To obtain a stage of scientist a character must spend time studying, learning, and practicing. The time required depends on two things: the stage of scientist you are studying, and your intelligence. A genius-minded being would gain a stage much quicker than a simple-minded being. The rule for gaining stages of scientist past first stage is (Time for previous stage X 2) + 1 month. The time taken for first stage depends on intelligence level according to the following table:
| Intelligence | Time for first stage |
|
7 - Hypernormal 6 - Genius 5 - Exceptional 4 - High 3 - Average 2 - Low 1 - Simple |
Nil 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 10 Months 25 Months |
Note that a character with hypernormal intelligence can achieve first stage scientist in an insignificant amount of time - approximately one standard day. A month is approximately 1/12 of a standard year. The time spent can be on their own studying or at a learning institute such as a university.
For example - a character with genius intelligence:
| Scientist stage earned | Time required |
| Biologist - 1st stage Biologist - 2nd stage Biologist - 3rd stage Mathematician - 1st stage Mathematician - 2nd stage Biologist - 4th stage |
1 month 3 months - (1 month X 2) + 1 month 7 months - (3 months X 2) + 1 month 1 month 3 months - (1 month X 2) + 1 month 15 months - (7 months X 2) + 1 month |
The character would be a fourth stage scientist and the total time taken to achieve the four stages of biologist and the two stages of mathematician would be 30 months. A character with only high (4) intelligence achieving the same stages of scientist would require 66 months of study.