[februus]

When I was a kid our 2nd grade teacher began one ‘test’, first by announcing there were 100 things to do on it. The first item on the test read: “Read all questions before beginning this test.”

The next item read: “Stand up and pat your head...”
The next: “Rub you tummy...”

The test did not give enough time to complete all remaining items - but they were pretty much “Hop in place 25 times..” and so on.

The last item read: “If you followed the first item and read through all questions FIRST - congratulations! Put your head down and rest for ten minutes.

[Kickass Conservative]

I had the same test. I was the only one who followed the instructions. I sat there at my desk watching my classmates filling out two pages of non productive busy work.

Kind of like Congress.

[pgkdan]

I took the same test in grade school but I can’t remember when.

[Oatka]

That would be a great test at the next committee meeting in any company. Can you just envision a bunch of ambitious go-getters immediately standing up and patting their heads?

[Sloth]

When I was a kid our 2nd grade teacher began one ‘test’, first by announcing there were 100 things to do on it. The first item on the test read: “Read all questions before beginning this test.” The next item read: “Stand up and pat your head...” The next: “Rub you tummy...” The test did not give enough time to complete all remaining items - but they were pretty much “Hop in place 25 times..” and so on. The last item read: “If you followed the first item and read through all questions FIRST - congratulations! Put your head down and rest for ten minutes.

Whenever I encounter such a test, I wonder why the final item is supposed to get priority over all the rest. If there is a contradiction between two instructions, I fail to see why the latter one would automatically be assumed to be the binding one.