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SeeD Exam

Final Fantasy VIII - SeeD Exam

Students at Balamb Garden who want to become SeeD must pass written and field examinations. After the written exam, the SeeD candidate Squall is required to visit the Fire Cavern to defeat and obtain the Guardian Force Ifrit; this is where the game starts.


After this, Squall, under the command of his rival Seifer, travel to Dollet for their field exam; Galbadian Forces have infiltrated the town and the town sent a request for SeeD be dispatched to stop them. During the field exam, you are awarded and deducted points based on a variety of requirements.


Below are the categories that you are judged on and the requirements to get the best points. Your initial rank upon completion of the Field Exam is calculated like this:

Initial Rank = ((500 + Sum of Points)/100) + Bonus


The image to the left shows that perfect scores were obtained in Judgment, Attack, Spirit, Deductions and the Bonus but 30 points scored for Conduct. In this case, the Conduct score gave 0 modifier points (see below) but the others gave 1000 points so, after the math, SeeD Rank 10 was achieved.

Judgement (Fire Cavern)

Judgement is based on the Fire Cavern Event. The less time left on the clock when you beat Ifrit, the better your score will be.


The timer continues even when the game is paused and continues until Ifrit's name is confirmed after defeating him. You must beat Ifrit with about 25 seconds on the clock and go as fast as you can through the victory screens and confirm Ifrit's name.


Having your own timer going at the same time will help achieve this.

Time Remaining Score Points
0:00 - 0:07 100 100
0:08 - 0:29 90 80
0:30 - 0:59 80 70
1:00 - 1:59 70 50
2:00 - 2:59 60 30
3:00 - 9:59 50 0
10:00 - 10:59 40 -50
11:00 - 11:59 30 -60
12:00 - 12:59 20 -70
13:00 - 13:59 10 -90
14:00 - 14:59 5 -90
15:00 + 0 -100

Conduct (Dollet)

During the Dollet Field Exam, you will be given the order to retreat; you have 30 minutes to get back to the shore where you landed. Your score here is based on how much time is left on the timer.


If you are not going for the Bonus; dodge X-ATM092 and end any battles as quick as you can.


If you are going for the Bonus, you can sacrifice time here but you need to get to the beach with more than 10 minutes left.

Time Remaining Score Points
25:00 + 100 80
24:59 - 24:00 90 70
23:59 - 23:00 80 60
22:59 - 22:00 70 50
19:59 - 19:00 60 30
18:59 - 17:00 50 20
16:59 - 15:00 40 10
14:59 - 10:00 30 0
9:59 - 6:00 20 -30
5:59 - 3:00 10 -50
2:59 - 0:00 0 -100

Attack (Dollet)

The number of enemies your party defeats during the Dollet mission determines your Attack score; this includes fixed battles and Boss fights but does not include enemies defeated by Guardian Forces.


Even if an enemy's HP reaches zero more than once during a battle (i.e. X-ATM092) only the first time counts.

Enemies Defeated Score Points
75 + 100 100
50 - 74 80 75
25 - 49 80 50
20 - 24 50 50
15 - 19 30 10
10 - 14 20 -50
0 - 9 0 -100

Spirit (Dollet)

There is one scripted battle against X-ATM092 in the Dollet Field Exam, but you can battle it a number of times.


Every time you flee from X-ATM092, points will be deducted. If you are not planning on getting the Bonus, then using strategy to avoid it is your best option.



Times Escaped Score Points
1 100 100
2 70 50
3 - 4 50 0
5 - 9 30 -50
10 + 0 -100

Attitude (Dollet)

Many things determine your Attitude score; these are things you can do that earn you a deduction:

 

  • Ignoring Seifer's order to check outside on the vessel deducts 1 point.
  • The number of people you talk to during the Dollet Field Exam.
  • There is a 1 point deduction per conversation. This includes people you talk to in Balamb. (Seifer in main square after clearing it out is not included)
  • Talking to Biggs after defeating him will deduct 2 points.
  • 1 point is deducted every time you go towards the Communications Tower before Seifer commands you to.
  • Each time you jump off the cliff shortcut to reach the Communications Tower results in a 5 point deduction.
  • You lose 10 points if you fail to save the Dog while passing through Dollet's town square during your escape from Dollet.
  • If you run into the Cafe to escape from X-ATM092, you lose 20 points.


A single deduction can cost you 30 points.

Total Deduction Points Score Points
0 100 100
1 - 8 80 70
9 - 13 70 50
14 - 17 50 30
18 - 24 30 0
25 - 29 10 -50
30 - 39 10 -60
40 - 49 10 -80
50 + 10 -100

Bonus - Dollet

You will receive a 100 point bonus if you destroy the X-ATM092. Depending on your level, it will have between 5072 - 5872HP. It can't be destroyed in the first fight at the Communications tower but if you encounter it any other time, it will repair itself after receiving 20% damage and it can do this 5 times; this means you will have to hit it for 10144 - 11744HP to defeat it in one battle.


Below is a basic strategy, there are some more advanced ones but I don't really think it is required. To get the highest SeeD rank of 10 you can sacrifice time if you are going for this Bonus; as long as you get to the shore with 10 minutes or more left, you will be fine.


Strategy:


  • X-ATM092 is weak to lightning; casting Double on each character will allow for 6 attacks per turn.
  • Selphie's Slot Limit Break can be useful to get stronger magic such as Thundara, Thundaga, Holy, Meteor or Ultima for greater damage.
  • Squall's Renzokuken Limit Break always hits 4 times.
  • Don't queue up too many attacks as it can delay the repair sequence and time is of the essence.
  • Wait until after the 5th repair to summon a GF as this can delay the repair sequence as well.
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