Can You Pass These Tests? [Paperback]

Allen D. Bragdon (Compiler)

Product Details

• Paperback: 317 pages
• Publisher: Perennial Library; 1st Perennial Library ed edition (1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060961864
• ISBN-13: 978-0060961862
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,242,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, July 17, 2003

By 

Shawn Kresal (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Can You Pass These Tests? (Paperback)

Although a book of tests sounds unbelievably yawn-worthy, the breadth of exams contained here is impressive. Most notable are the tests for MLB Umpire, California Culinary Chef, and NYPD Detective. Other less thrilling exams are Ballroom Dance Instructor, SAT, Abnormal Psychology Behavior, Copy Editor, New York City Taxi License, Architect, US Citizen, Accountant, Harvard US History Final, Art Dealer, and Colorado Trucker.

Four stars because only a paltry 10 questions are given for several of the best exams. Most are 20-40 questions long. None of the exams comprise all sections of the true exam. Entertainment purposes only; not a study aid for over-achievers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, February 22, 2005

By 

Milo and Otis fan "Patrick" (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can You Pass These Tests (Paperback)

Although most of the tests in this book are not complete versions, the majority have a few dozen multiple- choice questions. The answers follow the tests, and many have explanations of several sentences or more. Especially entertaining is the test for a New York City cab driver.
Here is a sample question:

"A baker hails your taxi on the East side, puts a tray of donuts in your taxi, and asks you to take them across town. You should...
A. take the donuts across town
B. eat the donuts
C. charge double the amount on the meter
D. tell the baker he must ride with the donuts."
-"Can You Pass These Tests?", page 273
The answer is D.

Hundreds of other questions on many topics are equally or more entertaining. This is a great book for a party, or a rainy day.

4.0 out of 5 stars Can I pass these tests? No way!, February 13, 2010

By 

Jason Kirkfield "The Pride and Sorrow of chil... (Purple Mountains Majesty) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Can you pass these tests? (Paperback)

To be fair, any profession requires specific knowledge. Most of us know things about our day-to-day jobs that we take for granted. Not always important things (like changing copier toner!) but nevertheless, a total stranger would have trouble stepping into our shoes without missing a step or two.

On the flip side, it can be fun to try our own inexperienced hand at *other* careers, at least in a virtual sense. But be warned: I can almost guarantee you will fail every test.

Some are probably harder to enjoy without serious concentration (proofreader, engineer, Harvard), while others are eminently fun even if you have only a few minutes (baseball umpire, taxi driver).

Some sample questions and answers:


==PILOT==

QUESTION:
What action should be taken if a glider and an airplane approach each other at the same altitude and on a head-on collision course?
(A) The airplane should give way because the glider has the right of way
(B) The airplane should give way because it is more maneuverable
(C) Both should give way to the right
(D) The airplane should climb and the glider should descend so as to pass each other by at least 500 feet.

ANSWER: C


==BASEBALL UMPIRE==

QUESTION:
In the top of the first inning, the visiting team jumps off to a six-run lead, when the pitcher is due to bat with a runner on second and one out. The manager feels that he wants to save his starting pitcher for another game, since he already has a comfortable lead, so he decides to pinch-hit for his pitcher. Is this legal? Why?

ANSWER: No. The starting pitcher must pitch to one complete batter.


==NEW YORK CITY TAXI DRIVER==

QUESTION:
A driver is taking a passenger to Nassau County. Which of the following is true?

(A) The driver and passenger must settle on a price before starting the trip
(B) The passenger is required to pay double
(C) The passenger is required to pay the fare showing on the meter when the taxi reaches the City line and double the fare after
(D) The passenger is required to pay what is on the meter at the end of the trip

ANSWER: C


==U.S. CITIZEN==

QUESTION:
Only one U.S. President has even been impeached. Who was he?

ANSWER: Andrew Johnson. However, he was later acquitted.



This is a Barnes & Noble reprint of an earlier (1987) release. Usually B&N books are cheaply made, however that is not a deal breaker here, as most standardized testing workbooks are of a similar quality. The reproduction of certain tests (S.A.T. Math, for example) offers subpar resolution.

On the plus side, an appendix includes the names of the actual tests and the organizations which administer them. This is a fun, inexpensive book that does not pretend to be anything else.