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 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.

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.