That would be a better (more practical) civics test I agree, but who would create it? That would be almost as big a battle as the election I'm sure. It's much worse up here than in the U.S. where there are 5 main parties (depending...) and they all have slightly different views on key issues, to the point that they are spending more time on trying to define their positions than defend them. Asking Joe Public what a given party's position and getting an answer you (who?) could grade would be very difficult indeed.

I'd also have to disagree with your friend, though I see the point I think. Maybe we're running into fundamental difference between our systems of government, but what an individual candidate thinks on anything beyond very local issues is almost meaningless in the face of his/her party position, as members are all expected to vote with the party in the House. Consequently, knowing your member's name is fairly pointless, but knowing their party's platform is important. There is a move up here to get party logos on the ballot to make the distinction even clearer.