We too had to write an essay; it was judged not only on what we knew, but also on grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation. That exam was harder than the SAT, when the SAT really MEANT something. LOL
LOL We had the same! Our pastor was a slave driver and he taught the classes. We were scared to death of him. PLUS my Dad was on the Council that quizzed us and I was a nervous WRECK. Lutherans took catechism (confirmation) classes VERY VERY seriously!