Antietam Battlefield Guides will be offering the written examination to individuals interested in becoming certified battlefield guides at 9AM on January 14, 2012 at the Sharpsburg Area Rescue Service, 110 1/2 West Chapline Street, Sharpsburg.  The first step in the process for signing up for this examination is to submit a guide application. Due to the great level of interest in this examination, we will be prescreening all applications prior to reserving a seat for you at the test site.

Attached is a copy of the guide application and guide agreement.  Please read the agreement carefully as it outlines your obligations and responsibilities as a battlefield guide after you have completed all examinations and training.

Complete the attached application paying particular attention to the areas where you address your current background and interests in the Civil War and the Maryland Campaign and why you want to become an Antietam Battlefield Guide.  Also be sure to include two references.  Submit your application no later than December 19, 2011.  You may drop it off at the Museum Bookstore at Antietam National Battlefield or mail it to Post Office Box 692, Sharpsburg, Maryland.

There is a $50 administrative charge associated with taking this examination.  This charge is waived for individuals who are re-testing.  Do not send money at this time.

Test Description: This examination evaluates your knowledge of the Maryland Campaign.  The test consists of five parts.  Part 1 contains 212 multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, timelines, and short answer (one or two-word) questions organized within the following topic areas:  Maryland Campaign, Harpers Ferry, South Mountain, Battle of Antietam (overall), Cornfield, West Woods,  Sunken Road, Middle Bridge, Burnside Bridge, Final Attack, Aftermath, Civilians, Medical, Park History (including monuments), and Historiography. Part 2 consists of four maps where you will identify key terrain, landmarks and troop dispositions.  Part 3 includes a number of period photographs where you will identify the location of the photograph.  Part 4 is a series of short answer questions. You should be able to answer these questions in two or three sentences. Part 5 consists of two essays.  There are two groups of possible essay questions.  Select one topic from each group.  Each of your essays should be about one page in length. You will have 2½ hours to complete the examination.

To be accepted as a guide candidate, you must score 85% overall on the objective questions of the examination and in each of the topic areas listed above (i.e. Harpers Ferry, Sunken Road, Medicine, Park History). Essay questions are GO or NO GO.  You must achieve a GO on both of your essay questions.

If you are ready to begin the process, we look forward to receiving your application.