The Examinees/Candidates

Who may take the GOE?

  • Anyone may be nominated to take the GOE, and it is preferable for that person to have completed 2½ years of a 3-year program leading to the degree of Master of Divinity. Bishops and seminary deans usually nominate Candidates. Within the last five years, Candidates from 95 out of 105 dioceses have taken the GOE.

What if English is not the Candidate's first language?

  • At the very beginning of the exam, the GBEC asks the Candidate to identify that fact. Examining Chaplains, Readers and others involved in the process account for that in the evaluation. The GBEC may further accommodate Candidates (e.g., translation of the exam or of the responses) on an individual basis.

What if accident, illness or a death in the family occurs during the examination period?

  • The GBEC provides for such events on an individual basis.

How does the GBEC accommodate disability?

  • The GBEC provides for learning or physical disability on an individual basis.