How to Solve the Japanese IQ Test Flash Game

The latest rage winding up in our E-mail inboxes is a flash game that is called the Japanese IQ Test. In this popular IQ test, you are supposed to move the family, a cop and a prisoner from one side of a river to another on a raft. It is quite difficult and many people have a difficult time solving it on their first try. I didn't solve it until my third try.

It is said that this is a new IQ test given by Japanese employers to their potential employees, however the writing in the game is actually Chinese, not Japanese. That discrepancy also opens up the question of whether or not this IQ test is really used in China. I don't have the answer, but inaccuracies like this are to be expected in what is essentially another piece of viral spam hitting our inboxes. Also, this test is hardly new and has been floating around the Internet for the past year.

For those who have come across the game without the English instructions, I will quickly list them:

1. Only 2 people can be on the raft at the same time.
2. The father can not be alone with the daughters without the mother being on the same side.
3. The mother can not be alone with the sons without the father being on the same side.
4. The thief can not be alone with any member of the family without the police officer present.
5. Only the mother, father and police officer know how to operate the raft.
6. To move the raft, click on one of the red poles once everyone is positioned on the raft.

Spoiler alert! If you don't want the solution just yet, don't read on. If you are stuck and want to know how to solve the test, here is what you need to do:

1. Police officer and prisoner cross
2. Police officer back
3. Police officer and boy cross
4. Police officer and prisoner come back

5. Father and a boy cross
6. Father goes back
7. Father and mother cross
8. Bring the mother back

9. Police officer and prisoner cross
10. Send the father back
11. Mother and father cross again
12. Send the mother back

13. Mother and daughter cross
14. Police officer and prisoner cross
15. Police officer and daughter cross
16. Send the officer back
17. Officer and prisoner cross.

That's it! Now the next time you find yourself jobless in China, you will be ready to impress.