Middle School Science Quiz: Can You Pass?

BuzzFeed has launched a middle school science quiz, prompting online discussion about basic scientific literacy. The quiz, titled “I’m Not Saying You’re Dumb, But If You Can’t Pass This Middle School Science Quiz…”, tests knowledge across a range of topics typically covered in middle school science curricula.

The quiz’s emergence coincides with broader conversations about educational standards and public understanding of science. Whereas the quiz is presented as a lighthearted challenge, its virality suggests a potential gap in foundational scientific knowledge among adults. A similar BuzzFeed quiz, “Can You Pass This Middle School Science Quiz?” has as well gained traction, indicating sustained interest in self-assessment of scientific understanding.

BuzzFeed’s quizzes often leverage popular culture and self-discovery themes, as evidenced by another recent offering, “These 9 Questions Will Tell You What Cartoon Character You’re Most Like.” However, the science quizzes stand apart by directly assessing cognitive skills related to formal education. The format encourages sharing and comparison of results on social media, amplifying its reach.

The quizzes have also sparked commentary regarding perceptions of intelligence and academic performance. Another BuzzFeed article, “40 Students Who Are Much, Much, Much, Much, Much Dumber Than Anyone You Ever Went To School With,” explores similar themes of academic comparison, though it does not directly relate to scientific knowledge. The juxtaposition of these articles highlights BuzzFeed’s engagement with topics of self-perception and social comparison.

As of today, BuzzFeed has not released data on average quiz scores or demographic breakdowns of participants. The company has not commented on the impetus for creating the science quizzes or plans for future educational content.