These monks join the monastery as novices at a young age, the average age being 14 years old. For the next 15 years or so, these novices pass through studies of sutras, logic, debate, ritual, chanting, mudra practice, mandala art, sculpture and Bhikkhu ordination.

New monks are required to take an oral examination. The minimum preparation time for this examination is one year. This includes the memorization of ritual texts on Guhyasamaja, Yamantaka, Mahakala and Kalarupa. The exam tests the memorization of the monks and lasts for 5 hours. After successful completion of this exam the monks are allowed to join the sangha community for prayers in the main shrine hall.

This includes the memorization of 30 pages of text and takes at least one year in preparation time. This is a 2 hour examination.

In between the second and the third examinations the monks also have examinations on mandala and butter sculpture making, the use of ritual instruments and the use of mudras (hand gestures) during rituals.

This includes the memorization of the Guhyasamaja, Yamantaka and Heruka initiation texts, the ritual texts for consecration (rabney) ceremonies, and the "chankar" ritual texts (texts associated with the making of protection amulets).

The preparation time for this examination is about 3 to 4 years. The abbot will test, at random, the monks’ memories on these texts. The examination takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.

After completion of the third exam, the monk will go on to take his Bhikkhu ordination. This is usually performed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala during Tibetan New Year ceremonies.

On becoming fully ordained monks, they will study commentaries on the tantric texts for one year. Prior to this, they were only involved in the memorization of these texts.

Since 1984, the course of study has been extended, on the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. On top of the traditional studies, monks now study an additional 8 years on Buddhist Dialectics and Tantric Commentaries, with an exam after each year. A Kyerimpa monks' monastic education then consists of a minimum of 15 years of study, ending in the Ngagrampa degree or the equivalent of a Ph.D in Buddhist Tantra.

After obtaining a Geshe degree from one of the the three great monasteries (Gaden, Drepung or Sera) monks can enter the Gyudmed Tantric Monastery for further advanced tantric studies. After the 20 years or more of study required for the Geshe degree (Ph.D in Buddhist Sutra) at their home monasteries, these monks come to Gyudmed for one or two years of in-depth tantric studies. This being very important for the completion of their monastic education and qualifying them as fully educated Bhikkhus of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism.