Not only do I think it's a bad idea, I cant think of anything worse.
The odd fiddle competiton with a £500 prize at county shows and similar events would be a bit of fun though. But spare us the selfappointed arbiters dishing out diplomas, whetehr at EFDSS or anyone else.
Studying folk music structure, or history, or whatever, is a perfectly reasonable acadamic topic, and obviously needs exams if people want degrees or doctorates in it. But I seriously dispute the need for exams(especially organised by EFDSS) in the performance aspects of it.
Folk music is only to be judged by the folk:OK?