College Major Quiz

Students comparing academic directions can use this major quiz to organize interests before researching majors, courses, or careers. It makes that comparison more concrete by showing which kinds of academic work attract attention. It is useful when asking what major should I choose and wanting a quiz-based comparison. The college major quiz is intended for people who want a structured starting point rather than a single prescribed answer.

What This Assessment Explores

Results describe academic affinity, not grades or talent. As a quiz about choosing a major, it frames what should I major in as exploration, not a permanent verdict. The pathways are:

• Arts, Humanities & Communication (0-12) measures creative-cultural affinity: Other Interests Lead (0-4); Selective Arts/Humanities Interest (5-8); Strong Arts/Humanities Affinity (9-12).
• Business & Economics (0-12) measures markets, strategy, and resources: Other interests lead (0-4); Context-dependent interest (5-8); Strong business & economics affinity (9-12).
• Engineering & Computing (0-12) measures building, coding, and systems: Other approaches lead (0-4); Applied-tech curiosity (5-8); Strong engineering & computing affinity (9-12).
• Science & Health (0-12) measures science, health, and living systems: Other interests lead (0-4); Selective science interest (5-8); Strong science & health affinity (9-12).
• Society & Public Service (0-12) measures people, policy, education, and communities: Other interests lead (0-4); Focused social interest (5-8); Strong public-service affinity (9-12).

Methodology and Scientific Basis

Items present subject clusters, academic situations, questions, or study preferences, each with four alternatives. The choices concern subjects, tasks, or approaches; selecting one records preference rather than competence, with no correct answers.

Responses form pathway totals. The highest signals strongest affinity; totals within one point suggest a blended profile. When exploring what to major in, students can compare it with course descriptions. The questionnaire does not disclose how each response contributes to a total, so totals are comparative affinity signals, not independently reproducible calculations.

Päßler and Hell (2012) linked interests and abilities with college major choice. This online self-reflection format is conceptually consistent with Holland’s RIASEC model and the ACT Interest Inventory, but is neither a published instrument nor a validated adaptation. Those sources contextualize these themes; they do not validate this questionnaire.

For students asking what should I major in college, this free quiz offers a starting point rather than a decision rule. No norms or clinical cutoffs are stated; self-report may shift with mood, experience, self-awareness, or expectations. The profile reflects preferences, not ability, admission readiness, or career success.