DC Jeopardy audition report

[Peter5858]

9 a.m. report (I think Vadame is in the 12:00 group)

I think I counted 20 people. 13 guys, 7 women. Mostly local. Couple from NC. One from Kentucky. Pretty wide age spread. I'm guessing I was among the oldest at 49. Two black guys among the group; the rest pasty white. One of the two guys was a young, musical theater graduate of University of Maryland, who had tried out for American Idol, and even got to sing a little this morning. I figure he's a lock.

Everything went like the typical J! tryout. The only thing that struck me - and I have heard others mention this recently - is that contestant coordinator Maggie specifically said that the most important thing for getting on is the test score(s). It was never represented that way before. Frankly, I am not sure if it is completely as represented, or whether they say this simply to serve as a specific disincentive to sharing questions from the tryout test with others (because it would not be in one's competitive interest to do so). They had always asked us not to reveal these questions. I wonder if they perceive they are having a problem with that issue.

Maggie recognized me (and one other guy) as having tried out before. I'm thinking that's not a good thing. So, anyway, here's to pruning in the pool for the next 18 months.

[slam]

9 a.m. report (I think Vadame is in the 12:00 group)

I think I counted 20 people. 13 guys, 7 women. Mostly local. Couple from NC. One from Kentucky. Pretty wide age spread. I'm guessing I was among the oldest at 49. Two black guys among the group; the rest pasty white. One of the two guys was a young, musical theater graduate of University of Maryland, who had tried out for American Idol, and even got to sing a little this morning. I figure he's a lock.

Everything went like the typical J! tryout. The only thing that struck me - and I have heard others mention this recently - is that contestant coordinator Maggie specifically said that the most important thing for getting on is the test score(s). It was never represented that way before. Frankly, I am not sure if it is completely as represented, or whether they say this simply to serve as a specific disincentive to sharing questions from the tryout test with others (because it would not be in one's competitive interest to do so). They had always asked us not to reveal these questions. I wonder if they perceive they are having a problem with that issue.

Maggie recognized me (and one other guy) as having tried out before. I'm thinking that's not a good thing. So, anyway, here's to pruning in the pool for the next 18 months.

Thanks for sharing this report.

I don't think you should be worried about Maggie's comment. If you look at the situation the right way, of course it's true. If you don't pass the online test, you have no chance of getting on the show. If you bomb the in-person test, they won't let you on either. I very much doubt that they are going through test scores and calling the people with the highest scores.

As to being recognized, I'd take it as a plus rather than a minus. It means you stood out in her mind somehow. Sure, that might be a negative way, but I doubt it.

My understanding is that one's stay in the pool is 24 months, not 18. I know of 2 people who recently appeared on the show who were called 21 and 20 months after auditioning, respectively.

[Peter5858]

My understanding is that one's stay in the pool is 24 months, not 18. I know of 2 people who recently appeared on the show who were called 21 and 20 months after auditioning, respectively.

She obliquely recognized this by saying that to be in the pool for 18 months is effectively to be in the pool for 2 seasons, or words to such effect. Statistically, however, I have to think trevor mcfee's experience of being plucked out of the pool after 20-21 months or so is still highly exceptional.

[slam]

My understanding is that one's stay in the pool is 24 months, not 18. I know of 2 people who recently appeared on the show who were called 21 and 20 months after auditioning, respectively.

She obliquely recognized this by saying that to be in the pool for 18 months is effectively to be in the pool for 2 seasons, or words to such effect. Statistically, however, I have to think trevor mcfee's experience of being plucked out of the pool after 20-21 months or so is still highly exceptional.

I'm sure it is, but there was another poster on the J! board who was called the same day as Trevor after being in the pool only 1 fewer month.

Since I've been wading in the pool since last June, I'm hoping I can be one of those rare cases.

[peacock2121]

Did you point out how you have one ear bigger than the other?

Alex would love talking to you about that.

Good luck - hope your pruning is short-lived.

[Bob78164]

The only thing that struck me - and I have heard others mention this recently - is that contestant coordinator Maggie specifically said that the most important thing for getting on is the test score(s). It was never represented that way before. Frankly, I am not sure if it is completely as represented, or whether they say this simply to serve as a specific disincentive to sharing questions from the tryout test with others (because it would not be in one's competitive interest to do so). They had always asked us not to reveal these questions. I wonder if they perceive they are having a problem with that issue.

That's consistent with my experience. As I was packing after my final game, I wondered aloud to Maggie why they'd picked me as a contestant. She said something to the effect of, "I'll give you a hint -- you did win two games." I understood that to be a reference to my test score (I believe I scored in the low 40s). --Bob

[frogman042]

The only thing that struck me - and I have heard others mention this recently - is that contestant coordinator Maggie specifically said that the most important thing for getting on is the test score(s). It was never represented that way before. Frankly, I am not sure if it is completely as represented, or whether they say this simply to serve as a specific disincentive to sharing questions from the tryout test with others (because it would not be in one's competitive interest to do so). They had always asked us not to reveal these questions. I wonder if they perceive they are having a problem with that issue.

