Magic Aptitude Test

A Magic Aptitude Test is a test that assesses an individual's ability to comprehend and apply their knowledge of magic in the Aeon of the Champion story series. The phrase is a catch-all used to describe a number of different assessments; specifics will be required when referring to an individual type of magic.

Test structure
The first part of the test, usually considered the easiest, normally consists of general knowledge questions asking the candidate to retrieve a certain piece of information. This is not always given in the text. The second part of the test asks the candidate to apply their knowledge to a specific situation, usually by asking them to "correct/complete the spell" or something similar to this. The third section of the test is like the second, but tougher, referred to as 'advanced application of knowledge' (perhaps the candidate has to decode a spell to reveal its meaning).

The fourth section is notorious for being a laborious process, for it is the most difficult of all the sections. The average candidate is unable to answer the questions in the fourth stage of the test, as it measures the way in which the candidate themselves thinks (for instance, some arcane magic tests require lateral thinking).

The fifth section is a writing task, which suits some, but is oftentimes no easier than the fourth. Most tests end with this section, after around 1-1.5 hours' worth of writing.

Scoring system
The candidate usually does not receive their score; they are simply informed whether they passed or not. For this reason, the MAT scores (referred to as magic intelligence quotient) of specific characters is estimated. Estimations work because generally, the higher one's MAT score, the more proficient they are at controlling spells.

The scoring system ranks candidates based on MAT performance, taking into account the different sections they scored well/poorly in. These ranks are almost always used by schools of magic to decide which candidates to admit, and which class they will be assigned to. The ranks have five categories: ordinary, merited, differentiated, advanced and exceptional, with ordinary representing a "passing" grade (e.g. a 'C') and exceptional representing a student of extraordinary calibre (e.g. even higher than an A). The categories are a generalisation; each test will use its own scores.

Trivia

 * The MATs are based on real-life aptitude tests, such as the UKCAT and BMAT, which assess potential medical students.
 * MATs would be a lot harder than either of the two since they often involve a completely foreign language.
 * Because magic schools offer extremely limited placements (some classes, for instance, only admit 4-5) scoring an ordinary or even a merited may not be enough to qualify.
 * Most MATs, after the Common Assessment Standards Act passed in Northshire, have dropped the 'merited' category and now only work from ordinary, differentiated, advanced and exceptional. The 'merited' category was thought to be redundant.
 * The MAT is in many ways similar to an IQ test, as it involves abstract shapes and symbols that will confuse the average person.
 * Some people have criticised MATs for promoting 'elitism' even within an elitist circle (magic users), and for inflating the egos of the 0.3% who score exceptionals.
 * One may, if fortunate, be able to learn magic without a MAT, but it is increasingly difficult because such teachers are not afforded the protection of the authorities. Plus, it does not guarantee that the user will be able to use the spells they read (their 'aptitude' is what is important, not necessarily the desire to "throw fire at people").