GAMC0939
October 12, 2009

First online administration of Bible Content examination declared a success

Contact:
Emily Enders Odom, (336) 508-6394

Greensboro, N.C. — Continued advances in internet technology have made it possible for the Bible Content examination — one of the five standard examinations required for ordination to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — to be offered online for the first time.

On October 2, 2009, a total of 138 inquirers and candidates at 32 proctored testing sites across the U.S. successfully registered for and completed the online examination through the use of a new Internet-based testing program. “All in all, I’d say it was a big success,” said Catherine Davis, a proctor at the Princeton Theological Seminary testing site, which with 28 had the most test takers registered at any single site.

The Bible Content examination, which is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of stories, themes, and pertinent passages in the Old and New Testaments, is a two-hour test containing 100 multiple-choice questions, using the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible for all quotations.

“By making the Bible Content examination available online, at least three significant improvements have been achieved for our inquirers and those who work with them,” said the Rev. Timothy B. Cargal, Ph.D., interim associate for Preparation for Ministry/Exams in the PC(USA)’s Office of Vocation. “First, those taking the test now receive immediate feedback rather than waiting two months for their results. Second, the feedback that the program automatically provides to each test taker highlights both areas of strength and areas needing further study, important information not only for those who may have to repeat the test but also for those who pass. Finally, we are now able to offer the test on the same twice yearly schedule as the other ordination exams."

Candidates were offered the option of taking the examination in English, Spanish or Korean. Out of the 138 who tested on October 2, there were three Korean and two Spanish test takers. “Those numbers as percentages are consistent with the number of candidates who took the written ordination exams in August,” Cargal said.

“This was a wonderful start,” said one test taker in an anonymous online survey provided at the conclusion of the examination. “This is definitely the way to do it!”

The next online administration will take place on Friday, February 5, 2010. The proctors for each site are responsible for providing information about the specific equipment availability and the requirements for their respective testing locations. Registration is now available and can be completed online by following the links from the information page.