I finally got a chance to correct the Confirmation exams that my students took on Monday evening and I was generally pleased.
- They all passed!
- 4 students earned scores of 100+ (extra credit section on the Nicene Creed allows them to score over 100 pts)
- 3 were in the 80s and 90s
- 2 were in the 70s
- 1 took the exam with the DRE on Tuesday because he could not attend Monday night…I’ll have to check on his score.
- I was pleased especially with the fact that all but one of them were able to recall the Ten Commandments from memory and write them out in full.
- A few of them were able to recall all 10 but got them in the wrong order (for which I only take a few points off)
- only one student actually left some Commandments blank
- They did well with regards to recalling the Seven Sacraments as well…most recalled all seven.
- one student left all seven sacraments blank and yet filled in some of the Sacraments in the next section, so I think there was a brain freeze taking place there.
In all, I am proud of the kids for doing so well and I will tell them that when they stand before the bishop at their Confirmation, they can say “AMEN” with great confidence when the bishop anoints them with the words, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit,” knowing that the Spirit has indeed sealed them!
Here’s the confirmation exam if you’re interested…it covers the basics of the Catholic faith. Confirmation Exam
Hi Joe,
Last year we were changing some things with Confirmation prep. One of the components was a Confirmation test or exam. Was concerned that the test furthered the perspective of confirmation prep being a school project, get a grade, when you pass you graduate. But looking at your exam, realize too the importance of the candidates learning the basics of the faith and being able to assess that process. Thanks for including your exam. Thinking that will give it out as a Faith Review … we have moved into a Family Faith Formation model … maybe having the parent or sponsor check it over, give them the answer sheet. Liking this more and more.
Thank you Joe for your ministry!
Thanks, Linda. I think that it all comes down to how you talk about the exam/assessment with the kids (and, of course, what you do with it). We make it very clear that this is not a litmus test of their eligibility to be confirmed but rather an opportunity to assess their grasp of the Catholic faith and to assist them if they need help. I think it’s also important to give them every opportunity to prepare for it – thus the Jeopardy game the week before and the study packet they took home…we want everyone to pass!
Good test, plenty broad and not nitpick deep. I think my 6th graders would know about 90% of it….or should know about 90% of it.
Hey, did anyone mix the Protestant Ten with the Catholic Ten?
No, that didn’t happen. Our community is very Catholic so they don’t have much exposure to the Protestant tradition. If someone DID mix them up, I’d be impressed that at least they know ONE version by heart!
Hi, Joe
I have to share . . . I also teach 8th grade Rel Ed in a Confirmation year. We had studied, of course, the story of Pentecost – having read it in the Acts of the Apostles, or as I probably called it – the Book of Acts. So, naturally, one of the questions on our Confirmation exam was, “In which book of the Bible do we read the story of Pentecost?”
I go home that night, put together a little snack and a beverage and settle down to grade the exams. My wife came back downstairs a little while later to find out why I was laughing. Probably 2/3 of the people who answered the question at all wrote, “The book of Ax”. I was stunned the first time I read it, but by the fifth or sixth time, I could only laugh. I guess I have to be a little more careful and not take for granted that they know their books of the Bible!
Jim, that is TOO funny!
Hi Joe,
I just came across the info. on Confirmation prep as I was looking for other information. I am particularly interested in the tests even though I intend to use some of the BLM’s. I would appreciate a sample of your tests.
Your website is wonderful and I use it as often as I can. Thank you and God bless you.
Sr. Margaret Hoban
Thanks, Sr. Margaret. There is a link to the exam at the end of this blog post. If you have trouble finding it, let me know.
Hi from St. Paul’s Parish in Congers, New York. I teach the 8th Grade CCD with my wife & stumbled on your resource. Thanks so much for sharing. God Bless you.
Joe Salvemini
Hi Joe Salvemini…you’ve stumbled into a good place…a place where catechists meet and share. Welcome!
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the post — the exam in particular. My son is going to start CCD Confirmation classes this year, and although he has been attending CCD for years, I’m not sure what he knows. This would help to know where I need to supplement his knowledge on our catechism. Thank you!
Ina, I hope you and your son have a good Confirmation experience!