Parents' Guide to

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Kids know more than grown-ups in clever game show.

TV CMT, Fox Game Shows 2007
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?: Scene #1
  • Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?: Scene #2
  • Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?: Scene #3

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 7 parent reviews

TrevorsHeartburn
TrevorsHeartburn Adult
October 16, 2015
age 18+

I Suggest One Watches the Uncensored Version

B)
stephen melinger
stephen melinger Adult
May 25, 2015
age 4+

Questions are not Fifth Grade Level

This is an entertaining trivia show. The questions do not reflect what is taught in fifth grade. The point of the show is to make adults look silly and ignorant compared to the kids. This is not a new idea as situation comedies have always exploited this concept. Again it is a fun show.

This title has:

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See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Family-friendly game show ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? pits adults against standard elementary school textbooks. Each adult contestant faces a class of real fifth graders (the kids ham it up for the camera) and chooses one to be his or her "classmate" for up to two questions. The chosen student then stands at a podium next to the contestant and can be called on for help if needed. If contestants need help, they can use one of two "cheats." A \"peek\" allows the adult to look at the student's answer and choose whether or not to use it. A "copy" lets the contestant use the kid's answer without viewing it first. Contestants can also use the "save" option -- which lets them get out of an incorrect answer if their student helper gets the answer correct -- once per game.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (14):

The show has a unique concept, though a pretty standard format. Overall Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is pleasant and innocuous, though it may move too slowly for some teens and adults.

There's a lot of focus on smarts and learning, but ultimately, it's a game that can win a player lots of cash. Nonetheless, viewers who like this sort of thing will enjoy answering questions along with the contestants, and younger viewers might get a kick out of knowing more than their parents for a change.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why it's hard for grown-ups to answer seemingly simple questions. Kids, how well did you do on the questions? Grown ups, how about you? What do you think this show says about adults' intelligence? Or the type of learning that occurs in grade school?

TV Details

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