2009 U.S. Constitution Survey Results

Download the 2009 Constitution Day Survey Results  

54,565 people took an online constitution poll at www.constitutionfacts.com from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. The ten-question "Constitution IQ" quiz was targeted to an eighth grade level. Upon completion of the quiz, participants were asked to enter demographic data prior to receiving their score. Quiz takers then had a chance to further test their Constitution knowledge by taking a more extensive 50-question quiz.

Participants skewed slightly more female (56.5%) than male (43.5%) this year with an average age of 28. The national average dropped only slightly from 7.305 questions correct (out of 10) in 2008 to 7.299 correct in 2009, showing consistent quiz results year-over-year. Also, as we've seen in prior years, there was approximately a one point difference in test scores based on age. Participants 17 and under scored an average of 6.92 in 2009, while the 51 and over demographic scored an average of 7.93. 77% of Americans recalled that the Articles of Confederation was our first Constitution and 81% knew that laws were made by Congress. History teachers might be pleased to know that two-thirds of participants recalled that John Adams was the first Vice President of the United States under the Constitution. Even more remembered that the Bill of Rights comprised the first ten amendments. However, only 40% knew that the longest term for President is ten years (up 2% from 2008).

While the national average dipped only slightly for 2009, knowledge of when to "plead the Fifth" has dropped nearly 17% since 2007, and who takes over if the President or Vice President are not able to serve has dropped nearly 12%. Scores for the other questions on the constitution poll have remained relatively consistent over the past three years. July 2009

The states with the highest percentage of perfect scores (10 out of 10) includes a nearly all new line-up for 2009 with only D.C. and Hawaii returning from 2008, and both at lower positions. Overall, states fared worse this year with the highest number of perfect scores dropping more than ten percentage points on the constitution survey. The top scorer in 2009 was Maine at 22.65% versus Alaska at 36.18% in 2008. Virginia quiz takers scored the highest in the nation - averaging 7.857 - displacing California from the number-one spot last year. The state showing the most improvement over 2008 was Illinois, climbing from a 6.755 average score to 7.495, surpassing the national average of 7.299 and placing 7th in the country.

The top two regions swapped places in 2009, with New England taking back the top spot with an average score of 7.43, followed by the South Atlantic region with a score of 7.38. Beyond that, the rest of the regions scattered their positions. This year sees only three regions - down from five last year - scoring above the national average.

Upon completion of the 10 question quiz, participants were given the opportunity to take a more advanced 50-question quiz. Nearly 65 percent (35,358 users) stepped up to the challenge.

The overall average dropped to 33.64 this year (out of 50), down from 34.23 last year. For the vast majority, correct answers dipped only slightly.

Download the 2009 Constitution Day Survey Results  

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