 "Crystal Mask" suggests that (male) novices remain at the Echorium for nine years, and "Dark Quetzal" gives Kyarra, who is a year younger than the rest of her Final Year class, as eleven years old.Together, these statements suggest that novices begin classes at the age of three, but since boys in the class are expected to be older (since they enter puberty later) this figure may not be wholly accurate.Novices attend Singer-taught classes in many subjects, including the Songs, Diplomacy and History.