Want to Compete on Jeopardy? 6 Tips for Getting on the Trivia Show, According to an Expert

For many Jeopardy! fans, competing on the trivia show is a lifelong dream that can take years to come true — but when it does, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of potentially being crowned a champion.

Jeopardy! has been airing almost consecutively since 1964, with the modern version of the series premiering in 1984, hosted by Alex Trebek. Since then, it has been a nightly staple for families across America, with Trebek becoming a household name after leading the ABC series for nearly four decades.

Today, Ken Jennings stands at the lectern as the quiz series continues to captivate viewers with intense gameplay and memorable personalities, like Matt Amodio, Amy Schneider and Mattea Roach. Celebrity Jeopardy! has also spotlighted famous names who are dedicated fans of the longtime program, including NBA alum Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

So how does a fan of Jeopardy! go from a viewer to a competitor? There are several steps, from meeting the eligibility requirements to filling out an application and making the best impression with producers. Plus, it helps if contestants are an avid fan of the show, Alison Shapiro, Jeopardy!’s director of communications, tells PEOPLE.

Here’s everything to know about how to get on Jeopardy!, including how to apply, what the audition process is like and prize details.

You need to pass the Anytime Test to be considered to compete on Jeopardy!

If a viewer wants to compete on Jeopardy!, they must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States or Canada.

When the minimum eligibility requirements are met, the first step to apply to be a Jeopardy! contestant is to create a MyJeopardy! account and complete a registration form. After that, the Anytime Test must be taken, which is a 50-question quiz that gauges a candidate’s knowledge on various topics.

The Jeopardy! website recommends aspiring contestants set aside 15 minutes to answer each question within the 15-second limit. There is also a practice section to help folks get a better sense of the exam, and it offers answers at the end to help with preparation.

Although all Jeopardy! fans can take the Anytime Test, each applicant can only take the test once every 12 months. It’s important to note that the trivia show doesn’t reveal test scores, so it’s possible for a candidate to pass the Anytime Test but not hear back. If this is the case, they should retake the test the following year.

A select group of contestants who pass the Anytime Test will receive an email invitation within a year and move on to a two-part audition process.

You could move onto a two-part audition involving more virtual quizzes

Qualifiers who pass the Anytime Test and receive an audition invitation partake in a two-part video conference audition.

The first portion of the audition is a 50-question quiz like the Anytime Test, but this time, it’s done via a video call so coordinators can determine how a contestant performs under pressure. If an applicant passes round one, they may be called back within a year for the next steps, per the Jeopardy! FAQ.

The second part of the audition is also conducted virtually and more closely resembles the Jeopardy! gameplay. After qualifiers undergo a brief tutorial, they’re split into groups of three to compete in a mini version of the show, where they’ll answer trivia questions and share details about their personal background.

This portion of the audition helps coordinators get an idea of how potential contestants will do in front of the camera and interact with the host and other contestants.

If you make it through the audition process, you will be added to Jeopardy!‘s contestant pool — for a limited time

Qualifiers who pass the Anytime Test and perform well in both rounds of the audition will be added to the Jeopardy! contestant pool for only 18 months.

“Once a potential contestant has completed both rounds of the audition, they are made aware that they are in the contestant pool and could be contacted to appear on the show any time in the following 18 months,” Alison Shapiro, Jeopardy’s director of communications, tells PEOPLE.

Contestants chosen to compete on the trivia show are usually given around one month’s notice before their filming date — but not everyone in the pool will be asked to appear on air.

“If those 18 months go by without a call, they can test again,” she explained.

When you’re called up to compete, you could wait a few more days to be on air

Jeopardy! has a few hundred contestant slots to fill each year, and on average, 127,000 fans take the Anytime Test annually, Shapiro reveals to PEOPLE.

While there’s only about a 0.3% chance of earning a spot at a podium, for many fans of the longtime series, taking the Anytime Test and partaking in the audition process is a unique and fun experience all on its own.

In certain cases, even when a qualifier is called up to appear on the game show, it could take a few days to go in front of the camera.

Shapiro revealed that for each day of filming, a few additional contestants are brought to the studio as “alternates” in case another participant can’t do the taping and the standby needs to kick off their run instead.

The good news is that alternates have guaranteed spots on the show, so if they are not needed one day, they will be able to compete at a later date.

Knowledge of Jeopardy! and reapplying can help you be selected

It pays off to be a dedicated viewer of Jeopardy!, Shapiro tells PEOPLE. In addition to helping prospective contestants prepare for the Anytime Test and the two-step audition, it gives them an edge with questions and categories.

For example, “Potent Potables” may sound odd to someone who doesn’t tune into the trivia show on a regular basis. Still, those familiar with it will quickly recognize that it’s an iconic Jeopardy! category about alcoholic beverages. Knowing the ins and outs of the show’s format and style is valuable not just while competing on an episode but also during the audition process.

Whether aspiring Jeopardy! competitors only make it to the first round of auditions or make it through the entire process but still aren’t called within the allocated timeframe, persistence is key to appearing on the series.

Today, Amy Schneider is known as the second most-winning contestant in Jeopardy! history, winning an impressive 40 games, but it took her a long time to earn a spot to begin with. In an essay for Jeopardy.com, she revealed that she began auditioning for the show 15 years before she was eventually chosen.

Apart from trivia knowledge and perseverance, it can also help to be comfortable in the spotlight, according to a past contestant. They shared that potential candidates should aim to be confident during the audition process to show Jeopardy! producers that they can handle being in front of the camera.

Even if you aren’t crowned a Jeopardy! champion, you’ll still be compensated for participating

At the end of every episode, each Jeopardy! competitor gets paid and walks away with winnings.

The Jeopardy! champion keeps their total winnings, which will be rolled over into their subsequent appearances until they lose. Currently, host Ken holds the title for highest winnings during regular season play, taking home about $2.5 million after playing 74 consecutive games, just ahead of Amy.

Meanwhile, the second and third-place players earn $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. According to TVLine, up until 2023, second place won $2,000, and third place earned $1,000, but the prizes were increased to account for travel expenses.