Just failed my new member exam- need some encouragement

[thetygerlily]

Maybe that's the point- "test" can be interpreted so many ways they decided everyone would be better off to just ban them. Most of the testing situations I've heard of (again, from the men at my alma matter) were extremely lax- things like a couple of actives talking to each other and "accidentally" giving out the answers. So there it was more of a formality than actually testing knowledge.

[Kappamd]

Hey, whatever works. To each his own.

What was this thread about again?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

Hey, whatever works. To each his own.

What was this thread about again?

Some chick got the SARS and flunked her sorority test.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Some chick got the SARS and flunked her sorority test.

I think it was TEH swine.

[Benzgirl]

Why do I not remember taking an exam? Ok, so it was over 25 years ago.

Sisters, feel free to chime in. Was there a test?

[tld221]

If every member takes an exam to be initiated, then its NOT hazing, even under Kappa's definition, because it would be required at some point, whether you were an active or a new member.

to each its own, i suppose. it sounds like more weight is given whether a NM shows up to their NM events/meetings than the exam. kinda like a class that gives more weight to class discussions and homework than the midterm and final.

to OP - feel better, through all of this.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Why do I not remember taking an exam? Ok, so it was over 25 years ago.

Sisters, feel free to chime in. Was there a test?

There was one for me and any new member classes that came in while I was an active. Our chapter advisor would come and "grade" them.

I don't remember anyone ever failing.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Why do I not remember taking an exam? Ok, so it was over 25 years ago.

Sisters, feel free to chime in. Was there a test?

Back in our day, sister, it was an oral quiz.. Oral Pledge Ceremony aka Fireside. We chose three questions from a bowl and answered them with the whole chapter looking on. These days, it's a written test that has to be passed (but not 100% like some orgs.. I think it's 80, but it might be 85). It is a national exam, cannot deviate from it, administered by an advisor. New members can retake it as often as necessary and it's usually given two weeks prior to Initiation so there is plenty of time. I think that's less nerve wracking than the oral one of our day!

I think the "no tests" policies are to avoid the hard nose "quizzing" of new members in inappropriate situations with hazing oriented consequences that used to happen in the old days. Like.. making someone do a shot when they get one wrong, asking insanely detailed questions like some absent senior member's dog's name, etc.

There was some discussion about getting rid of our exam with our new Alpha Experience program, but it was decided to continue it for now. Since we are moving to more of a "continuing education" through the years idea rather than a "learn everything when you're a new member and forget it by the time you're a senior" idea, it could make sense to do away with it, or to add exams each year on the material that should be learned that year. We'll see what the future brings

[FSUZeta]

we used to be quizzed during dinners when guests were not present, but actives-initiated sisters-could be quizzed too. believe me, if you were asked a question that you did not know the answer to, you definately knew it the next time around.

we had to learn the greek alphabet as well as the greek letters & we had to be able to identify the badges of each fraternity and sorority on campus(there were 18 sororities at the time can't remember how many fraternities there were). in addition, we had to know the names of all the fraternities and sororities on campus and to be able to recognize them written with their greek letters and know their colors and mascots/symbols.

we also had to learn the hometowns and majors of the initiated sisters. good times, good times.

[AOII Angel]

AOII has a NM exam which is required for initiation, but then again, we have a Membership education exam every year that initiated sisters must pass. All NMs and initiated members, therefore, must show proficiency with AOII history, policies, etc. It's the way we do it. If Kappa and other NPC groups don't want to test their NMs, they don't have to. I think that I would have known my history with or without a test, and I know for a fact that there are AOIIs out there with no knowledge of AOII facts despite the yearly test. It makes us feel like we are doing something...maybe we're getting to those in the middle who may not have learned it without the test, but there's that group that just doesn't care.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

AOII has a NM exam which is required for initiation, but then again, we have a Membership education exam every year that initiated sisters must pass. All NMs and initiated members, therefore, must show proficiency with AOII history, policies, etc.

We did that too. I think everyone always missed a national council member or two (the title, not who was holding it at the time) no matter how many times you took the thing.

I look at this kind of the same way as I look at history courses in school - kids 40-50 years ago had to memorize dates almost like basic addition and subtraction facts, without understanding the "why" behind it. So everyone overreacted and said no more memorizing dates. Now we have a generation of kids who have no idea why 1066 or 1787 are important years. As with everything else in our society, the pendulum swings so damn far to the other side it causes whiplash. IMO sororities have hopped on the same train. I mean, we have FIVE founders - learning five names shouldn't be that much of a hardship.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

AOII has a NM exam which is required for initiation, but then again, we have a Membership education exam every year that initiated sisters must pass. All NMs and initiated members, therefore, must show proficiency with AOII history, policies, etc. It's the way we do 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.

[Psi U MC Vito]

1787 was the birth of the United States, but was was 1066? William the Conqueror?

[lovespink88]

My sorority does not allow new member tests either. We have a new member education meetings which members have to attend. They learn the history, facts, and all that good stuff. And I believe they must meet with the NMOC if they had to miss it so that they can be filled in on what they missed. But according to Alpha Xi Delta's Risk Management Policies "Quizzing or testing is not allowed as a component of the New Member Orientation Program". I personally don't know why that is, but it's probably for some of the reasons that others have mentioned; it could be considered as "singling out new members" (I know, I know, even though taking a test for initiation would mean that EVERYONE would have had to have taken it at some point in order to become a member) or that it's just close to other things that could be considered hazing, so they want to play it safe...I really have no idea.

I personally wouldn't mind seeing a new member test part of our program. I think it's important for all members to know the background of how their respective organization came to be, and what they stand for. But, at the same time, I honestly don't think that a new member test is going to make members remember the important information for the rest of their lives. It's kind of like my gen ed classes--I honestly did not care about the solar system, but I studied, passed and got a good grade. But if you gave me the test now, I'd probably flunk it.

So, I think you can do all the testing you want, but at the end of the day, its up to the brother/sister to actively chose to take to heart everything that they've learned about their organization.

[peppermint23]

When you're seriously ill, you can only do so much! Don't be hard on yourself, first and foremost. It's admirable of you to study hard even though you felt awful.

Talk to your new member educator. You'll probably be able to re-take it when you're feeling yourself.