I want to give my PCs a written test in order to accomplish a task, but I'm not sure where to begin.
I was thinking this test would be one their players would take, but I don't know how the stats of their characters would come in to play.
The best results would, I think, involve a lot of skill checks for "hints".
Conversely maybe some sort of personality test, where the questions don't matter as much as the answers? I'm unsure.
Has there ever been anything like this I could draw inspiration from? Do you guys have any ideas?
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Personality tests can be really interesting, especially if your group gets into role playing their characters during a discussion. One way to do that is to pose questions based on concepts like say "justice" but spin it so there's more than one answer that technically could be correct but the questioner is looking for something particular.
They need to think that there's no right answer at first so that they talk freely, if they think that you're testing them they won't answer the way that they would naturally. Their characters will try and think of "the right answer" having a set up where they're at something like a dinner with the questioner is a great way to put them at ease without them ever knowing that they're being tested.
Take a look at the tests Bumi gave Aang in Avatar the Last Air Bender. Nothing was quite what it seemed, if you decide to go that route with physical tests. Heck go with both and really mess with them if you want.
One thing I do with riddles and puzzles and the like is give the players of high INT or high Knowledge skilled characters advanced copies. This gives them more time to work on a solution/answer.
In game however, all PCs had the same amount of time. Thus the smart ones solved it faster thanks to the player's head start.
Maybe give your players advanced copies of the test. Or maybe just a few questions from it. How many and how much extra time they get is entirely up to you.. you can tailor it to your needs
I think the personality test sounds more fun.
Taking a regular paper test sounds too much like schoolwork--which may be real bad if your players are in school or do lots of paperwork at work. And, no offense, it also sounds kind of non-heroic to sit in a class room and do paperwork. I know I as a player would be very frustrated for my heroic Pathfinder character to just sit there and do paperwork. I also hate it when my PCs have to go shopping or do other mundane, real life, every day activities.
YMMV, but definitely make sure this kind of challenge is something your players find fun.
The impossible question. Some questions all the answers are wrong, but a hero chooses quickly and lives with the consequences. Facing a Werewolf in a 25 foot wide room, you have a dagger of venom, a wand of fireballs, and a silvered spiked gauntlet. Which do you use.