Level 1 exam — Creativity & Problem Solving

Exam — fresh questions

12 questions to validate idea generation: brainstorming, brainwriting, mind mapping, SCAMPER and associations.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

1.1 · Recall

1. What makes a brainstorming effective?

Strict respect of precise rules The number of participants The bosses' talent The duration

Without the 4 rules (quantity, no judgment, wild ideas, build on), it is just a sterile meeting.

1.1 · Application

2. What to do with a « wild » idea in brainstorming?

Welcome it: it opens paths Postpone it Judge it first Reject it

Bold ideas trigger other ideas; never judge during generation.

1.1 · Arbitration

3. What is NOT one of Osborn's rules?

Quantity over quality No judgment Criticize each idea Build on others

Criticism during generation is precisely banned: it is enemy no. 1.

1.2 · Application

4. Which bias does brainwriting correct?

Off-topic drift Slowness The dominance effect of talkers Lack of wild ideas

Writing in silence, everyone contributes equally, including the quiet.

1.2 · Application

5. What is brainwriting 6-3-5?

3 ideas a day 5 bosses decide 6 votes in 3 rounds 6 people, 3 ideas, 5 minutes, then pass the sheet

Everyone writes 3 ideas in 5 min then passes to the neighbor who builds on: equal, parallel generation.

1.3 · Recall

6. What are the two functions of the mind map?

Generate and organize ideas Calculate and measure Decide and prototype Sort and vote

It frees ideation (generate) and offers a structured overview (organize).

1.3 · Application

7. What to place on a mind map's branches?

Paragraphs Numbers only Full sentences Short keywords

Keywords (not sentences) keep the map legible and fast.

1.4 · Application

8. What does SCAMPER apply to?

Nothing (start from zero) An existing thing to transform Numbers A vote

SCAMPER applies 7 levers to an existing product/service/process to transform it.

1.4 · Recall

9. What does the « E » of SCAMPER mean?

Extend Eliminate (remove, simplify) Write Evaluate

Eliminate = remove an element, simplify to the extreme; a powerful lever.

1.4 · Arbitration

10. When is SCAMPER most useful?

To frame a problem To decide alone To vote When stuck or improving an existing thing

Its 7 questions restart the machine on an existing thing, including solo.

1.5 · Application

11. What do forced connections rest on?

Linear logic Chance and constraint to break patterns Cause analysis Voting

Linking a random word to your problem forces unusual bridges and new ideas.

1.5 · Arbitration

12. When to prefer associations and analogies?

To measure When all goes well When « logical » thinking goes in circles To sort

These techniques unblock breakthrough ideas when usual thinking is bogged down.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: move on to Level 2 — V3 (frame the problem: 5 whys, Ishikawa, 5W1H, reformulation).
Score < 80%: reread the explanations above — each one re-explains the concept — then redo the 48h challenges of the 5 sections.

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