Got to noodling on this tonite. Was reading a couple of the threads about gear. I clearly understand that a lot of the posters on this forum are experienced and knowledgeable beyond anything I will ever achieve. I on the other hand be your average joe. Some interest over the years in survival topics, some camping experience, heck I even watch TV shows on survival . I have some appropriate gear but not much. Some money for it, but not much.

So let me get to the point. Taking a scenario of urban survival, what 25 questions would you nominate to test an individual's knowledge on said topic? Would you prefer a yes/no, true/false, or essay type format? My own thoughts are that a test should reflect the time critical nature of survival situations. In other words the test should be rapid fire. Not too much "thinking" allowed. Fast, instinctive, reactive responses. Bing bam boom. 2 minutes or 5 minutes, it's all done. The real world situation isn't going to allow for "higher level thought processes". Gut reaction is good. Right? The test would be a way of reinforcing good concepts along with it being a learning experience. So taking the urban scenario what are your test questions? Here are a couple of mine:

1. Your at work. Where are your food sources, water sources, and shelter?
2. Describe 3 sources of fuel for fire in your automobile?
3. From your child's school, how many routes can you take to get to a more (chose one - rural environment/urban environment)?
4. Name 5 commonly agreed upon survival items to keep in the house?
5. Name 3 ways to communicate your location to rescue personnel in aircraft?

Thought provoking questions require thoughtful answers. Rapid fire, instinctive, reactive responses may be appropriate for a hands on skills test, but might not be appropriate for the book exam. Were you planning to have a hands on skill test? My last took an hour in a swimming pool.

I don't think rapid-fire regurgitative answers are what you want to test for. Each survival situation will be different and will require you to analyse, think, adapt, and come up with a plan. The ability to instantly spit out sound bites from some book learning experience you had doesn't count for much IMHO.

Good point. Yup there are book tests and hands on tests. Let me clarify a bit. I was intending to establish a baseline of knowledge with a book test. Yes "how to build a fire" could be tested with a hands on demonstration. Need a place, resources, and time. Not to say also a "teacher or monitor". I am thinking something someone could spend a bit of time taking, maybe even just printing off from this forum and end up realizing "hey I have a good bit of knowledge, or heck I'm gonna die" at the end. If I was gonna take several survival classes and spend hundreds of dollars on training I would skip this idea. So keep it simple would be my guiding principle. A range of low level questions (who, what, where, when)and some higher level ones would be ok also (analysis, why, best approach). From my old teaching days here is a good order of questions for testing...

"http://instructionaldesign.gordoncomputer.com/Objectives.html"

I suggest more of a multiple guess format based on a presented scenario. A, B, C, D, and E - all of the above (or not).

For example,

You are in your office and an earthquake hits. What is the first thing you would do?

A. Dive under a desk and hang on.
B. Call 911.
C. Run outside.
D. Start praying.

Fast and to the point. Anyone can either take their time or do the instinctive response. It will be up to them.

Its hard to say really

Who are you giving this test? By which criteria would you assign a score?

I guess I would start with questions that involve the most likely encountered urban emergencies.

# 1, Could you lead yourself and your loved ones safely from your home if blindfolded?

# 2, What would you do if an intruder entered your house?

# 3, If you are away from your home and diaster strikes, separating you from your supplies, what do you do now ?

# 4, How many days could you live off of the food and water you now have in your home?

# 5, How could you collect, store and make water safe to drink if the power went out for an extended period?

Thats just a few off the top of my head, If I ever felt the need to be quizing someone anyway. I guess I would ask questions that require a mix of detailed
and strait forward responses.

Ouuoooo let me try this one.

C, B and the D in that order !

Only one answer per customer.

Personally, I prefer not being there as the right answer.

Not being there was not among the available answers.

Just thinking outside the box.