ThePowersOftheEarth/ChapterThree
The Tenfold Exams
Everyone in the Republic takes the Tenfold Exams, although not everyone cares about their scores. All jobs ask the age at which you took the exam. If you did not take the exams or took them past the age of 20, you are generally assumed to be a recent immigrant and will be denied most jobs. For those competing for entrance to good Academies, high scores in at least one subject are essential. Those who prepare are known as Diligent Canidates.
The exams are the same for all, mortal and Exalted alike, although the use of Charms is forbidden. Each exam is graded on a scale of 1 to 1,000, and the entire scale gets used. 600 is considered a very good score for a mortal; 700 an excellent score. The handful of mortal students who score 800 or above in any subject are generally invited to the Governor's office for dinner and a photo op. 300-600 is the normal range, with 500 or more necessary to get into a decent school. Exalts are expected to earn 500 in all subjects and generally aspire to 900 or higher in at least one subject.
The ten exams are given over the course of two weeks, and cover a wide range of topics. Note that the names are often euphemisms.
Martial Arts: A test of physical fitness, self defense, and personal combat. Exalts dominate this exam completly, as would be expected.
Military Science: A test of miscellanous technical skills. The exam starts in the shooting dome: the canidate stands in the middle of a dome while laser targets are projected onto the screen. Gradually the lights are lowered, the targets begin to move, recorded sound plays, and other distractions are offered. The exam moves onto simulated stunt driving, computer programming, and the repair of at least one high tech device. There is a short multiple choice exam on basically military terminology, but the name is a euphemism. Students who do well are likely to earn good commisions in the military, though. Non canidates often study for this exam, because a 450 can earn a mortal a decent job as an automechanic.
Spelunking: A test of wilderness survival. The exam is a two day scavenger hunt through the wilderness. Instructors stalk the area and shoot ink balls at canidates. Points are given for the number of items found and deducted for the amount of ink on one's clothes.
History and Government: A test of history and management ability. Students are presented with fictional situations that might arise in a small bussiness or government and asked to write essays on how to deal with the problem. They must make historical allusions in the course of their answers, as well as guessing the current mood of the examiners on the subjects. The written portion is followed with a wide ranging multiple choice on the history of Creation and a brief accounting exam.
Linguistics and Magic: A grueling multiple choice on foreign languages and magical practices. The exam covers at least ten foreign languages and magical rituals, chosen from a list of hundreds. Students are not expected to know all of them, but knowing a few are important. There are also two oral examinations, one in foreign language and one in thaumaturgy. For the orals, the student may choose the foreign language and branch of thaumaturgy in which he will be tested.
Homemaking: A long written exam in biology, medicine, psychology and childhood education. There is a practical where the student must treat a wounded animal, and another where the student must give counseling to a mock psychiatric patient.
Engineering and Mathematics: The most conventional of the exams, this is a long written test of mathematics, physics and similiar subjects. There is a small timed portion in which the student is expected to complete difficult geometry problemse as quickly as possible.
Literature and Politics: This entirely written exam features essays on the cultures, literature, philosophy, and government of foreign nations. There is one essay on more domestic literature, but this is basically the foreign service exam.
Drama and the Arts: The student performs four plays. He is given a part to play, asked to assemble a costume and then sent on stage. Sometimes, he is given lines to memorize, sometimes he must adlib. Sometimes he has adequate material to assemble a costume, sometimes there is one prebuilt costume he is expected to find in the closet and use, sometimes he has to punt. Sometimes the other players are other students, sometimes instructors, sometimes he must monologue. Sometimes he will have an oppurtunity to play an instrument or sing as part of the performance. This exam is widely regarded as difficult, and many students fail.
