goes into remission (as well as I remember the question). I have a feeling I'll feel stupid when I learn this one.Uhh, Cancer?

[kaylasdad99]

Uhh, Cancer?Okay, now I feel stupid.
:o

[DrFidelius]

Got the invitation email today for the next level in New York in May. I hope it's going to be at the Chelsea Piers again, The Wife and I can make a nice day of it.

Come on folks, I know there has to be more than just two of us who passed.

[TheOnlySaneOne]

So if we don't get called in, does that mean we're banned from taking the test live at any of their later auditions?

[Marley23]

Got the invitation email today for the next level in New York in May. I hope it's going to be at the Chelsea Piers again, The Wife and I can make a nice day of it.
We'll have to arrange some kind of signal.

[Rodgers01]

No word. :( So I guess that means I either didn't pass, or if I did I didn't get selected in the lottery. I'd like to know which one it is, though I don't expect to find out. Oh well.

[Sampiro]

None here either, but then I asked for the Atlanta audition (or D.C. for second choice). I've no idea if everybody who passes will be called to do the facetime audition.

TO THOSE WHO'VE GOTTEN THE CALL AND HAVEN'T AUDITIONED IN PERSON BEFORE- go ahead now and think of five or more interesting things about yourself (you'll be asked), what you would do with the money if you won (they also ask this- apparently they don't like hearing "pay bills and go to Disney" but they probably don't like "put half on red at Tunica and spend the rest on crystal meth and titty bars" any better) and remember to always bet high in the mock round as, I'm told by an acquaintance who was a two day champion, they like that.
If you're chosen they do not provide airfare, accomodations or anything other than the chance to play the game. They'll also say "it's not guaranteed you'll be on the show even if you are asked to come to Hollywood for the game" but I'm told this is basically a CYA disclaimer just in case there's an earthquake or you find out the associate producer is your long lost twin or some other freak occurrence that would stop the taping or invalidate you as a contestant. 99.999999% of the contestants who go to L.A. at their request appear on the show.)

[Marley23]

TO THOSE WHO'VE GOTTEN THE CALL AND HAVEN'T AUDITIONED IN PERSON BEFORE- go ahead now and think of five or more interesting things about yourself (you'll be asked), what you would do with the money if you won (they also ask this- apparently they don't like hearing "pay bills and go to Disney" but they probably don't like "put half on red at Tunica and spend the rest on crystal meth and titty bars" any better) and remember to always bet high in the mock round as, I'm told by an acquaintance who was a two day champion, they like that.
I'm not sure where Tunica is and we don't call them titty bars up here, but I'll keep it in mind. (I'll try to keep quiet about the crystal meth.) Lucky me, I've been trying to get more interesting lately.

[DrFidelius]

The Girls say that I have not gotten on to the show yet because I am make the avearge boring white guys look interesting.

Maybe I'll work in a mention of The Winslow, or say I want to start a coatimundi farm.

[Sampiro]

Use the phrase "I want to use the proceeds from this laughable opiate of a show to finance a project that will finally bring this blood soaked land to justice, and pay off some credit cards" in your interview. That will get their attention.

[DrFidelius]

I was going to wear a blue blazer, khakis, an oxford cloth shirt and a nice tie. But now I think I'll pick up a dragon shirt at the Goodwill and wear that instead...

[Marley23]

Auditions are at the Waldorf-Astoria. I've probably got the nice clothes, but I want to try to lose a little weight, too.

[Rodgers01]

Hey, I did pass after all!! Interview in Philadelphia on May 23rd!! Rock on!

Any other Philly-folk get it?

[Antonius Block]

I just received my e-mail invite to the next level, in San Francisco on June 15th at 12 noon! Any other Dopers going to be there?

[Apparently, my questionable method of taking the test on "Central / Mountain Time day", even though I'm in California, was not held against me.]

I took the test in San Francisco a few years ago and passed through to the "seven people from whom we'll invite three on the show" stage, but never got the call. I wasn't prepared for the "five interesting anecdotes" part that time, but this time I have 7 weeks in which to invent an interesting life for myself...

W00t!

[Marley23]

Tomorrow is the big day here in New York. I probably should have done this sooner, but is there some way we can meet, Dr. Fidelius?

[Antonius Block]

Good luck at the NYC auditions, Marley23 and DrFidelius!

[Marley23]

Thanks very much, Antoninus. I felt good going in today, and I think things went very well and that I showcased whatever personality I have. As it happened, I sat right next to DrFidelius the whole time, but we didn't introduce ourselves until after I mentioned the Dope during the personal interview portion. One of the women who conducted the audition seemed aware of the column or the site, which I thought was interesting.

The audition went the way people described it elsewhere in this thread, but if any of the future auditioners have a question, ask away.

[Rodgers01]

Thanks very much, Antoninus. I felt good going in today, and I think things went very well and that I showcased whatever personality I have. As it happened, I sat right next to DrFidelius the whole time, but we didn't introduce ourselves until after I mentioned the Dope during the personal interview portion. One of the women who conducted the audition seemed aware of the column or the site, which I thought was interesting.

