University of Virginia Library

EXAMINATIONS.

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

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.