Hmm. True, I guess. And in that case I can only hope she'll take the thing after the LB. And in exchange for what just happened, let Nynaeve be one of those that control the ter'angreal and give her a taste of her own medicine. I'd imagine her tests would all have to do with power and authority. Perhaps you are right about the possible failing in that case. All it would take would be a test where Nynaeve is still Wisdom of Emond's Field and Egwene has to submit to her authority. You can bet that she'd ignore the hell outta that six pointed star in that scenario!

But what about other big players who have taken huge, necessary risks lately to make sure they're ready to handle what the DO is getting ready to throw at them? I know the Aiel aren't nearly as powerful as the White Tower, but hell, Aviendha could have failed the test of the columns, leaving the Aiel to do god-knows-what. Perhaps keep filing down their teeth and wander off into the Blight to supply the DO with his own Aiel. Hell, I don't know.

And Mat! I know he had a heavy prophecy looming over his head in regards to the Tower of Ghenjei, but he took a serious risk and proved himself to be pretty selfless, brave, and clever. Or Perrin putting his life on the line to understand the wolf dream and save a friend. Losing either of them would have been horrendous. A broken White Tower could not compare to losing either ta'veren.

And Nynaeve herself. I'm sorry, but she has been infinitely more important than Egwene for some time. What if she had died in the testing? In my opinion, that would have been far more detrimental to the Light than Egwene dying in the test. She's already given a pretty badass showing, and I think it's nothing compared to what she still has left to do. It's obvious she will play a huge role in helping Rand defeat the Dark One. I can think of nothing more important than that, at present.

Also, if your Amyrlin Seat cannot pass the basic test to become Aes Sedai, we've got an issue. And yeah, she might fail. She's a human being. She could have failed trying to break Mesaana's will, or with a Bloodknife sword through her neck. So why is the test so worrisome? I can't stand her at the moment, but I DO think she would pass. Plus, I believe it would be helpful to get her over the primal fear of the a'dam, which will come in handy with the Seanchan looming in the distance.