"Exam" (2009) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Examiner

Almost every word of Salmon's instructions was very precise. He warned them not to speak to him or the guard, not choose to leave the room for any reason, and not to spoil their paper either purposefully or accidentally. All of those actions would lead to their immediate disqualification. After running through the instructions, he asked, "Any questions?".

Answer: Leaving their seat

Throughout the movie the candidates dissected the instructions again and again to avoid a misstep. For example, the invigilator specified not to speak to him or to the guard, but never said not to speak to each other. He also specified not to leave the room, but never said not to leave their seats.

Answer: Medical

During the course of the film we learn that the world is in the grip of a pandemic virus. Dark, one of the candidates, is already an employee of the company looking to move up in position. She shares with the group her suspicions that the company has found a cure for the virus.

Answer: 80 minutes

The bulk of the film takes place in the single exam room, with the bright red numbers on the clock mercilessly counting down. The claustrophobic setting and the feeling of time running out are the perfect combination to create a suspenseful atmosphere.

Answer: Armed guard

The guard remained silent throughout the film. Receiving instructions through an earpiece, he removed candidates as they were disqualified. We also learn later in the film that his gun was loaded with 'magic bullets', which contained a cure for the virus.

Answer: Candidate

Each piece of paper had the word "Candidate" followed by that candidate's number. The rest of the front and the back of sheet appeared blank. This left the applicants wondering what question it was they were to answer.

Answer: The Chinese woman

Played by Gemma Chan, the Chinese woman was eliminated within a minute of the start of the exam. She had begun to write an essay on why she felt she deserved the job, and was immediately disqualified. Viewers are left to decide whether it was because she 'spoiled her paper' or answered incorrectly.

Answer: Deaf

White nicknamed him Deaf because Deaf hadn't spoken by that point. We later learn that Deaf was, in actuality, the Founder and CEO of the company posing as a candidate. Before disqualifying himself, he left the candidates with a clue to solving the problem but didn't reveal his true identity to them.

Answer: White tricked her into burning her paper

The candidates had been using the Chinese woman's exam paper to test their theories so they wouldn't spoil their own. When Brunette tried to set off the sprinkler system while chasing down another theory, White handed Brunette her own exam paper to burn. Brunette assumed it was the Chinese woman's, and burned it not realizing it was her own exam paper. She was immediately eliminated.

Answer: "Any questions?"

They were meant to answer the first, and only, question they were asked. After the invigilator gave them their instructions, he asked "Any questions?". Following a brief silence, he wished them luck and left the room.

The whole purpose of the 'exam' was to find someone to administer the distribution of their new virus cure. They couldn't make it fast enough for everyone infected, so tough, yet compassionate, decisions would need to be made. They hoped the unusual exam would help them find the right person.