WinTuition

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WinTuition was a short-lived American game show which aired on the cable network GSN from 2002 to 2004. It was a game in which three contestants competed to answer questions on general school-based subjects (mathematics, history, science, etc.) in an attempt to win $50,000 in college tuition. The show was hosted by Marc Summers, and Burton Richardson served as announcer. In April 2003, Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, host of Friend or Foe, hosted the show. All the GSN originals had the hosts switch on April Fools Day. A $50,000 win happened on this same episode. A male model, identified only as "Gorgeous George", occasionally brought out props related to the questions. Henry Winkler served as the show's executive producer.

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[edit] Gameplay

The show was divided into twelve levels, or "grades", with each level containing question material appropriate to the pertaining grade level.

[edit] Round 1: Elementary School (1st-5th Grade)

Three players competed. Each player started off the game with 500 Points. One question per grade level was asked for the first four grades, while in 5th grade every player had a chance to score. Correct answers were worth 100 points each; missed questions cost the player 100.

[edit] Round 2: Middle School (6th-8th Grade)

Questions in this round had several correct answers, each of which was worth 250 points. Each player got to give one answer, starting with whoever buzzed in first, after which they could try to give as many of the remaining aswers as they could. A miss cost the player no points but froze him/her out of the rest of the question. Four answers were possible in 6th and 7th grades, seven in 8th; after all three grades had been played, the lowest-scoring player was "expelled" from the game.

The first player to give a correct answer in this round won a $200 bonus prize, either as gift certificates for pizza delivery (usually from Domino's) or as quarters for doing laundry.

[edit] Round 3: High School (9th-12th Grade)

Players alternated answering questions, starting with the leader. Correct answers scored 500 points, while wrong ones deducted 500. In addition, each player could use a "Cut Class" card once in this round and the opponent will have to answer the question.

After the 12th grade question, the "Senior Year Showdown" was played, focusing a single subject chosen from two alternatives offered by Summers. Players continued to answer alternating questions, starting with the leader. As soon as a player missed a question, he/she was out of the round, meaning that the trailing player would have a chance to catch up if the leader made a mistake. The top scorer won the game and moved on to the bonus round.

[edit] Bonus Round: The $50,000 Final Exam

Seated at the "Desk of Destiny" (a small wooden school desk), the winner had 60 seconds to answer up to 10 questions in various subjects. He/she could not return to passed or missed questions. A $50,000 college fund was awarded for getting all 10, or $250 for each right answer if the player fell short.