High School Seniors Trivia: Test Your Knowledge

1) In college admissions, which option is binding if you’re accepted?

Early Action

Not quite. Early Action is non-binding; you can compare offers before committing.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision is non-binding and follows the standard timeline.

Early Decision

Correct — Early Decision is binding; if admitted, you’re expected to enroll and withdraw other applications.

Rolling Admission

Rolling Admission is also non-binding and reviewed as applications arrive.

2) Which form of federal aid accrues interest while you’re in school?

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

For subsidized loans, the government covers in-school interest if you qualify.

Pell Grant

Grants don’t accrue interest and generally don’t require repayment.

Federal Work-Study

Work-Study is a job program, not a loan—there’s no interest.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Correct — interest starts accruing immediately on unsubsidized loans, even while you’re enrolled.

3) Which U.S. constitutional amendment protects freedom of speech?

First Amendment

Correct — the First Amendment protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Fourth Amendment

The Fourth covers unreasonable searches and seizures, not speech.

Tenth Amendment

The Tenth reserves powers to the states and the people.

Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth addresses citizenship, due process, and equal protection.

4) In a typical college, which office evaluates AP/IB or dual-enrollment credit?

Registrar’s Office

Correct — the Registrar usually handles transfer and exam credit evaluation and posts it to your record.

Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid handles financing, not academic credit evaluation.

Admissions Office

Admissions may advise, but final evaluation typically sits with the Registrar.

Bursar

The Bursar manages billing and payments, not credits.

5) Which savings option yields more after one year on the same principal?

Compare: 3.00% simple interest (annual) vs. 2.90% interest compounded monthly.

2.90% compounded monthly

Close, but just under 3.00% after a single year. Compounding shines more over longer periods.

They’re exactly equal

Not quite. The monthly compounding here doesn’t fully catch the higher simple rate in one year.

3.00% simple interest

Correct — after one year, 3.00% simple slightly beats ~2.94% from 2.90% compounded monthly. (Time horizon matters.)

It’s impossible to tell

You can compare mathematically — they’re close, but 3.00% wins over one year.

6) Which sentence is punctuated most correctly for formal writing?

However I finished the essay early.

“However” needs a comma when used as an introductory transition: “However, I finished…”

I finished the essay early, therefore I could proofread.

That’s a comma splice. Use a semicolon (or make two sentences).

I finished the essay early therefore, I could proofread.

The comma is misplaced. See the correct version for the right pattern.

I finished the essay early; therefore, I could proofread.

Correct — the semicolon before “therefore” and comma after it are standard in this construction.

7) Which cell structure is the main site of ATP production in eukaryotes?

Ribosome

Ribosomes synthesize proteins; they aren’t the ATP powerhouse.

Mitochondrion

Correct — mitochondria are the cell’s primary ATP factories via cellular respiration.

Golgi apparatus

The Golgi modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Nucleus

The nucleus stores DNA and manages gene expression, not ATP output.

8) Which study method uses 25-minute focus intervals with short breaks?

Time-blocking

Time-blocking schedules larger chunks on a calendar; it’s not tied to 25-minute cycles.

Pomodoro Technique

Correct — Pomodoro typically uses 25 minutes on, ~5 minutes off, then a longer break after several rounds.

Eisenhower Matrix

That’s a prioritization grid (urgent vs. important), not an interval method.

GTD (Getting Things Done)

GTD is a workflow system; it doesn’t prescribe 25-minute timers.

9) Best email subject line to your counselor about sending transcripts?

Requesting transcript — [Your Name], Class of 2025

Correct — clear, specific, and professional. It helps staff find your file quickly.

Hey

Too vague and informal for school records requests.

Question

Unclear. Add context so it’s easy to triage and respond.

URGENT PLEASE RESPOND

Avoid all-caps and urgency unless it’s truly time-critical (and explain why).

10) Which scholarship statement is accurate?

Only students with perfect GPAs can win scholarships.

Not true. Many awards consider need, service, talents, interests, or essays.

You should never pay to apply for a legitimate scholarship.

Correct — legitimate programs don’t charge application fees. Be cautious with any “guaranteed” offers that ask for money.

You must accept loans to be eligible for scholarships.

Incorrect. Scholarships are separate from loans and don’t require borrowing.

Only seniors can apply for scholarships.

Plenty of scholarships are open to juniors, underclassmen, and even middle schoolers.

VT Daily Trivia: High School Seniors Edition — Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025