Test Taking Tips

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Many future priests will be taking the General Ordination Exams next week, and so I thought I would offer a post with some basic test taking advice for the Exam.

1. Prayer 
Begin each day with prayer. If you are not gathering each morning with fellow test takers for Morning Prayer, try to find time to say it yourself. If nothing else, find a few minutes to read over those prayers, psalms or Scripture passages that ground you. Read the ones that will remind you that you are a beloved child of God, that will help keep things in perspective and help you remember that this exam, though it looms large at the present moment, does not define you nor your ministry.

2. Place and Atmosphere
Be sure you have a place to take the test that is quiet and free from interruptions. While you don't need to go the lengths of putting a sign up like the one pictured above, being able to take the exam in peace and quiet is important. Presumably you have made arrangements for this at your home or seminary, so that your friends and family know when not to interrupt you. The other tricky bit is that you will be taking this exam online, and so you need to be at your computer with an active internet connection. And there are so many more fun things that come over that internet connection than an exam! Facebook! Twitter! Instagram! Email! Text messages! Disable all your notifications, so that you are not distracted by where you friends just checked into or the big after Christmas sale at your favorite store. All those things will be there when you are done writing for the day and need a distracting break!

3. Timing and Writing
Be sure you have a clock nearby. Try to plan out your time. Take the first 15 minutes to read through the question and get yourself organized. Then spend 30 minutes researching and outlining your answer. Spend two hours writing. You only have to write 1000 words. This is about 10 words a minute. You can do it! Then spend the remaining time proofreading. Go back and reread the question to ensure that you have answered all the parts of the question. Also ensure that your answer does not contain any identifying information, e.g. seminary, diocese, etc. The GBEC site says to write your exam in the browser (note that only Mozilla's Firefox works), and as a back up, I would recommend that you copy and paste your answer into a word processing program on your computer after each paragraph, and certainly before you click anything that would take you away from the page. Alternatively, you can likely write in a word processing program and then copy and paste into the browser. Either way, be sure you save a back up copy of the answer you submit!

4. Food and Water
Even though you will likely be sitting in a chair for the better part of the day, be sure to keep yourself hydrated and fed. Keep a water bottle and perhaps a thermos of tea or coffee nearby along with some snacks. Although if you are clumsy like me it might be best to keep anything liquid at a little distance. :) You have an hour between the morning and afternoon sessions. Eat a good lunch. Writing is hard work. Keep yourself fueled up!

5. Let it Go!
Apologies to any fellow parents of young children, if I have just prompted Disney's Frozen soundtrack to start playing in your head. Elsa does have good advice. Work hard. Do your best. Then ultimately, let it go. When each session is over, take a break. Plan some kind of fun treat for yourself on the day off. You deserve it.

And in the end, it is always good to remember the wise words of Dame Julian of Norwich, "All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."

You all are in my prayers as you take the Exam. Blessings!

Important Dates for 2015

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Here are some important dates to keep in mind. Please mark your calendars!

Postulants and Candidates:


April 10-11, 2015 - Retreat with Bishops at Camp Washington

Saturday, June 20, 2015 - Gathering with COM at The Commons from 9-3

January 16, 2016 - Gathering with COM & SC at The Commons from 9-3

Recently Ordained Clergy Gatherings
The Commons, 9-2

January 8 

February 12

March 12

May 7 

Commission on Ministry Meetings/Events


February 28 (Joint Leadership Saturday)

March 25, 5:30-7:30

April 15, 5:30-7:30

May 1, Interview Day with Potential Nominees for the Priesthood

May 16, Discernment Day Event 

May 30  (Joint Leadership Saturday)

June 17, 5:30-7:30 

June 20, Gathering with Postulants and Candidates 

July 15, 5:30-7:30

August 19, 5:30-7:30