R.A.T.S. Exams! on Cascade Hall

Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau

September 14, 2013 2:14 PM

R.A.T.S. Exams! by Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau

Today was the first day of the Ridiculously Anal Testing of Skills exams. Also known as the R.A.T.S. examinations. Much like the C.A.T.S. examinations had fifth years on anxiety reducing potions, the R.A.T.S. examinations had many of the Seventh years wishing they could simply go to sleep and wake up four days from now with the R.A.T.S. exams long completed. These examinations determined if the last seven years of learning had been worth it. Passing as many exams as possible meant more opportunities with careers for the students, whether that mean going off to University for further education or beginning an internship/apprenticeship in a specific field of expertise.

The fresh face of Aurora Septentrion had remained at the school after the C.A.T.S exams to monitor the R.A.T.S. Anyone who was paying attention to the examiners who had come for the R.A.T.S. examinations the previous years and this year’s C.A.T.S., would remember her face, otherwise, she was new to all. Aurora allowed her blonde hair to remain free and down, giving her a youthful appearance that went well with her petite frame and blue eyes. Some of the males in the group were bound to find her attractive and, although she rarely smiled, the atmosphere around her was warm and friendly. However, students should not take this to mean she was an easy target to persuade or trick, Aurora took her responsibilities seriously and could be ruthless when needed.

Nanette Langdon was the complete opposite of Aurora in every way both physically and in personality. She had a fierce look to her caused by her straight back posture, so tight bun that her face was pulled back, and the pinched up look on her face as though she was constantly smelling something foul. Beyond that, she had such sharp hard features that only matched her hard cold eyes that anyone who was unlucky enough to have her as their examiner might feel as though she was going out of her way to fail them.

The last examiner and the fairest of them all, was David Weatherby. Handsome despite his aging appearance, David always enjoyed these weeks where he went from school to school meeting the students and learning of their abilities. With salt and pepper hair, vibrant green eyes, and a lean body, most of the female population tended to develop small crushes on him. However, it was his fairness and respect for the process in his examinations that had students hoping he would be the one to call out their name.

The mornings where the theoretical examinations were to take place, students were asked to quickly take their seats while the anti-cheating quills were presented to each of them. Examination books and parchments were faced down on desks and only allowed to be flipped once the examinations have begun. Langdon addressed the students in her crisp voice, “We have cast spells to prevent any cheating. Those who are caught will immediately be failed and removed from the room. Anyone who completes the examination prior to the end of the alluded time will remain seated and quiet out of respect to their peers.” Nanette made sure her seriousness of the situation was made clear as she looked at each student before continuing. “You may begin.”

In the afternoons when the practical examinations happened, students would wait outside of the Cascade Hall until their names were called. Once called, they would enter the Hall and make their way over to where the Examiner was awaiting them. The examiner would ask them to perform certain spells or create a certain potion. Once the student had completed each task, they were free to leave.

OOC: Theoretical (written) exams are in the morning and practical exams are in the afternoons. Mandatory classes are covered the first couple of days while electives are handled on the final day. You are free to write for your examiner and choose the one you would like to work with. Have fun!

0 Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau R.A.T.S. Exams! 0 Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau 1 5

Maximilian Joshua McLachlan

September 14, 2013 8:40 PM

Oh, this again? by Maximilian Joshua McLachlan

Faces were one of the many things Josh had a hard time forgetting, so when he came into the R.A.T.S. exam on the first day, he recognized a few straight away. The one he'd taken his practical exam with was Langdon, whose first name he had forgotten, but she hadn't seemed as terrible as she looked. He hadn't been intimidated by her, having been raised by women with the same austere look and personality.

Josh had studied hard for these exams just as he had studied for his C.A.T.S. just a couple years before. He had passed with flying colors on those tests and R.A.T.S. exams would be no problem. He enjoyed learning in general so much that most of what he learned in class he studied already. It made studying for these exams in particular so much easier.

The theoretical exam was simple enough and Josh expected nothing less than an O on it. Today was on Charms and Transfiguration. Still, he was one of the last ones to turn his exam in simply to check on his answers and to mull over the ones he hadn't been confident on. The practical exams were next and he felt more confident about these than the theoretical. He half-hoped for Langdon since he had her for his CATS and was therefore a little more versed in what she expected, but his name was called instead by Aurora Septentrion. It was a little disappointing; just by her looks, he thought she was a bit young to be administering these tests, but he didn't say anything.

The Charms portion of it was very easy and Josh felt confident in what he was doing. There was a slight hiccup in the Transfiguration portion, however, when he had to direct a chess piece to in the proper motions provided. He had looked up once to see Septentrion writing something down on her clipboard and he frowned. He needed to do better. He finished successfully, at least, and thanked her for her time before leaving. She was very nice, but people who were a little too nice made Josh slightly uncomfortable. Though he had grown to accept the idea that some people were just genuinely nice people, it still wasn't something he was used to receiving.

Overall, Josh thought he did fairly well on his exams that day and was looking forward to getting the rest over with. He didn't want any more hiccups especially in the Potions portion so he aimed to study harder on that at once before the exam tomorrow.

19 Maximilian Joshua McLachlan Oh, this again? 184 Maximilian Joshua McLachlan 0 5