Frequently Asked Questions about the Tests

• What happened to the Ordeals?
  Ordeals, the first name given to the various education tests, were eliminated in favor of these. They tested you on materials that are no longer in use, plus we also needed a new name. The tests really not as arduous as the name ‘ordeal’ implies.
  
  

• Is there a charge for exams?
  No, there is no charge for exams. The Membership Handbook does refer to a $4.00 charge, but this is simply an error due to that section of the Handbook being written before making the decision for exams to be free of charge. Please disregard any reference to charges for exams in the Membership Handbook. (There used to be a processing fee to cover costs for things that had to be mailed out.)
  
  

• If I fail an exam, can I retake it?
  Yes, though there is a waiting period. After failing to pass an exam the first time, you must wait two weeks before taking it again. After failing to pass the second and subsequent times, you must wait three months.
  
  

• How long does it take for my exam to be graded?
  While most exams are graded within a few days, there are many situations that may cause it to take longer to grade. A grading time of up to two weeks is considered normal, especially during the first month after an exam is released, or during convention weekends while the graders may be away from home.
  
  

• I’m an officer. What exams do I have to take?
  All officers are required to pass the Test of Membership (a prerequisite for all the other exams) and the Test of Leadership.
     — Coordinators are also required to pass the Test of the Coordinator.
     — Storytellers are also required to pass the Test of the Storyteller.
  
  

• I’m an officer. When is the deadline for passing my exams?
  Each officer needs to pass their required exams within 90 days of taking office. If the exam has not yet been released when you take (or took) office, then this deadline is moved to 90 days from the release of the exam instead. For the exams released so far, this makes the deadlines:
     — Test of Membership:  March 31, 2004 (for those in office prior to Jan 1)
     — Test of the Coordinator:  June 30, 2004 (for those in office prior to Apr 1)
     — Test of the Storyteller:  August 31, 2004 (for those in office prior to May 31)
  

• What happens if I’m removed from office for not passing an exam?
  If an officer has not passed the required exams within 90 days of taking office, they will be removed from office. Typically, they will also be barred from holding office until they pass the required exam(s).

  Once the position is vacant, elections should be held as soon as possible. If the former officer passes the required exams while applications are still being accepted, they are free to apply as a candidate in the new election.
  
  

• What happens if I use someone else’s answers?
  Tests are intended to test a member’s own knowledge, not of one’s friends. Copying another’s answers in whole or in part is dishonest, and it will be considered cheating. Any member caught cheating on the exams will be subject to severe penalties, which will include at minimum:
     — Loss of prestige equal to that normally granted by the test.
     — One week’s suspension from Camarilla activities
     — Possible extended suspension or other administrative punishments as deemed appropriate to the situation