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.

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.

GENERAL EXAMINATIONS.

Two general examinations of each class are held during the session
in the presence of a committee of the 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 student 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.

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 chiefly carried on 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 any of the honors of the Institution, all candidates
for graduation are required to exhibit in their examination due
qualifications in this respect.