I was very pleased with the results of the Confirmation exam given last night! This was the best that my students have done in recent years.

First, I had provided the young people with a study sheet 2 weeks ago, telling them precisely what would be included on the exam. I believe this made a big difference because some of them actually studied! One young man (who has a minor learning disability and has a penchant for being overly jovial during class) came rushing in at the start of class to tell me that he had all 10 Commandments memorized. He then proceeded to name them flawlessly! (Good thing, too, because he didn’t do so hot on the rest of the exam!). Another young man came in and pulled his study sheet out of his pocket and I saw notes he had written on it as he looked it over confidently before the exam.

I allowed the young people about 15 minutes to review the study sheets (I provided fresh copies) and to quiz one another in preparation for the exam.

Before distributing the exam, I said, “Jesus told us to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This exam is measuring the extent that we’re using our minds to love God. If you love someone, you want to know all about them. One of the ways we show our love for God is by learning all we can about him.” I then re-emphasized that if anyone “failed” the exam, it would mean that I would work with him/her to rectify the situation.

I have a big classroom (actually a science room) so I was able to spread the young people out all over the room for the exam. I played some instrumental music very quietly in the background (Be Not Afraid: instrumental Arrangements of Ten Beloved Contemporary Hymns, David Phillips…very nice).

Here is the exam itself.

The young people finished quicker than I expected so we had time to correct the exams and review the answers.

• 12 students took the exam.
• The average (mean) score was 91.6
• the median score was 96.5.
• Only 1 student did poorly (68%) but his situation should be easily remedied…he’s a good kid who causes me no trouble.
• 7 of the young people listed the Ten Commandments perfectly (correct wording and correct order).
• Using a 10-point scale, (90-100 = A, etc.), there are 9 A’s, 1 B, 2 C’s, and 1 D and NOBODY failed! (personally, I’m asccustomed to a 7-point scale [93-100 = A, etc.] so anything below 70 is a failing grade)
• For some reason, a number of young people got the theological virtues and the cardinal virtues confused.
• 8 listed the seven sacraments perfectly and in the correct category (Sacraments of Initiation, etc.); 1 listed all seven sacraments but had a few in the wrong category; 1 didn’t know how to spell Matrimony; 2 missed 2 or 3 sacraments.

In the weeks ahead, we have an entire unit on Morality so we’ll have a chance to go over the Ten Commandments again. There were 4 young people who could name no more than 5 of the Commandments and we’ll have to address that.

In all, I feel comfortable telling the DRE who will tell the pastor who will tell the bishop that these young people have been properly prepared for Confirmation (which is March 8)!