The audition went the way people described it elsewhere in this thread, but if any of the future auditioners have a question, ask away.

Actually, I'd be very interested to hear in more detail what this part of the audition was like. I've read about Jeopardy auditions on other threads on these boards, but I wasn't sure if the process would be different for those of us who passed the online round. Did you find out right away if you're in the contestant pool? What was the test like? The more detail the better, if you're willing. :) *


*I'm hoping to ace this test, because SOMEHOW my innocent comment to a relative that I had passed the first round to get on the show has morphed into my extended family all believing that I WILL be on the show, so the pressure's on. Lesson: never tell your family anything until you're sure about it. :)

[Marley23]

I'm also going to write a column about this, so I guess I can't give away my best material. ;) First thing: this whole audition is about your energy and personality, not so much your game skills. But here's the rough order of events:

We were supposed to arrive by 9:30 and start filling out some forms. It was simple stuff - name, age, address, employer, dates you'd be unavailable for the show, home town. They also took Polaroids of everyone, and they were encouraging everyone to chat and be lively. They assume you more or less know how to play. It was too early for most of us, but we tried.

Then they herded everybody into a conference room with a and gave us some hints about playing the game - stuff I'm sure everybody knew. How "Before and After" categories work, what "this" might mean, 'keep the category in mind'... simple stuff. Then came the test, which was the same thing as what you already took online (although the questions were read by a recording of Don Pardo, and the whole thing was quicker).

After the test and some decompression time, they called people up three at a time for the simulated games. The most helpful advice by far were there explanations of how to work the buzzers, so pay attention to that stuff. The game was set up like normal Jeopardy, although each category only had three questions. They didn't keep track of the scores. They just want you to pick the categories quickly, and speak with enthusiasm. Then they do the little personal interview thing - say a little about yourself, they'll ask something from the forms you've handed in, and just show some personality or make or absorb a joke or two. Be relaxed and be yourself. Or, if you're not a particularly relaxed or interesting person, be someone who IS relaxing and interesting. It's all good.

As far as the contestant pool goes... They said everyone at the audition was in. I don't know if that will be true everywhere or what, and I was surprised, but it did take away some of the anxiety.

[DrFidelius]

They took a Polaroid photo to attach to your "Five Interesting Things" sheet and your personal info. This way they remember what you look like; they want a variety of people for the show. I suppose if they need to appeal to the "people who look like a thumb with jowls" demographic, I'm in.

The fifty questions (read by Johnny Gilbert) are just like the on-line mix. I have to presume they still have that in the process to weed out ringers. You qualified to be in the pool by passing the on-line test, this dog-and-pony show was so the contestant coordinators could see how you might look and act during game play.

They seem to be looking for energy. Sometimes I felt we were auditioning for Wheel of Fortune.

(I had completely forgotten who it was I suppposd to be looking for, so sitting next to a guy named Marley didn't register with me at first. Don't take it personally, I am an aloof and unsociable cuss. There was another guy from my hometown, The Wife asked if I caught his name. She should have known better; the only name I remember from the audition is Ivan.)

[Rodgers01]

Great, thanks for all the details guys. Vey helpful. Marley, let us know when you write that column about your experience.

[Marley23]

I had completely forgotten who it was I suppposd to be looking for, so sitting next to a guy named Marley didn't register with me at first.
I took nothing personally. I didn't think to describe myself in this thread and I don't think I introduced myself to you. I'm glad Maggie asked me about the message board comment, although I thought it was weird that she went for that instead of any of my Interesting Things. The spiel I gave about my name was on that list, though.

I'll say this- I'm sure Doug's going to be on the show. He played quite well, and being blind probably does more than enough to make him stand out from the pack.

[commasense]

I'm hoping to ace this test, because SOMEHOW my innocent comment to a relative that I had passed the first round to get on the show has morphed into my extended family all believing that I WILL be on the show, so the pressure's on. Lesson: never tell your family anything until you're sure about it. :)This is exactly why I never told anyone I had taken the test until I heard that I was going to be on the show. (This was back in 1991.) It was tough to keep the secret, but I did it.

BTW, about the "passing" score: I don't think there is one, at least not in the sense of a number above which you are guaranteed to get in. I suspect that they just take as many people as they need, starting with the top scorers and working down. So, yeah, if you get a perfect score, you're probably in. But if they need, say, 50 people, and you're with particularly smart batch of people, 49 of whom get perfect scores, your 40 probably isn't going to be good enough. So there is undoubtedly a number above which most people get in, but short of perfect (or maybe one or two wrong), you probably don't have a lock at any particular number. Just my WAG.

When I was in Atlantic City for my test, before they called out the names of the people who were going on to the next stage (my name was the last one called), they told everyone, "If your name isn't called, you can tell everyone at home that you missed it by one."

