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 month 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 proper 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.