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Most Americans Have a Low Constitution I.Q. — Put Yours to the Test

By: Julia | Published: Apr 21, 2024

The United States Constitution is one of the most important foundations of American society. The Constitution is often invoked in politics and on nightly news. However, there’s a lot about this document — and the history that surrounds it — that regular Americans may not be aware of.

Test your own Constitution IQ with this quiz below to see how well you rank.

What was the first Constitution of the United States called?

A) The Declaration of Independence
B) The U.S. Constitution
C) The Articles of Confederation
D) The Federalist Papers

An old painting depicting many American leaders back in the Revolutionary Era.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

The Articles of Confederation

A 1970s stamp commemorating the drafting of the Articles of Confederation.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

How many different constitutions has the U.S. had?

A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four

A mural depicting the signing of the Constitution, with many men standing about.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

Two

A 1930s painting by John H. Froehlich depicting the adoption of the Constitution.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

How long of terms do members of the House of Representatives have?

A) Four years
B) Six years
C) Two years
D) One year

An 1820s painting by Samuel Finley Breese Morse of the House of Representatives.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

Two years

A close-up of the U.S. Capitol building in the daytime.

Source: Ian Hutchinson/Unsplash

What is the longest time a U.S. president can serve?

A) Four years
B) Six years
C) Eight years
D) Ten years

President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

Ten years

President Donald Trump with Melania Trump and Amy Coney Barrett and her family in the Oval Office.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

What did the Articles of Confederation not provide for?

A) Laws
B) The Senate
C) Courts
D) The President

A painting by Henry Hintermeister depicting the signing of the Constitution.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

Courts

The Supreme Court building seen in the daytime.

Source: Joshua Woods/Unsplash

The first 10 Constitutional Amendments are called what?

A) The Declaration of Independence
B) The Federalist Papers
C) The Magna Carta
D) The Bill of Rights

A black and white engraving depicting the Bill of Rights from the 1930s.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

The Bill of Rights

A painting in the U.S. Capitol depicting the Civil Rights bill passing.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

How many main branches does the U.S. government have?

A) 20
B) 13
C) 3
D) 1

The White House seen with a fountain in front of it during sunset.

Source: Suzy Brooks/Unsplash

Answer:

3

A painting by George Munger of the White House after it was burned in 1812.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

How many men signed the Constitution?

A) 13
B) 39
C) 70
D) 55

An 1800s painting by Hamilton Buggy Company of Alexander Hamilton writing the first draft of the Constitution.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

39

A 1700s painting by Gilbert Stuart of George Washington

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

How many amendments did Congress add to the Constitution in 1791?

A) 13
B) 1
C) 10
D) 21

A painting by Robert Edge Pine depicting the voting on the Declaration of Independence.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

10

A painting by Carol M. Highsmith of the U.S. Capitol.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

According to the Constitution, a person can be convicted of treason if…?

A) A jury finds enough probable cause of their crime
B) The person confesses
C) There are at least two witnesses of the treasonous crime
D) Both B and C

An old black and white photograph of Union soldiers in charge of finding treason during the Civil War.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

Both B and C

An interior look at chairs inside the Supreme Court.

Source: Jackie Hope/Unsplash

Who makes the laws for the United States?

A) The President
B) The House
C) The Senate
D) Congress

The U.S. Capitol building seen in the daytime underneath a cloudy blue sky.

Source: Quick PS/Unsplash

Answer:

Congress

The U.S. Capitol building seen in the evening.

Source: Spencer Davis/Unsplash

The Constitution states that a person accused of a crime in court has what right?

A) To change courts
B) To change judges
C) To create the schedule of when he’s tried
D) To hear the witnesses against them

A close-up of an old courthouse’s columns.

Source: Colin Lloyd/Unsplash

Answer:

To hear the witnesses against them

A courtroom set up in Oklahoma.

Source: David Veksler/Unsplash

Who resided as the president of the meeting that was created to change the Articles of Confederation?

A) George Washington
B) Thomas Jefferson
C) Benjamin Franklin
D) James Madison

Mount Rushmore seen during sunset.

Source: Heath Hughes/Unsplash

Answer:

George Washington

An 1800s portrait painting by Gilbert Stuart of George Washington.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

What is the role of Congress in the United States?

A) Make laws
B) Interpret laws
C) Enforce laws
D) Explain the laws

A close-up of the Capitol dome seen in the daytime.

Source: Matthew Bornhorst/Unsplash

Answer:

Make laws

The American flag on a pole seen amid a cloudy sky.

Source: Jp Valery/Unsplash

The first Constitutional Convention met in what city?

A) Washington, D.C.
B) Boston
C) New York
D) Philadelphia

An 1850s painting by Ferdinand Richardt of people and old buildings in Philadelphia.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Answer:

Philadelphia

A painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris of George Washington’s inauguration in Philadelphia.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons