The test below was used to audition around 1,000 contestants during the middle part of 1999.
Have a go at it and see how you fare. Please use 30 seconds only for each round – and note that when adding up your scores – 9-letter-words count as 9 points and conundrums do not score anything.
Rounds 1-10 are letters and numbers, Rounds 11-13 are conundrums. If you manage to do quite well with this, then take the plunge and apply for the real thing. You could be our next star in the making.
Round 1 ACEFLONRY
Round 2 STEUPEALC
Round 3 OOTHPASTE
Round 4 100 7 6 7 6 4 (target 248)
Round 5 CNOCATOUP
Round 6 ADDEGINOS
Round 7 EHIOPSURV
Round 8 CEEEGINRT
Round 9 25 50 75 3 4 7 (target 838)
Round 10 100 3 2 2 1 4 (target 942)
Round 11 FINERBODY
Round 12 LACEDCONE
Round 13 TALLWAFER