PART VI. PAGE 513. OUR UNIVERSITY LOCAL AND HIGHER LOCAL EXAMINATIONS. THE COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS AND BIRKBECK LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. THE SCHOOLS EXAMINATION BOARD AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS FCR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION. EXAMINATIONS. THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. The Local Examinations were instituted in 1858, by Oxford and Cambridge Universities, to supply a common test of attainment both for pupils of public schools and for those privately educated. In the year 1869, and also in 1875, the compiler of this volume published two works, entitled the "Oxford and Cambridge Local Examination Record," wherein he tabulated the returns, showing at a glance what each school had done yearly, thereby giving the total results of fifteen years' Examinations. Copies of these works are still to be obtained. The first "Local Examinations" for persons "not members of the University," were held by the University of Oxford in June, 1858, and by the University of Cambridge in the following December. Subsequently other Universities followed the examples of Oxford and Cambridge, and "Local Examinations" are now also held by the Universities of Durham, Dublin (for women only), London (for women), Edinburgh, and the Queen's University in Ireland. These Examinations are conducted at various 16 centres throughout the country, by means of printed papers set by a central body of Examiners, and worked by the Candidates in the presence of Superintending Examiners appointed by the Universities. Oxford holds an Examination where a Local Committee is "prepared to undertake all those expenses which are occasioned by the Examination being local;" and Cambridge, where twenty-five fees, at least, are guaranteed. To meet the local expenses (of providing room, stationery, etc.), which are borne by the local Committees, a local fee," which varies at the different centres, is charged to each candidate, in addition to the University fees. For the first seven years the Cambridge Local Examinations were open to boys only; but in 1865 girls were admitted also; and after the scheme, as regards girls, had been tested for three years, it was made permanent. The Universities of Oxford, Durham, and Edinburgh have also similarly extended their Local Examinations. The conditions of examination, subjects, etc., are alike for boys and girls, but Cambridge does not publish the names of girls when friends do not desire such publication, merely giving the numbers by which candidates are known in the examination. The system pursued by each University in carrying out its Local Examinations is, in the main, the same; but while the other Universities award Certificates only, Oxford and the Queen's University in Ireland confer the title of. "Associate in Arts" upon successful Senior Candidates, and Durham that of "Literate." "The Student's Guide to the University of Cambridge" says :— "Oxford confers on those who pass the Senior Examination the title of Associate in Arts, and on the Juniors merely a Certificate; Cambridge gives a Certificate only to both classes. Oxford does not allow the fact that a Student has passed the Theological part of the Examination to be stated on the Certificate, unless he has been examined in the Prayer Book; Cambridge VOL. I. 33 does allow it. Oxford arranges the Candidates in the First Class in order of merit, the rest alphabetically; Cambridge arranges all alphabetically, but adds lists of those who have specially distinguished themselves. Oxford now also sets special books in languages for the Senior Examination; Cambridge does, but adds also some passages from other books than those set." As showing the valuable influence which these Local Examinations exercise, it may be mentioned that while, at the first Oxford Local Examination in 1858, only 430 Candidates were successful out of 1,151 who were examined, in the year 1882 the number of successful Candidates was 1,283 out of 2137 examined. The results of the Cambridge Local Examinations are still more remarkable. In 1858, Cambridge held its Examinations at eight centres" only, and the total number of students examined was but 370, of whom 217 gained Certificates; in 1882 there were 118 "centres," including Jersey, Trinidad, and Mauritius, and the number examined was 7,640, of whom 4,000 passed. 