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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed

Adulting Quiz: Check Your Real-World Common Sense

Quick, fun adult life skills test. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ksenia LangeUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration of adulting quiz title with checklist light bulb clock glasses plant on coral background

This adulting quiz helps you check your everyday know-how, from budgets and bills to cleaning, appointments, and quick fixes. You will spot strengths and simple areas to improve with clear, instant feedback. Want more practice? Try our adult life skills quiz, take a quick common sense test, or see how you do on a street smart test.

What is the recommended maximum percentage of your monthly income to spend on rent?
50%
30%
25%
40%
Financial experts often advise spending no more than 30% of your income on rent to maintain a balanced budget and have room for other expenses. Staying within this range helps prevent financial strain and allows for savings. This guideline is commonly used by renters and landlords alike.
When washing laundry, which items should you wash separately to prevent dye transfer?
Whites
Pastels
Denim
Greys
White clothing should be washed separately to prevent colored fabrics from bleeding onto them and causing discoloration. Sorting by color helps maintain garment appearance and fabric longevity. Mixing whites with colors can lead to staining.
What is a simple strategy to avoid overspending when grocery shopping?
Buying items on sale only
Shopping multiple stores at once
Making a shopping list before you go
Waiting until you're hungry
Creating a shopping list helps you stick to the items you need, preventing impulse buys that can inflate your grocery bill. Planning meals and writing down ingredients can further optimize spending. This approach is recommended by budgeting experts for cost control.
What does APR stand for on a credit card statement?
Annual Percentage Rate
Applied Premium Rate
Average Payment Required
Annual Price Ratio
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate and represents the annual cost of borrowing on your credit card, including interest and fees. It helps consumers compare the cost of credit across different cards. A lower APR means borrowing costs less over time.
What is the typical daily water intake recommendation for most adults?
About 1 liter
About 2 liters
About 0.5 liters
About 4 liters
Health experts commonly recommend around 2 liters (approximately 8 cups) of water per day for average adults, though individual needs can vary based on activity level and climate. Staying hydrated supports bodily functions and overall health.
Which household appliance uses refrigerant to keep food cold?
Toaster
Microwave oven
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Refrigerators use a refrigerant cycle to remove heat from the interior, keeping food and beverages cold. Other kitchen appliances like microwaves and toasters do not use refrigerants. Efficient refrigerators are key to preserving food safety.
When sending a professional email, which element is most important to include?
An emoji
A subject line
A long story
A hidden attachment
A clear subject line summarizes the purpose of your email and helps recipients prioritize and locate your message later. Omitting it can lead to confusion or the email being overlooked. Professional email etiquette emphasizes clarity and brevity.
Which document helps you track your income and expenses each month?
Credit report
Balance sheet
Invoice
Budget
A budget is a financial plan that outlines expected income against planned expenses, helping you monitor and manage your cash flow. Invoices and credit reports serve different purposes and are not used for monthly personal tracking.
Which type of account is best suited for parking an emergency fund?
High-yield savings account
Certificate of deposit (CD)
Money market account
Checking account
A high-yield savings account offers both liquidity and a higher interest rate compared to regular savings or checking accounts, making it ideal for emergency funds. It allows quick access to cash while earning interest.
If you need to break a lease early, where should you check for penalties or options?
Local news
Neighbors' contracts
Apartment maintenance log
Lease agreement
Your lease agreement outlines terms regarding early termination, including any required notice and potential penalties. Reviewing the actual document ensures you understand contractual obligations.
Which of these is an example of a fixed monthly expense?
Utility bills
Dining out
Car insurance premium
Groceries
A car insurance premium is typically the same amount each month under a fixed-rate policy, making it a fixed expense. Utility bills and groceries can fluctuate based on usage and consumption.
To maintain a healthy credit score, it's recommended to keep your credit utilization below what percentage?
50%
10%
70%
30%
Credit experts recommend keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30% of your available credit to show lenders you're responsible with credit usage. Lower utilization can positively impact your score.
What information does a W-2 form provide to an employee?
Retirement account details
Credit score
Medical benefits summary
Wages earned and taxes withheld
Form W-2 reports an employee's annual wages and the taxes withheld by the employer, which are necessary for filing federal and state tax returns.
Which lighting option is considered most energy-efficient for home use?
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs
Incandescent bulbs
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL)
Halogen bulbs
LED bulbs use significantly less energy and last much longer than incandescent, halogen, or CFL options. They are the most cost-effective choice over time.
Which maintenance task should you perform monthly to keep your car running smoothly?
Replace air filter
Oil change
Check fluid levels
Tire rotation
Checking oil, coolant, brake, and transmission fluid levels monthly helps identify leaks or low levels before they cause damage, ensuring smooth vehicle operation.
When preparing to negotiate a job salary, what should you research first?
Stock price fluctuations
Company's office layout
Colleagues' personal finances
Market salary range for the role
Knowing the market salary range for the position in your region gives you a factual basis for negotiations and helps set realistic expectations.
What is the typical deadline for filing U.S. federal income tax returns without an extension?
April 15
June 30
March 15
October 15
The standard deadline for filing U.S. federal income tax returns is April 15 each year, unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday. Extensions can be filed for additional time.
Which investment type historically offers the highest long-term returns?
Savings accounts
U.S. Treasury bonds
Money market funds
Individual stocks
Over the long term, individual stocks have historically outperformed other conservative investments like bonds and savings accounts, though they carry higher risk.
In a 30-year mortgage amortization schedule, early payments apply mostly to which component?
Interest charges
Principal balance
Homeowners insurance
Property taxes
In an amortizing mortgage, early payments primarily cover interest charges due to the larger outstanding balance, while principal reduction accelerates later in the schedule.
What does refinancing a loan typically aim to achieve?
Lower the interest rate
Increase monthly payments
Extend the loan term
Reduce credit score
Refinancing a loan usually involves replacing it with a new loan at a lower interest rate or more favorable terms, which can reduce monthly payments or overall interest costs.
Which type of insurance covers your personal belongings in a rented apartment?
Liability insurance
Auto insurance
Homeowners insurance
Renters insurance
Renters insurance protects your personal belongings and may include liability coverage for your apartment, whereas homeowners insurance covers the structure itself.
What is the primary purpose of a credit score?
Measure creditworthiness
Track bank account balances
Calculate tax liability
Determine insurance rates
A credit score is a numerical representation of your credit history and reliability, used by lenders to assess the risk of lending to you.
To maintain good indoor air quality, how often should you replace standard HVAC filters?
Every month
Every six months
Only when dirty
Once a year
Replacing or cleaning HVAC filters every month helps capture dust and allergens, ensuring efficient system performance and better indoor air quality.
In a Roth IRA, contributions are made ______ and qualified distributions are taken ______.
Pre-tax; taxable
Pre-tax; tax-free
Post-tax; tax-free
Post-tax; taxable
Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, and qualified distributions, including earnings, are tax-free under IRS rules. This structure differs from traditional IRAs.
When calculating your net worth, you subtract ______ from ______.
Expenses from income
Assets from liabilities
Liabilities from assets
Income from expenses
Net worth is calculated by subtracting total liabilities (what you owe) from total assets (what you own). It provides a snapshot of overall financial health.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Evaluate Your Financial Savvy -

