1. What is the National Mythology Exam (NME)?
The National Mythology Exam is an annual assessment administered by the American Classical League (ACL) to students in the United States who are studying classical mythology. The National Mythology Exam is taken by over 9,000 students from around 400 schools globally each year. The American Classical League (ACL) and the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) are committees dedicated to encouraging students to develop an interest in Greek, Latin, and Roman languages, literature, and culture. They promote teaching in these areas, and host various Latin language competitions annually for students to participate in, and the National Mythology Exam is one of them. For other related exams, please go to 6 Latin Exams in 2024 to Test Your Latin Knowledge for more information.
The National Mythology Exams consist of two tests: The Pegasus Mythology Exam, designed for students in grades 3-8, and the Medusa Mythology Exam for those in grades 9-12.
2. National Mythology Exam Timeline
Cost: $20 per school for registration cost, $6.50 for online test and $8.50 for paper test
Eligibility:
- Pegasus Mythology Exam: students in grades 3 to 8
- Medusa Mythology Exam: students in grades 9 to 12
Exam Categories:
- Pegasus Mythology Exam for students in grades 3 to 8
- Medusa Mythology Exam for students in grades 9 to 12
Pegasus Mythology Exam Period:
- Registration period: September 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024
- Administration period: February 12 to March 8, 2024
Medusa Mythology Exam Period:
- Registration period: September 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024
- Administration period: March 18 to April 5, 2024
3. The Pegasus Mythology Exam
The Pegasus Mythology Exam tests students’ understanding of classical mythology in connection to global literature, art, and contemporary culture. It aims to engage students in mythological studies and is open to over 6,000 students from around 450 schools globally.
2023-2024 Theme: HERACLES/HERCULES
Exam Details
- Format: Multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Registration: September 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024
- Exam Results: Notified via email by the end of April
Awards
- Perfect Paper: Gold Medal + Award Certificate
- Summa Cum Laude: Gold Medal + Award Certificate
- Maxima Cum Laude: Silver Medal + Award Certificate
- Magna Cum Laude: Bronze Medal + Award Certificate
- Cum Laude: Award Certificate
Registration: School Teachers or parents (if students are home-schooled) can register on the official website.
4. The Medusa Mythology Exam
The Medusa Mythology Exam recognizes and acknowledges students’ excellence and passion for Greco-Roman mythology. It also aims to enhance their understanding of the ancient world and its impact on contemporary society. While this exam’s content also changes each year to reflect a unique theme, it consistently covers a broad array of ancient Greco-Roman mythological topics and characters, including those that have historically been underrepresented, such as the stories of mythological women.
2023-2024 Theme: WHAT HAPPENS IN TARTARUS…
Exam Details
- Format: 40 multiple-choice questions, including at least 1 visual question
- Registration: September 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024
- Exam Dates: March 18 to April 5, 2024
- Results: Sent out in mid-May
Awards
- Perfect Paper: Special Certificate + Recognition of Excellence
- Summa Cum Laude: Gold Medal + Award Certificate
- Maxima Cum Laude: Silver Medal + Award Certificate
- Magna Cum Laude: Ribbon + Award Certificate
- Cum Laude: Award Certificate
Students who win the Summa Cum Laude award (gold medal) are invited to participate in the Medusa Creative Writing Contest.
Registration: School Teachers or parents (if students are home-schooled) can register on the official website.
5. Is the National Mythology Exam Hard? Why Should I take it?
While there isn’t specific statistical data available on the national average or score distribution for the National Mythology Exam, feedback from students who have taken the test suggests that it is considered challenging. The difficulty level may vary for individuals based on their familiarity with classical mythology.
Compared to the National Latin Exam, which attracted 98,803 students, the Medusa Mythology Exam is smaller—typically attracting around 9,000 students a year; while the Pegasus National Mythology Exam is given annually to over 6,000 students from approximately 450 schools nationally and internationally. However, the lower number of students doesn’t make earning higher awards easier. Awards are distributed proportionally based upon the annual, national averages for the exam.
6. How should I prepare for the National Mythology Exam?
To best prepare for the National Mythology Exam, we have compiled a list of resources to help students study effectively and practice before the exam:
Study the Syllabus: The Pegasus Mythology Exam bibliography on the National Mythology Exam website lists all required readings for this exam, and the Medusa Mythology Exam syllabus lists all required readings respectively. Additionally, Excellence Through Classics has released an activity packet with printable activities for students to purchase here.
Understand the Exam Format: To familiarize yourself with the exam structure and questions, students should do a practice test using last year’s exam, or practice with general mythology example questions from ETC.
7. Participate in Aralia’s Classical Classes
Embark on a journey into the classical world with Aralia’s classical classes. Our courses are designed to immerse students in classical languages, literature, and culture, aligning seamlessly with the renowned competitions hosted by the American Classical League (ACL) and the National Junior Classical League (NJCL). From mastering Latin for the National Latin Exam (NLE) to exploring the depths of mythology for the National Mythology Exam (NME), our curriculum prepares students for success in various competitions. We take pride in the achievements of our students, with notable accomplishments such as securing a Silver Medal in the 2023 US National Latin Examination.
Aralia's Courses
This class, which is offered every year, provides students with the opportunity to prepare for the National Mythology Exam, an annual assessment offered to students in the United States who are studying classical mythology. Throughout the course, students will engage in practice exams and learn various strategies designed to enhance their performance in the exam.
