The Ultimate FBI Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
1 min
The Ultimate FBI Quiz
Image: Joe Skipper/Getty Images News/Getty Images

About This Quiz

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the most powerful government agency in the United States, inspires both awe and fear. Test your own sleuthing power with the FBI quiz.
While "FBI" technically stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation, what else do the letters represent?
Fraternity, Bravery and Intelligence
Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity
Faith, Belief and Inspiration
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Along with abbreviating the law agency's official name, "FBI" also stands for its motto: Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity.

What government official has direct authority over the FBI?
attorney general
inspector general
executive assistant director
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the FBI is part of the U.S. Department of Justice, which is headed by the attorney general, it is the job of the inspector general to oversee the organization.

What U.S. president created what's now known as the FBI?
Woodrow Wilson
Theodore Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt directed the attorney general to create a small bureau of detectives to investigate crimes. At that time, the agency was named the Bureau of Investigation. It officially became known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935.

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Which of the following was not one of the reforms FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover initiated during his tenure?
raising the standards for hiring new agents
opening a training academy
closing the crime lab
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After Hoover was appointed director of the FBI in 1924, he reshaped its structure by enacting a number of changes. Among these were the creation of a training academy, the establishment of a most wanted list that featured sought-after fugitives, and the enforcement of stricter standards for hiring new agents.

How did the FBI change after the Sept. 11 attacks?
The FBI altered its top priorities.
The FBI was folded into the Department of Homeland Security.
The FBI temporarily shut down.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the Sept. 11 attacks, the FBI made counterterrorism its top priority. The Bureau now tracks known terrorists and cooperates with other agencies to gather information. Unlike other government agencies, which were folded into the Department of Homeland Security after Sept. 11, the FBI continues to operate within the Department of Justice.

What's the largest division within the FBI?
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
National Crime Information Center
Hostage Rescue Team
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) is the largest division of the FBI. It is responsible for the collection, analysis and comparison of crime scene data.

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How many fingerprints does the FBI's fingerprint identification system have on file?
38 million
42 million
47 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) is the largest database of its kind in the world. It contains the fingerprints of more than 47 million subjects.

Who is the current director of the FBI?
Robert S. Mueller, III
Thomas J. Pickard
Louis J. Freeh
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nominated by President George W. Bush in 2001, Robert S. Mueller III will be the FBI director until 2011 -- serving a total of 10 years.

How old must FBI applicants be?
between the ages of 21 and 40
between the ages of 23 and 39
between the ages of 23 and 43
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In order to apply to become an FBI agent, you must be between the ages of 23 and 39. You must also hold American citizenship, have a clean record and hold a four-year degree.

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What percentage of applicants are accepted into the FBI?
5 percent
10 percent
15 percent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Getting accepted into the FBI is a difficult process; only 10 percent of all applicants are approved. Accepted agents attend the FBI Academy on the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. The academy even has a mock town, called Hogans Alley, which they use for training.

You Got:
/10
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