If you think you are smarter than the average person and are looking to put your knowledge to the test on national television, competing for cash on the popular game show Jeopardy! may be for you. If you want the chance to show the world your intelligence, read on to find out how to become a contestant on Jeopardy!
Tips
Make sure you apply for the correct age group, adult, teen, kids or college
Perform your best on the qualification test
Prepare for further testing at the auditions
Be patient; contestants may be asked to appear on the show up to 18 months after they apply and audition
Be On Other Game Shows
Expect to be Challenged
Even the most intelligent people can struggle on Jeopardy! as CNN's Wolf Blitzer experiences in this clip. Blitzer, a renowned news anchor, finished Celebrity Jeopardy! with negative $4,600, losing to actress Dana Delaney and comedian Andy Richter. While you may think you have the smarts to compete live on the program, it's nearly impossible to know which topics you will be presented with and if they will fall in your area of expertise, so prepare to be challenged.
Introduction
While many people think they have the smarts to compete on Jeopardy!, the producers want prospective contestants to show what they know before appearing on the show. To narrow down the crowd, they require all interested contestants to take a qualification test either in person or online. Those who pass the test are invited for further testing and interviews in person.
Step 1: Know the Requirements
Having a wealth of knowledge and being able to answer in question format is one big necessity for prospective contestants, but there are also a few other qualifications those interested must meet to be considered for the show.
- You must be 18 years or older to appear on the adult and college versions of the show; teens must be ages 13 to 17, kids 10 to 12http://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- If you have appeared on the program in the past, you are not eligible to appear againhttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- You may not have appeared on any reality or game shows within the past year or three shows within the past 10 yearshttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- You may not compete if you or your immediate family members have worked for Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Sony Pictures Television Inc., Quadra Productions, Inc., CBS Television Distribution, Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy! prize suppliers or other affiliated companies within the past five yearshttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
Step 2: Take the Test
To get a better idea of your knowledge, producers require all prospective contestants to pass a test before they will be considered for the show. The test can be taken in person or online.
- Separate tests are conducted for each age group, including adult, teen, kids and collegehttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- Testing is held in person in Culver City, California, throughout the yearhttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- Testing is also held online during certain times throughout the year
- Online testing dates are announced on the show itself and the official website; e-mail alerts for such announcements are also availablehttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- An online practice test is also availablehttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- Contestants may take the test only once per yearhttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- Test results will not be disclosed, but those who pass will be contacted for auditionshttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
Step 3: Audition In Person
If you pass the preliminary test with flying colors, you may be selected to audition in person. Auditions consist of an interview, a written test and a mock version of the game show itself.
- The written test comes first and consists of 50 clues from 50 different categories in the Jeopardy! formathttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- Contestants who pass the written test will be invited to play in a mock version of the show, three at a time with buzzershttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- Those who perform well in the mock game will be asked to stick around for an interview to allow producers to see the contestants personalitieshttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
- Prospective contestants who perform well in the audition will be placed in the contestant pool and may be invited to appear on the show within 18 monthshttp://www.jeopardy.com/beacontestant/contestantfaqs/
