So you've seen every James Bond movie ever made, even the one starring George Lazenby, and at some point you've said to yourself, hey, I could do that.
Now, Britain's Secret Intelligence Service – often still referred to by its outdated name, MI6 – has devised a snap test to see if you've got what it takes to be a spy and encourage you to apply if you do.
The eight-question quiz must be completed in two minutes or less and is based on how well you can lie about the details to the following cover story:
"You're stationed in Transeuratania. You're a vegetarian and the food isn't especially good in Metropoligrad – unlike the coffee, which costs less than a Shilling for a pot at the best hotel. Your name is Stephanie Johnson. You were born on 14th December 1974 in Skegness. At A Level, you gained an A in Geography, an A in French and a B in Economics. You have two sisters and a brother. You studied Geology at university and now work as a Management Consultant for a company called British Coal Associates."
Among the information you'll be grilled on:
What is your name?
A: Joan Stephenson. B: Stephanie Johnston. C: Stephanie Johnson.
What were your grades at A Level?
A: ABB. B: CAB. C: AAB.
What company are you working for?
A: CBA. B: ABC. C: BCA
You have two minutes or less to answer.
If you score at least seven out of eight on the test, "You might (and it is only a might at this stage) have some of the skills we need. Maybe you'd like to apply."
The SIS site has a number of job categories, including what are known to the service as Case Officers and to the rest of us as spies.
"These officers plan and carry out covert intelligence operations overseas ... Case Officers are responsible for recruiting and running agents, and must demonstrate highly developed interpersonal skills. They will normally spend about one-third of their career overseas."
The SIS is currently being investigated by the U.K.'s Metropolitan Police over an unspecified case involving alleged complicity in torture.
You can take the test here:
http://www.sis.gov.uk/output/self-selection-tool.html.
http://www.sis.gov.uk/output/self-selection-tool.html