Today's academic work is keyed to a fast-moving world. Young people must prove that they can both assimilate and utilize knowledge. They are tested and retested on their ability to call forth for practical use, when needed, what they have been learning.

An examination is designed to determine what one knows, not what one does not know. The college student who is a Christian Scientist learns that he has the ability to think intelligently at all times, for this ability stems from God, the all-knowing Mind. The understanding of this great fact is of inestimable value at examination time.

But it goes without saying that the student must apply himself in study if he expects to pass his academic work. Indeed, Mrs. Eddy on page 3 of Science and Health gives some counsel that may be applied in various fields of endeavor. First she questions, "Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem?" Then she declares, "The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution."

So the Christian Scientist knows that if he will continually apply himself to his academic work throughout the semester, he can make practical use of his Godgiven ability to think intelligently, to assimilate the necessary knowledge, and to pass his examinations. Of special meaning to him are Paul's words to young Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15).

Some students regrettably attach too little importance to daily quizzes and weekly tests. They let them slide and wait for "finals," forgetting that frequent proof of what one knows is an accurate gauge of progress.

Progress is one of God's laws, and if one is to be successful, he must look upon progress as a natural component of learning. We demonstrate progress as the result of being obedient to the First Commandment (Ex. 20:3), "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

One's ability to pass an examination usually indicates how well one has participated in a given course—what one has thought about the material presented by the professor, and how well one has followed him; in other words, how much one has done with the opportunity afforded him. Motives determine decisions and actions. One should ask oneself: "Am I consistently attentive in my daily study, absolutely punctual at class lectures and recitations? How accurately do I do my assignments? Do I give undivided attention to the work in the classroom and in the laboratories? Am I honest?"

Because achievement in a subject is in proportion to the attention given it, one must scrutinize his motives in the light of the Christ, Truth, learn discipline, and be able to answer these questions in the affirmative. When one can honestly say that he has done his best academically and has consciously sought to express the intelligence of divine Mind, then he will have success at examination time. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 199)."The devotion of thought to an honest achievement makes the achievement possible."

Sometimes there may be a student who thinks that it is extremely difficult for him to take examinations. Whether his reason for so thinking springs from a sense of inferiority, insecurity, tenseness, or fear, this belief can be dispelled with the correct understanding of man's relationship to God.

The real man is created by divine Love, God. This spiritual man is God's reflection, inseparable from Him. What God knows, man knows; an understanding of this makes right accomplishment possible.

An undergraduate in a large university had to face within a two-day period final examinations in history, English, and psychology. She felt that the examination schedule was too heavy and the time too limited for her to review the subjects properly. This made her feel frustrated and tense. She couldn't seem to think clearly. As she sought a solution for her disturbed mental state, her thought turned to God for help.

Prayerfully she began to express gratitude to God for the blessings she had already received and for His ever-present goodness. She acknowledged that God is divine Mind, infinite intelligence, ever expressing Himself in spiritual ideas. She had learned in Christian Science that the man of God's creating is the image and likeness of this infinite Mind, the compound of all right ideas and qualities. So she knew that as Mind's idea she reflected divine intelligence.

Turning to Mrs. Eddy's writings for added inspiration, she gained it through studying such words as "comprehension," "certainty," and "perception," found in the Concordance to these writings. She discovered that as she embraced these qualities in her consciousness and expressed them, she was able to learn what was needed, to retain it, and to use it.

Her fear and frustration were replaced with a peaceful sense of her coexistent relationship with God as His idea. She was able to study longer periods of time, assimilate the material faster, and she became more confident. The examinations were taken with poise and assurance, and the results were excellent.

On page 230 of "Miscellaneous Writings," our Leader declares, "Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing." And she adds, "If one would be successful in the future, let him make the most of the present."

The Christian Scientist makes the most of his present opportunity to obtain an education when he applies the teachings of his religion to his schoolwork. And he will find when his knowledge is tested—both in school and out of it—that Christian Science enhances his ability to measure up to the demands of a fast-moving world.