Professor Exam

[Miamisportsfan45]

I recently took the professor exam about a month ago for the first time just because I've been wondering what the exam was like for a long time and I finally took the test to discover it. After being away for a few years, I still managed to come close to passing. Though, I got a few things wrong, so I'd like to know what is some good to know information that I may be tested on and some typical information as far as tournaments altogether seeing as I've been away. It's been a while since I've been to an event, so I don't quite remember some things that I should. Thanks!

Edit: Wrong location for this thread. Please move if at all possible. If not, please delete. Thanks again!

[wolfroke]

I've taken it twice because of some erretas -.-
so rule number one: you gotta know the mechanics like, inside and out. And go with what the ruling says on the site, not the newer cars say or something o.o
And Trans energy killed me like twice >.> something about moving multi to a special energy held pokemon o.o

[Patsfan112892]

they need to update it badly

[wolfroke]

oh yeah, like massively. They're still doing ruling on the last set, like lv X and all those old guys. They're still in DP, but you should know those since there isn't a difference in game mechanics.
Just know Gengar's always gonna be on it. The fainting spell one.

[K2theAblaM]

Originally Posted by Donphan

they need to update it badly

This.

All the questions about rulings and mechanics were regarding the SP engines and Lvl X's.

Time to update to HGSS-on.

[wolfroke]

Originally Posted by K2theAblaM

This.

All the questions about rulings and mechanics were regarding the SP engines and Lvl X's.

Time to update to HGSS-on.

Actually I haven't seen any SP engine mechanics so far.

[Maverick Nate]

I took it two or so months ago and there were still questions about EX Series cards

[JohnnyBlaze]

Yeah its in bad need of an update!!

[PokeMedic]

The test was designed to be failed. I had a whole exam that seemed dedicated to Diamond and Pearls introduction and fossils. Fossils.

[DukeFireBird]

So, nobody ever plays unlimited pokemon? Are those rulings not relevant anymore?

Test is designed to be about the card game as a whole, not just modified. I have had NO issues ever passing it.

[ShuckleLVX]

The test is designed to test you, not hand you the Professor title. I can tell you right now that with a strong knowledge of the mechanics of the game (NOT the cards), you can ace the test. I have, multiple times. Yes, they ask about older cards. Keeps you on your toes. As a Judge, you WILL run into cards you don't see often, or possibly haven't seen at all. You need to know how the game applies to every card, not just how one specific card relates to another specific card.

[wolfroke]

I do :p
Some of these questions have the wrong answer.
I've read that you CAN play fossils as your first pokemon if you have no other pokemon in your hand. In fact, you MUST play a fossil if you have it.
But regardless, I think I got it in the bag next time, i kept overlooking some stuff >.>

[DukeFireBird]

if you come across answers you thought were wrong, shoot an email with the Q/A and the reason you think your right to the professor exam email, and they will look into it. Ive done that for a few, and they noted it was old, and was going to be changed. My score was updated to reflect that also.

[Miamisportsfan45]

I think what I struggled with when I took it, was not knowing a good portion of the newer cards that they use as examples off the top of my head - I have comprehension issues; so when I read the cards I had to examine who's using what and what's happening with the occurrence forcing me pressured that I may run out of time. However, halfway through the test after I got a good idea, I just kind of gave up on the test. However, I was surprised to see that I got a lot of answers right because of my knowledge a while back. So now, I'm just interested in getting it just to say I can and have.

[Donrott15]

were do you take it at?

[Kabigon_Jr]

Originally Posted by Donrott15

were do you take it at?

www.pokemon.com under your account managment there should be the professor program tab. click it and you have the option of taking the professor exam.

I remember taking the exam when I was 15 (at the time that was the age you could take the exam) and almost passed with little judging experience. Over the years, the test keeps in tact different Pokemon mechanics, and sees if you are knowledgeable of all the rules, not just what is current. Actually, the questions have similar rulings that are used in the current format. Correct me if I'm wrong though, but I do remember when the test actually asked us parent rulings, and I was stumped every time lol.

[PokeMedic]

Originally Posted by HypnosProjectHQ

My girlfriend just retook her exam this weekend. According to the exam, Rare Candy is used on turn one, Trainers are not playable on the first turn, and Lv X's and EX's are all the exam is about... How about some questions about Legends?

And to be totally honest, no... no one really does play unlimited anymore except for your occasional league.

My league us unlimited and I run unlimited tournaments. It sure gives a greater oppertunity to practice things I might need to know.

The test is designed to be difficult. It's designed to have players fail it unless they have extensive knowledge of the game and are very good at literally reading between the lines. It's like a reading test almost, too. Study rulings, read all those crazy PDF tournament manuals that Pokemon has available online, and remember to follow an order of operations. Study up on game mechanics between Team Rocket and Diamond and Pearl because you weren't playing the game during that time and the test will be all about things that happened in that time and WHY YOU GOTTA GO AND TEST ME ON THAT


I won't really complain about the test. My whole life as it is right now is all train, test, re-certify, train, test, re-certify. I'm used to that. I have to say something about this though:

Me: Man, that professor test sure is hard
Professor Bob: Nah, I passed it on the first go. It was easy
Me:

[Miamisportsfan45]

Originally Posted by HypnosProjectHQ

My girlfriend just retook her exam this weekend. According to the exam, Rare Candy is used on turn one, Trainers are not playable on the first turn, and Lv X's and EX's are all the exam is about... How about some questions about Legends?

And to be totally honest, no... no one really does play unlimited anymore except for your occasional league.

I wonder if they're changing rules back then, because I took it about 3 months ago and it was all Lv X and Lost Zone questions... Nothing about ex's at all.

[JohnnyBlaze]

Originally Posted by HypnosProjectHQ

My girlfriend just retook her exam this weekend. According to the exam, Rare Candy is used on turn one, Trainers are not playable on the first turn, and Lv X's and EX's are all the exam is about... How about some questions about Legends?

And to be totally honest, no... no one really does play unlimited anymore except for your occasional league.

See this is a perfect example of what we are trying to convey in this post. Rare Candy is no longer allowed on Turn 1, Trainers can now be played on Turn 1, there is also an outdated Unown rule in there. The Professor exam is in need of an update every single year!! Right now when newer players take it to try to become a Professor they are just schooled in the new rules. So all these outdated questions are making the Professor exam look like a joke!!

[Miamisportsfan45]

I took the exam last night again. A lot of LV. X questions got me, too. I never really played LV. X, but I figured it shouldn't be too much different than last time. Just considered as another evolution? I tried to use common sense. But there were a LOT of Fossil questions and LV. X questions being covered.

[espeon200]

Word is that newer professor test questions are coming. Don't remember where I heard that, but I think that we won't likely see any until after Worlds as this is a pretty busy time of year for TPCi what with Nationals and Worlds as well as a new set coming out.

[Miamisportsfan45]

Originally Posted by espeon200

Word is that newer professor test questions are coming. Don't remember where I heard that, but I think that we won't likely see any until after Worlds as this is a pretty busy time of year for TPCi what with Nationals and Worlds as well as a new set coming out.

That's good to know. I look forward to it then. Hopefully then I'll be more familiar with the rulings (seeing as they won't be X related.) So which rulings have changed since then? I knew there were questions regarding new fossil rulings, supporter, and stadium rulings. What's good to know about these?

[evil psyduck]

Just because there may be a new test coming doesn't mean it won't have questions about Lv X or ex's.

[Miamisportsfan45]

That's True Psyduck, but it should ease up from them by a lot since it's meant to be for current modification.

[evil psyduck]

Show me where it say it is meant for current format only?