Congrats to Marley23 and DrFidelius, and good luck. Keep us informed. I need to keep my list (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=287408&highlight=jeopardy) up to date.

[commasense]

Oh, and Antonius, too!

[Marley23]

*I'm hoping to ace this test, because SOMEHOW my innocent comment to a relative that I had passed the first round to get on the show has morphed into my extended family all believing that I WILL be on the show, so the pressure's on.
I meant to comment on this - some of my friends and co-workers have also had some trouble understanding how the process works, so I feel your pain. Try to be firm. :p

The column should be in print next Thursday. I'll figure out a way to get it posted here or by a link, since I do try to keep my full name a secret here. Although I will happily chuck that rule if I appear on the actual show. ;)

[Rodgers01]

Just had my interview in Philly today -- was anyone else there? My experience was very much like Marley's, right down to the information in the spoiler box.

I think I did okay, though -- this is embarrassing -- the pants I wore were feeling waaaay too tight around the waist, to the point that I could barely think. Normally they're a bit snug, but they're nice pants and I thought it would be okay. But man -- maybe that huge cheesesteak I had before going to the audition did something to my stomach, because I was anything but comfortable. Let that be a lesson to all you who still have your audition -- make sure you were loose, comfortable clothes!!!

Every single person in my group was white, and the great majority were middle aged, professional men (lots of lawyers). If you don't fit in that group it might be a leg-up. There were only four "young" people there, including myself.

Another tip -- think of something interesting to say that you'd spend your money on...something BESIDES travel. I think every single person today said that they'd spend their money on travel. If you can think of something different (that isn't something boring like college loans or mortgages), you'll definitely stand out.

[Marley23]

Another tip -- think of something interesting to say that you'd spend your money on...something BESIDES travel. I think every single person today said that they'd spend their money on travel. If you can think of something different (that isn't something boring like college loans or mortgages), you'll definitely stand out.
Yeah, same thing happened at our audition. I said college loans, taking time off to write a novel, AND travel - but I was one of only a few people who mentioned a specific place to travel to. I said I needed to go north and see Aurora Borealis.

[Walloon]

To summarize some tips that can separate you from the rest of the herd of qualifying Jeopardy! test-takers:

1. Work on polishing five interesting or funny stories about yourself (watch the contestant interviews on the show for examples).

2. Crack jokes during the trial run with the buzzers. They love humor.

3. When asked what you will do with your money if you win, say something specific and unusual, other than just pay bill/loans/mortgage or the vague "travel".

[Rodgers01]

Yeah, same thing happened at our audition. I said college loans, taking time off to write a novel, AND travel - but I was one of only a few people who mentioned a specific place to travel to. I said I needed to go north and see Aurora Borealis.

Hey, Aurora Borealis sounds good -- definitely not what most people said. I said I wanted to take a trip around Poland because I'd had some Polish roommates who'd gotten me interested in the country. That at least was a bit different because most people wanted to travel to warm places -- the Carribbean, Italy, Greece -- and lie on the beach.

[DrFidelius]

I had mentioned that since I have two teenaged daughters, and college is coming up fast for them, anything left over after the convertible and the new boat is going right in to their tuitions...

[Number]

I'm trying out in Chicago in two weeks.

The five interesting things are giving me some trouble. I know what I'll say I'd spend the money on (entering a major poker tournament), but can that be one of the five things or should it be separate?

[Marley23]

I'd make it separate. They'll definitely ask about what you would do with the money, so you might as well come up with a fifth thing.

[Antonius Block]

My audition is due to take place in San Francisco six hours from now. The online test seems so long ago.

I was awakened 40 minutes ago by an earthquake (apparently a 4.7); hope that's not a bad omen.

Thanks to the advice of Dopers upthread, I've got my "Contestant Information Sheet" ready, complete with:

Five Fascinating Facts about me. In the end, it seems like "B-list" material -- the real high and low points of my life thus far aren't family-friendly enough to fit the Jeopardy! template.
Unique variation on the "spend the winnings on travel" theme.
Gratuitous SDMB shout-out.
Any other Dopers going to the Palace Hotel in SF today?

[Unfortunately, I'm virtually immobile from sciatic pain -- I can't currently feel my feet, or visualize even leaving the house this morning, let alone taking the train to SF and hobbling around using a cane, which will be necessary. At exactly the time that I should be charming them with my rapier wit and debonair demeanor, I'll be in a Vicodin haze -- but wishing it were morphine. Oy. Apologies for the MPSIMS-style addition to this CS thread.]

[Sean Factotum]

Good luck, Antonious. I hope the pain lessens as you get up and move around.

[Rodgers01]

I didn't know they were still doing the auditions from the online testers! They must be nearing the end. Best of luck, and definitely let us know how it goes for you.

[fiddlesticks]

Yeah good luck! I would have been there....but the week after the qualification test I got to face the happy choice of accepting a transfer halfway across the country or finding a new job. My situation was so in flux that I didn't feel able to RSVP them when they sent out the invites to the SF auditions. <grumbles>