The VHP tests offer the opportunity for participants to consolidate and reinforce all that they have learned during the Zman. The test is not simply an exercise of regurgitating information, but rather an opportunity to finish the Zman with a mastery in the learning. This is a tremendous opportunity. The successful completion of the tests are an essential step towards obtaining Smicha. Please see the ‘Semicha Outline’ on your dashboards for a full elucidation of the Semicha requirements.
Using notes
for the first two tests, you will be permitted to use your personal notes and Sefarim to aid your completion of the test. This exclusively means your personal notes, and not that of a friend or the VHP summary notes. After the first two tests, one can use private notes but not books or other people's notes.
Test sections
The VHP tests contain 3 distinct sections: ‘Part 1’ contains ‘multiple choice’ questions, ‘Part 2’ consists of ‘short answer’ questions, whilst ‘Part 3’ is one single ‘long answer’ question. Please note that participants should read the questions and the multiple-choice options (where relevant) very carefully before selecting an answer. In total, the tests are worth a total of 100 points.
Taking the test
We appreciate that taking the test is a time-consuming endeavour, and therefore we are allowing participants to take each ‘part’ of the exam in separate sittings. Therefore, one may choose to do the short answers on one day, and then multiple choice the next. However, one should complete each part in no more than one sitting.
Test grading
Once participants have completed the test, we hope that they will receive their grade within a few weeks. We will endeavour to return tests as quickly as possible. The grade for the multiple choice section shows up Immediately after completing that section.
There is no deadline for completing the test. Please notes however, that if one completes a test more than a month after its release, the time taken for grading will be longer. Moreover, we recommend completing tests as quickly as possible after their release, in order to not fall behind in the learning, and to ensure that the learning is still fresh in one’s mind. If there are any issues, concerns or delays in tests being graded, they should WhatsApp R' Adam Herszaft on +447852802801.