Back in the day, the key to survival was figuring this out!!

It's not just 4 years, its for life. Obviously my sisters felt this way, or I would not have gotten a bid. My chapter has a very involved alumnae group, and I plan keeping close ties with the chapter as I have permanently relocated to my college town.

And I did. When I woke up this morning fever free, and began studying to take the test again this evening with the other NM's who didn't pass, I realized I KNEW all of the information already.

It's kind of hard to remember your own name, let alone your entire sorority history, when you have a 103* fever and coughing your guts out.

My retest is tonight at 8! Wish me luck.

The sisters who fail have to also retake the test until they pass. The sisters who do not pass can actually be put on probation and lose social privileges. Also, collegiate chapters must demonstrate a high pass rate to be eligible for International awards.
New members are required to pass the exam, but AFAIK, no one has ever not gotten initiated because they couldn't eventually pass the test. It's not that hard! :)

The test is much easier than it was 13 years ago! I administer the current test. It's only a couple pages. I found one that was about 15 years old that ran about 5 pages front and back! And that didn't count the oral ritual portion.

Good luck!

Hey no fair! ;) I remember the 5 page test + oral portion. I still don't remember it being that hard! To Hell, Stell, Jess & Bess!

So....do any of you know how to say the Greek alphabet TWICE with a match burning upside down? (You hold the match with the tips of your nails is the starter). I do...and so do all my sisters. This was but one of the things that we had to master. (shakes head in disbelief).

I amused my daughter by doing this (after she pledged). I had a fresh manicure. She was, I think impressed.

I did something similar. For us it was three times as we rotated the match. Oh and brothers held the match while the pledges recited the alphabet.

Three times? I am impressed. But then again, you weren't endangering a manicure.

No, but I felt sorry for the brothers who walked away with burned fingertips when I was still learning it.

AST also has a new member exam, as well as a sister exam. You only have to take one exam per school year. For example, the sister exam is usually given in or around March. If a new member was initiated in fall 2009 (after taking a new member exam), she would not be required to take the sister exam until spring 2011.

Neither exam is extremely difficult and/or lengthy. If a new member were to fail (which rarely happens), the test is usually given at least a week before initiation so that she has enough time to make arrangements to re-take it.

If a sister does not pass the initiated sister exam, she is placed on poor standing (no social events, can't vote in meetings, can't hold a position) until she passes. But again, this rarely happens, and the test is usually re-taken and passed shortly after the failed exam.

Yeah, it only took them four recruitments to figure out that they should give you a bid. Awesome for you. Good luck with your do over.

Only twice? :D

Oh. Snap.

Ken must be being a dickhead or something. LOL

My record is 6 times with the match lit right side up. I've never done it upside down. Ouch!

Back on topic - to the OP - did you have weekly quizzes? If you pass the weekly quizzes, I would imagine that the info would be on the tip of your tongue. We had to pass our weekly quizzes.