PORTSMOUTH — It takes a lot of steps to get on a television game show like “Jeopardy!” and two professors at Shawnee State University have passed through several steps so far.

SSU Professor of English Darren Harris-Fain and Associate Professor of English Carlson Yost both took tests to appear on the television game show and they both passed. After passing the test, Harris-Fain auditioned for the game show on June 3 in Raleigh, N.C.

People who take the test are not told their score when they are finished and are not told what the passing score is, but if the person passes the test they are considered for an audition.

If more people pass the test than there are audition slots for a city, they do a random selection. It can take several months to hear anything about the audition.

Both Harris-Fain and Yost have tested and auditioned before, with Harris-Fain auditioning in 2007 and Yost auditioning in 2008.

“I think it went very well,” Harris-Fain said. “The first time I did this, I wasn’t nearly as prepared and knowing what to expect made me more confident and relaxed.”

Along with auditioning twice for “Jeopardy,” Harris-Fain also appeared on the television game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” in April 2000.

“I feel that the best part of the audition was that I feel I did everything well and that I have a better shot at getting called to be on the show this time,” Harris-Fain said.

If Harris-Fain is selected to appear on “Jeopardy!,” he will be contacted before December of 2011, he said.