That's consistent with my experience. As I was packing after my final game, I wondered aloud to Maggie why they'd picked me as a contestant. She said something to the effect of, "I'll give you a hint -- you did win two games." I understood that to be a reference to my test score (I believe I scored in the low 40s). --Bob

That's interesting - the two times I tried out prior to the on-line test I knew that they didn't reveal the score to the potential constestents. I had assumed that it was for efficency since, unlike BAM, they had to be manually scored - no electronic scoring, since it was hand-written, fill-in-the-blank answers (and luckily spelling didn't count!). By not giving a final score they could stop scoring if either of the following conditions were met: the person went over the minimum number of incorrect responses - or the person had hit the minimum number of correct responses. In either case they could mark it as failed or passed and move on, saving a good deal of time in the process.

Based on the info Bob provided I guess they would have to fully grade all the 'passed' tests. I wonder if they complete the full grading of the passed tests at the time of the audition or go back later and deterimine their final score? Also, they told us when we got to do the practice game that they didn't care how well you did on answering the questions (questioning the answers?) but that they were just looking for how you handled yourself in playing the game - given this new info - I'm thinking that they might have also paid attention to both how well you did and if your answers were 'good' answers or not, even if incorrect.

---Jay

[slam]

The only thing that struck me - and I have heard others mention this recently - is that contestant coordinator Maggie specifically said that the most important thing for getting on is the test score(s). It was never represented that way before. Frankly, I am not sure if it is completely as represented, or whether they say this simply to serve as a specific disincentive to sharing questions from the tryout test with others (because it would not be in one's competitive interest to do so). They had always asked us not to reveal these questions. I wonder if they perceive they are having a problem with that issue.

That's consistent with my experience. As I was packing after my final game, I wondered aloud to Maggie why they'd picked me as a contestant. She said something to the effect of, "I'll give you a hint -- you did win two games." I understood that to be a reference to my test score (I believe I scored in the low 40s). --Bob

That's interesting - the two times I tried out prior to the on-line test I knew that they didn't reveal the score to the potential constestents. I had assumed that it was for efficency since, unlike BAM, they had to be manually scored - no electronic scoring, since it was hand-written, fill-in-the-blank answers (and luckily spelling didn't count!). By not giving a final score they could stop scoring if either of the following conditions were met: the person went of the minimum number of incorrect responses - or the person had hit the minimum number of correct responses. In either case they could mark it as failed or passed and move on, saving a good deal of time in the process.

Based on the info Bob provided I guess they would have to fully grade all the 'passed' tests. I wonder if they complete the full grading of the passed tests at the time of the audition or go back later and deterimine their final score? Also, they told us when we got to do the practice game that they didn't care how well you did on answering the questions (questioning the answers?) but that they were just looking for how you handled yourself in playing the game - given this new info - I'm thinking that they might have also paid attention to both how well you did and if your answers were 'good' answers or not, even if incorrect.

---Jay

My best guess is that they would quickly eliminate many of the test takers once they had too many wrong or even by eyeballing and seeing too many blank answers. When grading the test of an actual passer, very little extra time is probably required to finish off grading the test after reaching the point that it's clear that test had a passing score. If so, why not just finish then? Remember also that the CC's have graded this same test many, many times. They probably don't have to refer to an answer key other than very occasionally.

What surprised me most about Bob's comment was that a score of low 40's would stand out to Maggie. Sure, I strongly suspect that the mode passing score was the minimum passing score (long assumed to be 35), but I'd have thought that there would be a decent sized group of people scoring in the mid-40s. But maybe I've just been hanging out around the J! board too much.

[Peter5858]

I strongly suspect that the mode passing score was the minimum passing score (long assumed to be 35

Spoken like a true actuary.

Anyway, my long-standing opinion is that they give the second 50-question test almost entirely to make sure they don't have cheaters (i.e., the person who passed the on-line test is not the person who signed up and appears at the actual try-out).

I also highly doubt that the combined score is in fact the major factor in selecting contestants. In fact, they said as much yesterday, noting that they have to take "occupation and geography" into account in having a "variety" of contestants. Unsaid but also obvious is the race/gender mix. They have an all-but-declared policy of wanting half the contestants to be women, right? In addition, it's a game show. They are going to prefer satisfactory-scoring high-energy people to super-high-scoring stiffs. Maybe Bob##### is exactly the kind of contestant where the score matters: white, male, middle-aged lawyer from L.A. If he got a high score and he's relatively fun, then he beats out any other white, male, middle-aged lawyers they might be considering.

[slam]

I strongly suspect that the mode passing score was the minimum passing score (long assumed to be 35

Spoken like a true actuary.