66 In 1882 the Cambridge examinations were held in December at 118 centres for boys and 104 for girls. Of the former, Bishop Auckland, Burnley, Chigwell, Hereford, Hoxton, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Leicester, Maritzburg, Rochester, Spalding, Truro, Woolwich, and Wrexham; and of the latter, Barnes, Burnley, Hoxton, Isle of Man, Leicester, Maritzburg, Richmond, Rochester, Sevenoaks, Silcoats, Spalding, Totteridge-park, Truro, Woolwich, and Worcester-park were new centres. It appears that in 1878 there were entered 3,329 junior boys, 1,483 junior girls, 626 senior boys, and 997 senior girls, making a total of 6,435. In 1882 the corresponding figures were 3,926 junior boys, 1,793 junior girls, 648 senior boys, and 1,273 senior girlstotal, 7,640. In 1882, of the 3,668 junior boys examined, 316 per cent. passed in honours, 41 per cent. not in honours, making a total passed per cent. of 726; the failures being 27 4 per cent. Of the 1,740 junior girls examined 23.6 passed in honours, 47.9 not in honours; the total number passed was 71.5, while the total failures were 28.5. Of the 605 senior boys examined 26 per cent. passed in honours, 31.7 per cent. not in honours57.7 per cent. total passes, while the total failures were 42.3 per cent. Of the 1,238 senior girls examined 13 per cent. passed in honours, 48 per cent. passed not in honours. The total passed was 56 per cent., while the total failures were 44 per cent. According to the twenty-fifth annual report of the Oxford delegates under the statute De Examinatione Candidatorum qui non sunt de Corpore Universitalis for the year 1882, which has just been issued by the Clarendon Press, the following information is given :-"The local examinations for the year 1882 began on the 5th of June, and were held at 35 centres, at 25 of which boys were examined, and at six boys only, and at four girls only. The number of candidates examined was 2,137, viz., 1,426 Juniors, and 711 Seniors. Of these, 822 Juniors and 461 Seniors passed, making a total of 1,283." In 1883 the number of candidates who presented themselves for examination were as under : 320 Senior Boys; 340 Senior Girls; 10 Musical Candidates. 670 Total 1,219 1,889 This shows a decrease of 461 Candidates in the last two years, viz. : 1881-Seniors 767, Juniors 1,575; total 2,342. 1882-Seniors 711, Juniors 1,426; total 2,137. 1883-Seniors 670, Juniors 1,219; total 1,889. OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATIONS. OXFORD UNIVERSITY LOCAL EXAMINATIONS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. These Examinations commence in June 1884. Candidates are examined in Oxford, and in such other places as the Delegates may appoint. An application to have a place appointed should come to the Delegates from the Local Committee, such Committee being prepared to guarantee the payment of £25, in case the fees paid by the Candidates should fall below that sum, and to undertake all expenses distinctly local. Application to be made before the 1st Feb., 1884. For Examinations in Oxford the forms may be obtained from G. E. Baker, Esq., Clarendon Buildings, Oxford. From other places from the Local Secretaries. No printed form will be issued at any place after April 8th, and no Candidate's name will be received at any place after April 15th. EXAMINATION OF JUNIOR CANDIDATES. Any person of either sex born on or after July 1st, 1868, may be received as a Candidate. No one born before that day can be received. The Subjects of Examination will be supplied by any of the Local Secretaries. EXAMINATION OF SENIOR CANDIDATES. (For the Title of Associate in Arts.) Any person of either sex born on or after April 30th, 1866, may be received as a Candidate. No one born before that day can be received. The Subjects of Examination will be supplied by any of the Local Secretaries. Girls may be examined at any place where boys are examined, and at such other places as the Delegates may appoint. But in every case the Delegates must first be satisfied, 1. That there is a Local Committee of ladies, who will efficiently superintend the examination of the girls; 2. That such Committee will see that girls who do not live in the place find suitable lodging and accommodation; 3. That the examination room for girls is quite separate from the room or rooms intended for the boys. Printed Forms, on which Candidates are to make application, will be prepared by the 1st of March, and may be obtained until Saturday, 7th of April, after which date none will be issued. The Forms for Junior and Senior Candidates are distinct. For the following places Forms may be obtained from the respective Local Secretaries, whose names are subjoined; from whom also copies of these Regulations and other necessary information may be procured. Girls may be received for Examination in Oxford and at those centres which are marked with *. *Bath (Boys)-H. D. Skrine, Esq., Guildhall; F. Ernest Shum, Esq., 3, Union Street. (Girls) Mrs. Jeffery, 9, Norfolk Crescent. *Bedford (Girls)—Mrs. Verey, 10, The Crescent. *Birmingham-G. W. Hickman, Esq., 20A, Temple Row. *Boston-G. Wise, Esq. |