I half agree with your idea. I like the idea of quizes, and 'suggested' reading to take a quiz. However, I don't like it being a part of moving up levels. As you mentioned about this being a 'community', it is sort of the community helping you get up in level, rather than your Perl knowlege (which you will need some to get up in level based on the 'theme' of this community). People raise levels by being around, helping out, share their ideas, answer questions, ask questions, etc... I like how that works. The community here has some control of your community status, like in off-line communities (and companies).

So, I like this format. When you are an arse in your posts, people let you know. They also let you know that they like what you are saying... the more they like these things the higher (status?) level you earn. Having to take a quiz to move up a level may not be a good thing. I wouldn't want someone to be at a lower level because they know less Perl. And, I wouldn't want certain people to move up when consistenly being anti-community, but they can pass some quizes.

That being said (the half I don't like of the idea :), I do like the idea of quizes and such. I like it because the community could then really provide a way for people to learn. Of course, they can learn here now (in a hunt and peck sort of way) but quizes are a more structured way. Possibly having N number of quizes, and each quiz would have suggested readings (and maybe suggested exercises) before taking them.

So, if you wouldn't get levels, what would you get (except some learnin')? Well, maybe some 'badge' could show on home nodes. Or your name would be a special color in the CB and Other Users nodelet. Maybe by passing tests you can submit questions to previous tests. Who knows! But, I think this is a really good idea.

Cheers,
KM