Are you smarter than a 10th grader? How about when it comes to the basics of finance?
National test scores for financial literacy show that American teens are struggling to understand introductory money management concepts. Teens aged 15 to 18 scored 64.39% on average, failing to meet the “minimum proficiency benchmark” of a 70% grade, according to national results released this month by the advocacy group National Financial Educators Council (NFEC).
"These results underscore how unprepared many American youth remain when it comes to managing money," Vince Shorb, the group’s CEO, said in a press release. "We cannot afford complacency. High-quality financial education is essential to prepare the next generation for real-world financial challenges."
The NFEC, which advocates for financial literacy to be included as a core subject in grade school, administered the 30-question test throughout 2025 to over 61,000 teens across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. — and roughly half of them failed by scoring below 70%.
While the financial literacy test was created for teens, more than 100,000 Americans of nearly all ages have taken it since 2014, NFEC says.
Typically, the older the respondent, the better they scored.
Age | Test Score |
|---|---|
10 to 14 | 57% |
15 to 18 | 64% |
19 to 24 | 71% |
25 to 35 | 76% |
36 to 50 | 77% |
51+ | 78% |
Score rounded to nearest whole number. Adam Hardy for Money.com; National Financial Education Council
Scores also varied widely by state. Teens in Washington, D.C. did the best, scoring an overage of 71%. In second place was West Virginia, with an average score of 69%.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are Delaware and Arkansas, with average scores of 55% and 56%, respectively.
Can you pass this financial literacy test?
The NFEC says it created the test to measure “participants’ ability to earn, save and grow their money.” Money staff took the test and found questions on topics including networking, entrepreneurship, volunteering and goal setting.
Here’s a selection of 5 out of 30 questions on the test, including two of the most commonly missed questions, according to the NFEC. (Jump to the bottom to see the correct answers.)
Sample Question 1: Why would I want to improve my credit score?
a. To save money when purchasing a car with a loan
b. To earn more interest on investments
c. To help you get a job, because many employers check their prospective employees’ credit
d. Both “a” and “c"
Sample Question 2: If I invest $100 per month starting at age 21, and that money earns a 7% annual return, how much will I have after 70 years?
a. $138,957
b. Between $150,000 and $225,000 depending on life expectancy
c. More than $1.5 million
d. None of the above
Sample Question 3: How can understanding risk management topics help me in everyday life?
a. It can help safeguard your credit and protect you from lawsuits.
b. You can avoid large medical bills incurred because you have no medical insurance.
c. Understanding risk management helps you evaluate the risks involved with situations you might face while driving, hanging out with friends, or being adventurous.
d. All of the above
Sample Question 4: Which option describes the best way to automate your finances?
a. Have your employer direct deposit your paycheck, set up automatic bill-pay, set up automatic transfers to your savings account, and track all your finances on a single site.
b. Keep track of all the bills you pay on a spreadsheet, have a written budget, and set up an account with a bank or credit union.
c. Have all the companies you owe deduct their monthly payments directly from your checking account.
d. None of the above
Sample Question 5: What is the safest initial step that I can take to start building my credit?
a. Get a credit card or student loan and pay the bill on time.
b. Create a credit plan that includes a budget, money set aside for emergencies, and the steps you’ll take to prove to the credit bureaus that you can repay money you borrow.
c. Take a cash advance on a credit card and put the money in savings where it will earn interest.
d. Both “b” and “c"
You can take the full 30-question quiz on NFEC's website.
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Correct answers: 1. D; 2. C; 3. D; 4. A; 5. B.
