EXAMINATION BOARD

Under a fully developed tutorial system such as the CRIMSON outlined on Friday and Saturday of last week, one of the initial problems to be solved would be that of examinations. Since the course system would be abolished and since it would create a chaotic situation for every tutor to grade his own tutees, the only solution would be the creation of a special board in every department to set the examinations in the manner that the Senior divisionals are set at present. These examinations, coming at the end of the year, would contain a great number of alternative questions to allow for differences in preparation. There would be no other tests or quizzes during the year, unless required by tutors in individual cases.

The suggestion for having all examinations set by an impartial outside body is one which is equally pertinent under the present course system. So long as the instructor in charge of a course determines the questions to be asked on the examinations, the inevitable tendency is for the students to return the instructor's ideas to him without any attempt at critical understanding. If the examinations were taken out of the hands of the men who actually give the various courses, students would be encouraged to rely much more on independent work and much less on the ability to regurgitate the professors' ideas.

It becomes apparent, therefore, that one of the first steps toward a real tutorial system and at the same time an improvement of the existing course system is the setting up in each department of a central committee to prescribe examinations for all courses. Hour examinations in all except Freshman courses should be eliminated at once; mid-years had probably best be retained in addition to finals so long as the course system remains.