West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Test
West Virginia History Bowl
West Virginia Studies
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“WEST VIRGINIA GOLDEN HORSESHOE AWARD”
“The Golden Horseshoe Test has been administered in West Virginia each year since 1931 and is the longest running program of its kind in any state. The top-scoring students in each county receive the prestigious award and are inducted as “knights” and “ladies” of the Golden Horseshoe Society.”
“Keeping ConnectED: Golden Horseshoe 2023”
“In this week’s Keeping ConnectED, 226 West Virginia eighth graders are inducted as Knights of the Golden Horseshoe during the annual recognition ceremony. These students join a legacy of culture, history, and learning that dates back prior to the founding of our country.”
(2:37/2023/West Virginia Department of Education)
Golden Horseshoe Testing Information
Explore West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Middle/Secondary Learning’s “Student Programs” Website — Click on “Golden Horseshoe” — Includes: Upcoming Dates; Registering Students; Preparing for the Golden Horseshoe Essay and Multiple Choice Online Test; Essay Test information; Online Test information; Test Proctor/Moderator; Internet Usage Tips on Test Day; Online Test Forms; Winners; and more.
<<Private and Home Schools should consult the page for special instructions and dates.>>
“The number of winners is determined by population but every county is given a minimum of two winners. The bigger the county, the more winners it will have. The Golden Horseshoe test is a competition within a county, NOT within the state.”
Golden Horseshoe Study Links for Students
Explore West Virginia Archives and History’s “Daily History” Website — includes “On This Day in West Virginia History” and links to “Daily Trivia” and “Quick Quizzes” [“On This Day in West Virginia History” “. . . presents one or more events for every day of the year, with links to additional information.”]
Explore West Virginia Archives and History’s “Quick Quizzes” Website — “These 10-question each, multiple-choice quizzes test knowledge on West Virginia.” There are more than 200 Quizzes.
Explore West Virginia Archives and History’s “Daily Trivia/Question of the Day” Website — “Another useful tool for students studying for the Golden Horseshoe.”
Golden Horseshoe Practice Tests for Students
Explore WVDoE’s Golden Horseshoe “Practice Essays” Website (pdf)
Explore WVDoE’s “Essay Test Lines” Website (pdf) {Students are given a page like this to write answers to the essay question}
Explore WVDoE’s Golden Horseshoe “Practice Multiple Choice Questions” Website (pdf) Answer Key (pdf)
Explore WVDoE’s“Golden Horseshoe Practice Test 2” Website (pdf) Answer Key (pdf)
Explore WVDoE’s “Test Day Tips” Website (pdf)
Important Golden Horseshoe Dates for Students
Golden Horseshoe Winners
Explore West Virginia DOE’s “Golden Horseshoe Day Programs” (pdf): 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Explore West Virginia DOE’s “Golden Horseshoe Day Winners List” (pdf): 2020 2022 2023 2024
(Unfortunately, there was no ceremony nor program for 2020)
(For winners prior to 2013, consult the Golden Horseshoe Database)
(Videos of several recent years’ Ceremonies are available on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s YouTube channel.)
Golden Horseshoe Database
“Since 1931, more than 15,000 West Virginia students have received the Golden Horseshoe Award in recognition of their knowledge of West Virginia history. Each year, thousands of eighth graders across the state take the Golden Horseshoe examination, and more than two hundred are inducted into the prestigious Golden Horseshoe Society.”
Explore West Virginia Archives and History’s “Golden Horseshoe Prep” Website — includes: How To Use The Database; Search the Golden Horseshoe Database; Honorary Golden Horseshoe Recipients; 1955 Golden Horseshoe Test
“The origin story of West Virginia’s Golden Horseshoe they don’t teach you in middle school”
February 7, 2023
“Most people who grew up in West Virginia remember the one time in 8th grade when they were given the chance to show off their knowledge of the Mountain State’s history through the Golden Horseshoe test. But what few people know is that the origin of the test’s name was based on . . “
Explore WBOY TV’s “The Origin Story. . .” article to continue reading (pdf)
“WEST VIRGINIA HISTORY BOWL”
“In 2010, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History (WVDCH) began an exciting new challenge for eighth graders to test their West Virginia history – the West Virginia History Bowl Tournament. Teams of students from around the state face off in an academic bowl competition that focuses on West Virginia history, literature, arts, architecture, geography and culture.
“Eighth grade students in public, private and home school education programs are eligible to compete on the four-person teams in double-elimination tournament play. The regional tournament winners and the runner-up team move forward to the state tournament held in late April at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex, in Charleston.”
Explore West Virginia Culture and History’s “West Virginia History Bowl” Website — (includes schedule for current year and results from previous years)
“The questions are largely drawn from questions found in the Archives and History ‘Quick Quizzes’ and ‘Daily Trivia’.”
Explore West Virginia Archives and History’s “Daily History” Website — includes “On This Day in West Virginia History” and links to “Daily Trivia” and “Quick Quizzes” [“On This Day in West Virginia History” “. . . presents one or more events for every day of the year, with links to additional information.”]
Explore West Virginia Archives and History’s “Quick Quizzes” Website — “These 10-question each, multiple-choice quizzes test knowledge on West Virginia.” There are more than 200 Quizzes.
Explore West Virginia Archives and History’s “Daily Trivia/Question of the Day” Website — “Another useful tool for students studying for the Golden Horseshoe.”
“GOLDEN HORSESHOE” – The Musical
“Golden Horseshoe is a musical that celebrates West Virginia. It’s about a father helping his son study for the Golden Horseshoe test while coping with the recent death of his own father. The story unfolds in historical (and musical!) scenes in his son’s imagination, as we meet John Brown, Stonewall Jackson, and many more. The show is educational and historical, funny and touching, entertaining and uplifting.”
[It is unknown when or if “Golden Horseshoe” will have another statewide tour. – this video is from a previous tour and cast]
WV Golden Horseshoe Test — WV History Bowl
West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Test — West Virginia History Bowl
Golden Horseshoe Musical
West Virginia History Practice Quizzes and Tests
WV History Practice Test and Quiz
West Virginia History Bowl WV History Bowl
Eighth grade
WV Golden Horseshoe
Ladies and Knights of the Golden Horseshoe