Are you smarter than an 11th grader?

Do you have what it takes to outsmart a teenager — especially your own? Now’s your chance to find out! The IIE’s Varsity College National High School Quiz (NHSQ) is back, giving the country’s brightest Grade 11’s a shot at winning their share of R100,000 in cash and prizes. 

The quiz challenges students on a wide range of topics, including geography, history, science and nature, sport, entertainment and current affairs. Participants will need to know everything from world capitals and key historical events to physics, chemistry, politics, economics and technological advancements.

Parents, challenge your kids around the dinner table. Teachers, rally your top learners. Whether you're quizzing your child in the car on the way to school or putting your general knowledge to the test in the staffroom, the NHSQ is the perfect excuse to spark curious conversations and even discover new facts.

But first, let’s put your knowledge to the test:

Q1: Which country is both an island and a continent?

A) Greenland
B) Australia
C) Madagascar
D) Antarctica

Q2: In which sport would you perform a "flamingo shot"?

A) Badminton
B) Tennis
C) Golf
D) Squash

Q3: In which city are the headquarters for Kia Motors?

A) Johannesburg
B) Berlin
C) Seoul
D) Moscow

(Find the answer below – no Googling!)

More than a high school quiz

Sure, the bragging rights are nice – but for students, this quiz is about more than flexing facts. Learners taking part in the quiz have the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, sharpen problem-solving skills and learn to learn. And as the world (and job market) gets more complex, those skills are what really set future leaders apart.

Varsity College an educational brand of the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) created the NHSQ to give learners a platform to shine, stretch their minds and represent their schools in an unforgettable academic showdown.

How it works

Only Grade 11 learners can enter this academic competition — and only if their teacher selects them, and each school can nominate four top-performing learners. The competition is digital, run on the Kahoot App, and kicks off on 13 August 2025 across all eight IIE Varsity College campuses.

Here’s what’s at stake:

• R10,000 for each winning learner
• R50,000 for the winning school
• R6,000 for the winning teacher

Entries are 100% free to enter and close on 31 July 2025 — so teachers, now’s the time to get your top four Grade 11’s ready.

How to enter

Teachers can register their school’s team here: www.varsitycollege.co.za/national-high-schools-quiz. 

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Let the smartest showdown begin!