What does it take to become a CEO?

Have you got your eye on the top job? Perhaps you've heard mutterings that it might become available soon and you reckon it's time to step forward.

But before you embarrass yourself by applying only to be turned down flat, take some time to check out our test, based on the latest research from training and recruitment firm Inspirational Development Coaching.

This should tell you whether you really have what it takes to be a top-notch CEO.

The answers are at the bottom - but no cheating now...

Question 1:
Did you attend Oxford or Cambridge?

A. Of course I bally well did - I'll just put on the old school tie and I'll be in like Flynn.
B. No I didn't. I think it's time to widen the gene pool and look to bring in fresh and innovative thinking.
C. Ox-ford? Jeez, I didn't know that was still a real University. I once went there on a coach trip from London when I was over during summer vacation. I'm a Harvard man - Kappa Beta Alpha.
D. No I didn't. After leaving my all-girls grammar school I went to a very well-respected red brick university and studied an ideal vocational degree course.

Question 2:
How old are you?

A. I'm in my late thirties, but then pater had earned his first million by the time he was 35. Did I mention me and he were at the same college? Both played rugger for King's firsts don't you know.
B. I'm in my 50s.
C. I'm in my 40s.
D. I'm a 50-year-old woman.

Question 3:
Are you a man?

A. Yes
B. No

The answers:
1A. Oh dear. you're off to a bad start I'm afraid. There has been a dramatic fall in the number of Oxbridge graduates taking CEO posts. The only thing you're old school tie will gain access to these days is School Disco.
1B. Like it. You're a third of the way there. More companies are looking beyond the 'Old Boy' network for inspiration.
1C. Even better. FTSE100 companies are increasingly looking to appoint foreign CEOs. Ivy League universities are leading the way in vocational training - such as business courses.
1D. Good, good, your answer combines the best bits of B and C... but hang on, all-girls grammar school? You're a woman! Unfortunately there is still no place at the top table for women. Only one woman heads a FTSE100 company.

2A. Afraid not. Life really does begin at 40 in this game. The average age of a CEO is 53 on the FTSE100.
2B. Good stuff, you're almost there.
2C. 40s could be OK - as long as you're a company man and not some fly-by-night. CEOs, on average, have been with their company for nine years.
2D. Perfect age, but wrong gender.

3. Just in case some might have slipped through the net, this is the universal catch all. If you are a woman then you can only expect an invite to the top job if they have already tried almost every male on the planet.

So what do you think. Surely this whole system is still in need of a massive overhaul. Read our original story http://www.silicon.com/a53956 which revealed these findings and let us know what you think.