Test Your
British Sign Language
Select a Quiz Mode
Each mode targets different aspects of BSL knowledge - from handshapes and movement to Deaf culture and grammar. All use real sign data from our dictionary.
10 questions from all 14 quiz types - the ultimate BSL knowledge test. No two rounds are ever the same.
Master the physical side of BSL - handshapes, body locations, movement types, hand counts, and palm orientations.
Go beyond vocabulary - test your understanding of cultural context, social register, eyebrow grammar, and example sentences.
Can you identify the difficulty level of a sign? Tests CEFR level, usage frequency, word class, and synonym knowledge.
See a sign thumbnail or keyframe image - identify the sign from four choices. The closest thing to real-world signing comprehension.
For intermediate and advanced learners - movement types, eyebrow positions, handshapes, and CEFR structure questions.
Just 5 questions - the fastest way to test yourself. Perfect for a study break or when you're short on time.
Anyone can take the quiz - but your score, XP, and achievements only save when you're logged in.
Perfect Score!
14 Unique Question Types - No Other BSL Quiz Has These
Every question is generated from the real meta-data behind each sign in our dictionary. Unlike basic flashcards, these questions test the full spectrum of BSL knowledge - the same things a Deaf signer naturally knows about every sign they use.
See a sign name (and thumbnail if available) - pick the correct definition from four choices.
See a definition - identify which BSL sign it belongs to. Reverse-tests comprehension.
A handshape description is shown - which sign uses that handshape? Tests phonological knowledge.
Is this sign one-handed, two-handed, or does it use both variants? Fundamental BSL knowledge.
Where on the body is this sign performed? Head, chest, hands, neutral space - location matters.
Circular, linear, arc, twist, repeated, static or bend? Movement is a core parameter of every sign.
A1 to C2 - which difficulty level does this sign sit at? Tests your meta-awareness of the BSL learning curve.
Formal, informal, slang, child-friendly, technical or neutral? Using the right register is crucial in Deaf community settings.
What do the eyebrows do during this sign? Raised, furrowed, neutral, or one raised? NMMs are grammar - not decoration.
Very Common, Common, Uncommon, Rare or Technical? Prioritise your learning time with frequency awareness.
A real example sentence from the dictionary with the sign removed - which sign fills the blank?
A cultural note from the Deaf community - which sign does it describe? Respects BSL as a language with deep cultural roots.
A keyframe image of a sign is shown - identify it from four choices. The most visual quiz type, closest to real-world Deaf interaction.
Noun, verb, adjective, adverb - what part of speech is this BSL sign? Builds grammatical awareness for constructing sentences.
Earn XP. Climb the Ranks.
Every quiz earns you XP - 10 per correct answer, +5 for speed (under 5 seconds), +50 for a perfect score. XP is shared across your entire SignDeaf account: quizzes, sign practice, favourites, and daily streaks all feed the same level bar.
XP from quizzes stacks with XP from Smart Practice and learning signs in the dictionary.
Achievements to Unlock
Every achievement earns bonus XP and shows on your profile. Quiz achievements stack with all other SignDeaf achievements - learned signs, streaks, practice milestones, and more.
Log in to track your achievements and earn XP.
Why This Quiz Is Different
Most BSL quizzes show a video and ask "what does this sign mean?" That's one question type. SignDeaf draws from 40+ data points behind every sign - because real BSL knowledge goes far beyond word-to-meaning matching.
Real Sign Data, Not Templates
Questions are generated from real phonological data: actual handshape codes, documented movement types, body locations, and cultural notes - not made-up trivia.
Deaf Culture Is Core, Not Optional
The Deaf Cultural Context quiz type teaches the community knowledge behind signs - not just their meaning, but why they exist and how they're used.
Non-Manual Markers as Grammar
No other quiz tests eyebrow position or head movement - but these are grammatical in BSL. Ignoring them means ignoring half the language.
CEFR-Aligned Difficulty
Filter questions to your CEFR level so you're always challenged appropriately - not overwhelmed with C1 signs when you're at A2.
Speed Bonuses Keep It Exciting
Answer correctly in under 5 seconds and earn a +5 XP speed bonus. The timer creates the same time pressure as a real-world Deaf conversation.
Infinite Variety, Never Repetitive
With 526+ signs and 14 question types, the quiz never runs out of fresh combinations. Each session is genuinely different.
Quiz FAQ
How does the BSL quiz work?
The quiz fetches 10 random questions from our database of 526+ BSL signs. Each question uses one of 14 formats drawn from real sign data. You have 15 seconds per question - answering quickly earns a speed bonus. At the end you see your score, XP earned, and any achievements unlocked.
Do I need to pay to take the quiz?
No - the quiz is free for everyone, including guests. You don't even need an account. However, a free account lets you save your XP and achievements, and a paid membership unlocks the full progress dashboard, Smart Practice flashcards, and the complete leaderboard.
What is the 15-second timer for?
The timer mimics the real-time pressure of a Deaf conversation. If you run out of time the question is marked wrong - same as not responding when someone signs to you. Answering in under 5 seconds earns a +5 XP speed bonus. You can disable the time pressure by taking a screenshot strategy - but the speed bonus is worth chasing.
Why are some questions about eyebrows and movement? That seems unusual.
In BSL, eyebrow position and head movement are not emotional decoration - they are grammatical markers. A sentence signed with raised eyebrows is a yes/no question; the same sentence with furrowed brows is a WH-question. Movement type (circular, linear, static, etc.) is a core phonological parameter of every sign. Testing these features is testing real BSL - not just vocabulary.
How is XP calculated?
You earn 10 XP per correct answer. Answer correctly in under 5 seconds and get an extra +5 XP speed bonus per question. Score 100% on any quiz and earn a +50 XP perfect score bonus. XP from quizzes adds to the same total as XP earned from Smart Practice (5 XP per video watched), marking signs as learned (20 XP), and saving favourites (2 XP).
Can I use the quiz to prepare for BSL qualifications?
Yes - the CEFR Challenge mode and level-filtered quizzes are particularly useful for preparation. The handshape and movement questions test phonological knowledge assessed in Signature and CACDP examinations. That said, formal BSL qualifications require assessed production (actual signing) - the quiz tests comprehension and knowledge, which is the foundation but not the whole picture.
Why does SignDeaf include Deaf cultural context in the quiz?
Learning BSL without understanding Deaf culture leads to hearing learners who sign with good vocabulary but poor cultural awareness. The Deaf community has consistently said that hearing learners who lack cultural knowledge - even with technical sign skills - cause friction rather than connection. By building cultural knowledge into the quiz itself, we make sure it's treated as core, not optional.
The quiz is free. Start now.
No account needed. 526+ BSL signs, 14 question types, 8 quiz modes. Start immediately.