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The Show The format of Mastermind is the same today as it was when it was first devised more than 30 years ago. Four contestants (in later rounds of the competition the number is occasionally five) take it in turns to answer questions over two rounds against the clock. The first two-minute round comprises questions on each contestant's chosen specialist subject and the second two-minute round tests general knowledge. If a contestant does not know the answer to a question they can either take a guess, and wait to be told the correct answer, or 'pass' and move straight on to the next question.
Picture by James Campbell		If the clock runs out whilst the quiz master is reading a question, he will continue and give the contestant an opportunity to answer - hence the show's catchphrase "I've started so I'll finish".
The lowest scoring contestant on the first (specialist) round, is always the first to be quizzed in the second (general knowledge) round. This maintains the drama throughout the show, as the highest scoring first round contestant must wait until the very end of the contest to be sure of his or her fate. The winner of each Mastermind contest is the player with the highest number of points at the end of the second round. If final scores are tied, then the winner is the contestant who 'passed' on the fewest questions.
The winner of each contest goes forward to the next knockout phase of the competition. This show is identical to the first, except that the contestants are all previous winners and they all have to answer questions on another specialist subject and, again, general knowledge.		Picture by James Campbell
This means contestants need to be experts in up to three areas if they hope to get to - and win - the Mastermind final - and that contests should get closer and more nail-biting throughout the series. The highest ever total 'Mastermind' score was 41, achieved by Kevin Ashman in 1995. And according to a 1998 survey by Phillida Grantham (secretary of the 'Mastermind' club), the top occupations of contestants have been teacher, followed by civil servant, doctor, librarian and housewife. Think you've got what it takes to win? Then apply.

'Mastermind' chair


	NOTABLE SPECIALIST SUBJECTS History and Genealogy of European Royalty The Life and Works of Gilbert & Sullivan The Moomin saga by Tove Jansson The History of Lancashire County Cricket Club The Life-cycle and Habits of the Honey-bee The Buddhist sage Niciren NOTABLE REJECTED SPECIALIST SUBJECTS Routes to Anywhere in Mainland Britain by Road from Letchworth Cremation Practice and Law in Britain The Banana Industry Orthopaedic Bone Cement in Total Hip Replacement Perfect Squares from 992 = 9801

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