The Wiz Quiz is a group activity for maintaining the brain fitness and social connection of older adults by posing enjoyable cognitive challenges in an atmosphere of lively sociability. Each session, usually held bi-weekly, lasts about an hour, and can engage as many as 50 participants at a time. Teams take turns responding to questions within a time limit about carefully selected topics in a friendly competition. Most questions include at least two unique clues for recalling answers, which encourages reasoning and attention, and the grouping of participants into teams reduces pressure and increases social connection. Question topics include American and World History, Fine Arts, Medicine and Health, Geography, English Literature, Science, Mathematics, World Literature, Philosophy, Religion, and others

During each team’s turn, they are given 30 seconds to answer their question without interference from the other teams. The extended time limit reduces pressure, and it also focuses participant attention. Within the time limit, team members are encouraged to volunteer any answers that come to mind until they get it right. If the time limit expires, the question is repeated in a multiple-choice format, which routinely leads to a correct response, ending most questions in an upbeat manner. Before the activity begins, each team is issued a tablet and pencil for recording answers when it is not their turn. Sometimes this earns them bonus points, but more importantly, this is another feature that keeps the attention of all participants focused throughout the activity, even when it is not their turn.

Feeling like a Wiz today? Try some Sample Questions