University of Virginia Library

EXAMINATIONS.

The examinations are of three kinds: 1, the Daily examinations;
2, the Intermediate and Final general examinations; and 3, the
examinations for Graduation.

1.—DAILY EXAMINATIONS.

Each Professor, before commencing the lecture of the day, examines
his class orally on the subject of the preceding lecture as
developed in the text-book and expounded in the lecture.

2.—GENERAL EXAMINATIONS.

Two general examinations of each class are held during the session,
in the presence of a committee of Faculty, which every student
is required to stand. The first, called the Intermediate examination,
is held about the middle of the session, and embraces in its
scope the subjects of instruction in the first half of the course.
The second, called the Final examination, is held in the closing
week of the session, and embraces the subjects treated of in the
second half of the course. These examinations are conducted in
writing. The questions propounded have, each, numerical values
attached to them. If the answers of the students are valued, in the
aggregate, at not less than three fourths of the aggregate values
assigned to the questions, he is ranked in the first division; if less
than three fourths and more than one-half, in the second division;
if less than one-half and more than one-fourth, in the third division;
and if less than one-fourth, in the fourth division.

Certificates of distinction are awarded to those who attain the first
division at one or both of these examinations, and their names are
published or announced in the closing exercises of the session.

The general examinations are sufficiently comprehensive and difficult
to render it impossible for the student, without steady diligence,
to secure a place in the first division. The results, whatever
they may be, are communicated to parents and guardians respectively,
in the final circular of the session.

The standing of the student at the daily and general examinations
is taken into account in ascertaining his qualifications for graduation
in any of the schools.

3.—EXAMINATIONS FOR GRADUATION.

The examinations for graduation are held in the last month of
the session. They are conducted, in each school, by the Professor
thereof, in the presence of two other Professors, forming with him
the committee of examination for the school.

The candidates for graduation are subjected to searching interrogations
on the details and niceties, as well as the leading principles
of the subject, and they are expected to be accurately versed in all
the topics treated of in the lectures and correlative text.

These examinations are carried on chiefly in writing; but in some
of the schools they are partly oral.

☞ As a due acquaintance with the English language is indispensable
to the attainment of even the inferior honors of the institution,
all candidates for graduation are subjected to a preliminary
examination to test their qualifications in this respect.