Anyway, my long-standing opinion is that they give the second 50-question test almost entirely to make sure they don't have cheaters (i.e., the person who passed the on-line test is not the person who signed up and appears at the actual try-out).

I also highly doubt that the combined score is in fact the major factor in selecting contestants. In fact, they said as much yesterday, noting that they have to take "occupation and geography" into account in having a "variety" of contestants. Unsaid but also obvious is the race/gender mix. They have an all-but-declared policy of wanting half the contestants to be women, right? In addition, it's a game show. They are going to prefer satisfactory-scoring high-energy people to super-high-scoring stiffs. Maybe Bob##### is exactly the kind of contestant where the score matters: white, male, middle-aged lawyer from L.A. If he got a high score and he's relatively fun, then he beats out any other white, male, middle-aged lawyers they might be considering.

My comments were addressing the audition situation prior to the on-line test when they needed to do some quick grading. I'm sure they don't grade the in-person tests until later when time isn't that crucial. I certainly agree that the primary use of the 2nd test is to weed out cheaters.

As to the actuary comment, well, ya know...

I also agree with your comments about how they choose contestants. They certainly want a "variety" of contestants. And it seems that every week there is a gender balance amongst the contestants. This entire past season, I've never seen it be other then 6-4, 5-5, or 4-6 amongst the new contestants (excluding the returning champ). Maybe they do use test score to pick from theose white, male, middle-age lawyers, but that's the only comment of yours that I'm uncertain about.

[gsn309]

Best of luck Peter!
Maybe they will surprise you this time!

[VAdame]

Thanks for posting, Peter!

Yes, I was in the 11:30 group -- you probably passed me in the hall. Black dress, hair up in a twist, pleasantly plump.....yep, that was me

Lots more women in my group than 2 years ago in Philly -- 7 or 8 as opposed to 3! I remembered Robert from that audition -- not sure about Keith.

I thought the test was pretty easy this time -- I was only unsure of 4 questions that I recall. I came home & looked 'em up & found that I missed 3 (one was The Dreaded Opera Category -- where I had second-guessed myself & scratched out the right answer & put in a wrong one!!!) !@#$%^&* The others were the movie (voice of a very recent cartoon character, NAFC; and the Tony winner -- choice of 2, guessed the wrong one.)

So, overall I'm pretty sure I got 47 of 50

I felt a little off my mock game, however. I thought I did much better in Philly -- but really, it's hard to judge while you're in the middle of it! My buzzer skillz weren't up to my best though, & I missed one answer -- but hey, at least I had a good guess!

My interview was OK though -- talked about the veterans, talked about the upcoming wedding (and the burglary -- lots of stress there!), & talked about collections. Not only my snowglobes, but I managed to work Rosemary's armadillo collection in! Ro has hundreds, probably thousands of Dillos & makes Larissa Kelly look like a piker. Ha! We scoff at Larissa's "10 armadillos & a glyptodon"! (Ro also has a glyptodon or 2...)

It really is too bad Rosemary hasn't been able to do the online test -- has been out of the country or otherwise unavailable during each one! Really, when I was trying to think of "5 interesting things about myself" I wished I could have used some of her stories -- she is much more interesting than I am

Peter, when you were leaving, if you noticed a woman in the lobby who looks a lot like me, wearing a Maillot Jaune (the yellow jersey from the Tour de France!), that was her.

Anyhoo.....I don't think it was my best performance, but probably not my worst either (that would be my slow-fingered appearance in the ROF 8 years ago!) I was very tired & very stressed, & did the best I could at the time. Will just have to splash around here in the Pool & see if I get picked!

[Peter5858]

Sorry, Vadame, I wouldn't have seen you. I exited the room and headed for the stairs on the right. The line for your group formed to my left. My wife also correctly points out regularly that I am the most oblivious person on the planet; so I have no recollecton of any yellow jersey in the lobby. Sorry. Thanks for posting.


Judging from your description of the questions, our group had a different test. That's not a surpise. I, too, am pretty sure I scored mid-40s out of 50. Good luck.

[silvercamaro]

Good luck to both of you, Peter and Mary! We've got a good group for the pool party.

[VAdame]

Sorry, Vadame, I wouldn't have seen you. I exited the room and headed for the stairs on the right. The line for your group formed to my left. My wife also correctly points out regularly that I am the most oblivious person on the planet; so I have no recollecton of any yellow jersey in the lobby. Sorry. Thanks for posting.


Judging from your description of the questions, our group had a different test. That's not a surpise. I, too, am pretty sure I scored mid-40s out of 50. Good luck.

Oh well -- I was at the head of the line & standing right by the door when you guys came out! They gave the impression that they were using the same test for all the groups, but who knows? They did admonish us not to discuss test w/ the 3PM group! One of my fellow auditioners had a son in the earlier group, and there was also a married couple in my group (they did not play against each other.)