How can I pass Destruction magic test in College of Winterhold?

Solution 1:

According to the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages

If you agree, [Faralda] will randomly select one spell from any one of the five schools of magic for you to cast. This may be:

  • Casting a Firebolt at the eye-shaped seal next to her.
  • Conjuring a Flame Atronach on the seal.
  • Casting Fear at the seal.
  • Casting Healing Hands on her.
  • Casting Magelight at the seal.

If you do not have the spell she asks of you, she will offer to teach it to you for 30 gold. This is an easy and cheap way to learn any one of the above spells.

You must cast the spell at the circular impression in the floor behind her. Casting the spell in any other location will not progress the quest. However, if she asks you to conjure a Flame Atronach, and you already have a Flame Thrall summoned, simply exiting the conversation and speaking to her again will successfully progress the dialogue.

so doing all those things should eventually get you in if you've forgotten

there's something that starts with an A but I can't remember what it's called

this probably is the Flame Atronach so i would start with that. also keep in mind that these aren't all destruction spells

  • Firebolt = Destruction
  • Flame Atronach = Conjuration
  • Fear = Illusion
  • Healing Hands = Restoration
  • Magelight = Alteration

otherwise there's 2 other ways to get passed her without magic

Alternatively, you can attempt to persuade her and avoid this test. In order to persuade her, you will need a Speech skill of 100 (70 with the Persuasion perk) or an Amulet of Articulation, available only by completing the Thieves Guild questline and becoming Guildmaster. If you are on the quest Elder Knowledge you can also mention that you are Dragonborn. She will then ask to see a shout. Either of these will get you in without needing to cast a spell.

The Method using the shout would be the easiest since you would have gotten Unrelenting Force as apart of the questline