    Understand and apply budgeting principles tested in the adulting quiz, from tracking expenses to creating a simple savings plan.

  2. Analyze Real-World Social Scenarios -

    Use the common sense quiz elements to navigate etiquette challenges and everyday interpersonal situations with confidence.

  3. Apply Practical DIY and Home Skills -

    Master basic household fixes and maintenance tasks introduced in this adult life skills quiz for more self-reliance around the house.

  4. Identify Strengths and Areas for Improvement -

    Pinpoint which daily adulting tasks you excel at and where to focus further learning with insights from the adult knowledge test.

  5. Strengthen Problem-Solving Under Pressure -

    Develop quick-thinking strategies and emergency readiness skills through scenario-based questions in the adulting quiz online.

  6. Enhance Overall Everyday Smarts -

    Integrate quiz feedback to boost your common sense and life know-how for smoother day-to-day decision-making.

Cheat Sheet

  1. 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule -

    Mastering personal finance starts with the 50/30/20 rule: allocate 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings or debt repayment (source: U.S. Senate Budget Committee). For example, on a $3,000 monthly take-home pay, you'd spend $1,500 on essentials, $900 on discretionary items, and save $600 each month. Use the mnemonic "Needs-Wants-Nest Egg" to recall your priorities.

  2. Eisenhower Time Matrix -

    The Eisenhower Matrix, popularized by UC Berkeley researchers, helps you sort tasks into urgent/important quadrants to boost productivity. Quadrant I tackles crises, Quadrant II focuses on planning, Quadrant III delegates less critical tasks, and Quadrant IV eliminates time-wasters. Remember the phrase "Do, Decide, Delegate, Delete" to guide daily scheduling.

  3. Basic DIY Home Maintenance -

    Routine home fixes like unclogging a drain or patching drywall can save hundreds; Purdue Extension recommends keeping a tool kit with a plunger, multi-bit screwdriver, and spackling compound. Always turn off power before tackling electrical switches and follow step-by-step guides from trusted sources like Home Depot's DIY tutorials. Use the "Look, Listen, Locate" approach: inspect problems, heed warning signs, and pinpoint repair steps.

  4. Effective Communication Skills -

    Assertive communication boosts adulting confidence by balancing honesty with respect, as outlined by Harvard Business Review. Practice active listening - repeat key points back to the speaker - and use "I" statements (e.g., "I feel… when…"). The LARA mnemonic (Listen, Affirm, Respond, Add) can streamline constructive conversations.

  5. Sleep Hygiene & Stress Management -

    The National Institutes of Health recommends 7 - 9 hours of sleep per night to optimize cognitive function and mood. Establish a wind-down routine - dim lights, limit screens, and try the 4-7-8 breathing technique (inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8 seconds) to reduce anxiety before bed. Consistent sleep schedules anchor your circadian rhythm for long-term well-being.

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